Welcome to brat season! As the days get longer and the grills fire up, there’s nothing quite like gathering around for a delicious meal straight from the flames. Tonight, we’re elevating a classic with our incredible Honey Mustard Bacon Brats. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience – a symphony of savory bacon, juicy brats, and a tangy-sweet honey mustard sauce that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Get ready to dig in and discover your new favorite grilling recipe!
Understanding Brats: More Than Just Sausage
When you hear terms like “sausage,” “brats,” “bangers,” or “dogs,” it’s easy to think they’re all interchangeable. While they all fall under the umbrella of fresh sausage links, each has its distinct characteristics that make it special. Sausage, in its broadest definition, refers to ground meat, often mixed with spices, herbs, and sometimes other ingredients, then typically encased in a casing or sold in bulk. It can be found in various forms, from fresh to dried, smoked to cured.
Bratwurst, affectionately known as “brats,” is a specific type of fresh link sausage with a rich history, predominantly hailing from Germany. Traditionally, brats are made from finely minced pork, beef, or veal, or a combination of these, seasoned with a unique blend of spices such as marjoram, caraway, nutmeg, and ginger. This specific composition gives bratwurst its signature taste and texture, setting it apart from other sausages. The meticulous preparation results in a robust, flavorful, and incredibly juicy sausage perfect for grilling, pan-frying, or simmering in beer.
While many types of sausage are wonderful, brats hold a special place in the hearts of grill masters and food enthusiasts, particularly in regions like Wisconsin, which has a deeply rooted bratwurst culture. This recipe celebrates that tradition by infusing a classic brat with bold new flavors.
This post is sponsored by Bertolli, but all opinions expressed are entirely our own.
Yesterday, we shared our vibrant cowboy caviar recipe, and today, we’re bringing you the star of the show – the main course that perfectly complements it. This dish is undeniably awesome, packed with rich, savory flavors. For lighter salads like our cowboy caviar, you might opt for a delicate extra virgin olive oil. However, when crafting something warm, comforting, and intensely savory – aiming for that full umami, rich, and meaty experience – you’ll want to switch to Bertolli Pure Olive Oil.
The Secret to Perfect Grilling: Choosing the Right Olive Oil
Many home cooks are taught that cooking with olive oil over high heat is a mistake, fearing it will burn. While this can be true for extra virgin olive oil, it’s crucial to understand the different types of olive oil and their ideal uses. Bertolli 100% Pure Olive Oil is specifically refined to have a higher smoke point compared to extra virgin varieties. This means it can withstand higher temperatures before it starts to smoke and break down, which can impart an undesirable flavor to your food. This characteristic makes it the perfect companion for high-heat cooking methods such as grilling, sautéing, and roasting, where intense heat is required to achieve that coveted sear and a beautifully caramelized exterior.
Extra virgin olive oil, with its robust, fruity flavor and lower smoke point, is best reserved for finishing dishes, dressings, or light sautéing. Using it for grilling brats would indeed cause it to smoke quickly, diminishing its delicate flavor and potentially charring your food. Bertolli Pure Olive Oil, on the other hand, offers a milder flavor that won’t overpower the rich taste of the brats and bacon. Its versatility and high smoke point ensure that your grilling experience is not only flavorful but also free from burnt oil residue, allowing the true flavors of your ingredients to shine through.
So, bust out your Bertolli Pure Olive Oil, and let’s get grilling! Whether it’s a sunny summer afternoon or a chilly winter evening (we’ve been known to grill even in the snow!), the grill is calling. First, make sure your grill grates are clean. Then, using a wad of paper towel dipped in the pure olive oil, carefully brush the grill grates to prevent sticking and ensure a beautiful sear. Heat your grill to a high temperature. Once properly heated, place your brats on the hot grates to achieve a fantastic initial sear. This quick high-heat step creates a delicious crust. After a minute or two on each side, reduce the grill to low heat. This lower temperature allows the brats to cook through slowly and evenly, ensuring they remain incredibly juicy and flavorful without drying out. Close the lid and let them cook, turning occasionally to ensure even browning on all sides.
Is It Safe for Brats to Be Pink in the Middle?
A common concern when cooking pork products, including brats, is the internal temperature and color. For years, the recommended cooking temperature for pork was often higher, leading to dry, overcooked meat. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revised its guidelines, lowering the recommended safe internal cooking temperature for whole cuts of pork to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). This temperature should be measured with a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the brat.
What this means for your brats is that a slight pinkness in the middle is perfectly acceptable and, in fact, desirable! At 145°F, the meat is safe to eat, and it will be much juicier and more tender than if cooked to a higher temperature until all traces of pink disappear. So, don’t be alarmed if your perfectly cooked brats have a hint of rosy hue; they are not only safe but also at their peak flavor and texture. Just remember to always use a reliable meat thermometer for accuracy.
Crafting the Irresistible Bacon Honey Mustard Sauce
While your brats are sizzling to perfection on the grill, it’s time to whip up the star of our dish: an incredibly easy yet decadent bacon honey mustard sauce. This sauce is not just a condiment; it’s an essential layer of flavor that transforms good brats into truly amazing ones.
Again, for this sauce, your Bertolli Pure Olive Oil will shine. Its balanced flavor perfectly complements the meaty brats and the rich bacon, ensuring that the sauce enhances rather than detracts from the main ingredients. A lighter, fruitier oil like extra virgin might introduce notes that clash with the robust profile of this dish, so stick with the pure olive oil for optimal results.
The magic begins with the bacon. We prefer to cook the bacon in a skillet until it’s perfectly crisp. The key is not just to cook the bacon, but to leverage the flavorful rendered bacon grease. After removing the crispy bacon, we use the same pan to prepare the sauce. This ensures that every drop of savory bacon flavor infuses into the honey mustard concoction, adding an incredible depth that simply can’t be replicated any other way.
Our sauce boasts a delightful balance of flavors: the sharp tang of Dijon mustard, a sweet counterpoint from honey (a little nod to Wisconsin, the home of the brat!), and of course, that irresistible bacon. For Cade, our Southern Gentleman, bacon is always a welcome addition, and in this sauce, it truly shines. Fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous finish that ties all the components together beautifully.
Honey Mustard Bacon Brats: The Recipe
Honey Mustard Bacon Brats
Sweet Basil
10 mins
20 mins
30 mins
4 -6
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 6 Slices Bacon
- 1/4 Cup Bertolli Pure Olive Oil
- 2 Clove Garlic, minced
- 1/4 Cup Water
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- 1 Heaping Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro, chopped
For the Brats
- 4-6 Jalapeno or favorite Brats
- Good Quality Buns
- Bertolli Pure Olive oil
Instructions
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Heat a grill to high heat.
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Using a wad of paper towel dipped in Bertolli Pure Olive Oil, rub the grill grates with the oil.
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Place the brats on the grill and turn to low heat.
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Close the lid and cook, turning occasionally for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
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Meanwhile, brush the insides and outsides of your buns with Bertolli Pure Olive Oil. These will be toasted at the end of cooking for a wonderful texture.
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This step ensures the toasted bread can perfectly soak up that wonderful sauce.
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While the brats cook, prepare the sauce.
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In a bowl, whisk together the water, honey, Dijon mustard, and fresh cilantro.
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Set aside.
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Heat a skillet over medium heat and add half of the bacon.
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Cook until crisp, turning halfway through. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining bacon.
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Chop the crispy bacon. Drain most of the bacon grease from the pan, leaving about 1 teaspoon and any flavorful bits.
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Return the pan to medium heat and add the Bertolli Pure Olive Oil and minced garlic.
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Cook, stirring the garlic for just a few seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).
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Add the whisked honey mustard dressing to the pan and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Turn the heat to low and cook for 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir in the chopped bacon.
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Just before serving, place the brushed buns on the grill for a minute or two, until lightly toasted. Remove the cooked brats from the grill, place them in the toasted buns, and generously top with the warm Honey Mustard Bacon Sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We hope you enjoy these Honey Mustard Bacon Brats as much as we do! This recipe is a fantastic way to bring bold, comforting flavors to your table, perfect for any occasion, from backyard BBQs to cozy family dinners. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – we love hearing from you!
More Delicious Recipes to Try
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Citrus Greek Chicken – A light, zesty, and easy grilled chicken recipe perfect for any day of the week.
This article was written in partnership with Bertolli. The opinions and content are solely our own, reflecting our genuine experience with their products.