How to Cook Brats on a George Foreman Grill

Brats are a summer staple, but you can enjoy them year-round if you have a George Foreman Grill. Cooking brats on a George Foreman Grill is simple, quick and satisfying.

Brats, or bratwurst, are usually served on a bun with ketchup, mustard and other toppings, such as onions, but so are many other types of sausage. What makes brats different from these other sausages, such as hot dogs? Well, brats are simply one type of sausage.

Brats are made with coarsely ground meat, usually pork, beef or veal. This gives them a thicker and heavier texture than hot dogs, which are usually pre-cooked and emulsified into a paste, so they feel smooth in the mouth. No one single recipe for brats exists, but brat seasoning is distinctly German. The exact ratio varies from region to region. American brats have their own flavor too.

Read more: Can You Eat Sausages on a Low-Carb Diet?

Often, cooks simmer brats in beer before putting them on a bun. Grilling gives them a smoky, toasty quality that's irresistible. Hots dogs and brats cook up in about the same amount of time on the George Foreman Grill — anywhere from nine to 15 minutes.

For the perfect brat, follow the George Foreman Grill instructions. You're advised to preheat the grill first for about 10 minutes. Choose a medium heat setting.

If this is your first time using your George Foreman Grill, gently clean it with water and mild soap. Place your brats on the bottom grill plate. If you're cooking just one sausage, center it on the plate so it cooks evenly. If you have multiple sausages, place them about 1 inch apart, to make sure the heat distributes correctly.

Link sausages like bratwurst take nine to 15 minutes to cook, according to the George Foreman Grill instructions. The internal temperature must reach a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be safe to eat, according to the USDA. If you prefer your brat well-done, with no signs of pink, aim for an internal temperature of 170 F .

Prevent your brats from drying out too. Do not cook the sausages at too high a temperature or they'll dry out. If you pierce the sausages with a fork or knife while cooking, you release the moisture and also get a dry brat.

Grilling is generally considered a healthy way to prepare proteins. However, brats aren't considered a lean protein, such as white-meat poultry and white fish, or a healthy part of a regular diet.

A 4-ounce serving of bratwurst contains about 290 calories, 9 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrates and 23 grams of fat, 9 grams of which are the less desirable, saturated, type.

Read more: How Much Saturated Fat Should You Have Per Day?

Compare these stats to those of 4 ounces of lean chicken breast prepared on a grill. The chicken contains 170 calories, 34 grams of protein, 0 grams of carbohydrates and 3.6 grams of fat, 1 gram of which is saturated.

The European Journal of Epidemiology published a large study in April 2019, describing a relationship between the consumption of processed meat and red meat and increased risk of early death. Basically, diets rich in foods like brats, ham, bacon and red meat greatly raise your risk for cardiovascular and respiratory disease and cancer. An occasional brat is OK, but choose fresh vegetables, chicken and fish more often.