Copycat Johnsonville Bratwurst Recipes

HOMEMADE BRATWURST

Steps:

• Cut the pork and beef into 2 inch cubes.
• Grind through a 1/4 inch grinding plate.
• If you do not have a meat grinder you can pulse it in your food processor in SMALL batches.
• In a small mixing bowl beat eggs and beer together until well blended.
• Add dry ingredients.
• In a large mixing bow combine the ground meat and wet mixture until well incorporated.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours, up to 24.
• The longer the better.
• At this point you can either stuff into casings or wrap in 1 pound packages which is what I do, then freeze.

HOMEMADE GERMAN BRATWURST

Steps:

• Combine the pork, fat and crushed ice in a bowl and then, working quickly, use a meat grinder to grind the mixture through a 1/4 inch (6mm) die. Preferably grind the meat mixture into a bowl set atop an ice bath to keep the meat cold. Grind half of the ground mixture a second time. Note: It is imperative that the meat be at a constant cold temperature so that the fat doesn't get too soft. You should be able to see clear definition between the lean meat the specks of fat in the ground mixture.Chill the meat in the refrigerator while you assemble the spice mixture.
• In a small bowl combine all the spices.Remove the ground meat from the fridge and place it on the stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the spice mix and dry milk powder.Mix the meat mixture with the paddle for 3-4 minutes until threads begin to appear in the meat: If you take a clump of meat and pull it apart with your fingers you will see tiny threads pulling apart. When you see this your meat is ready. *If the meat mixture is too dry and stiff, add a little ice water. You want a soft/smooth mixture that will easily go into the casings.*This is also the time to taste your sausage mixture so you can adjust the seasonings if needed. To do this, take a bit of the meat mixture, fry it up in a pan, taste it and adjust the seasonings if needed.Place the meat mixture back in the refrigerator while you prepare the casings.
• Thread your sausage stuffer with the prepared hog casings, fill the sausage stuffer with the meat mixture, and stuff the casings being careful to avoid air gaps while also being careful to not over-stuff the casings.Twist the sausages into links. Use a sausage pricker to prick any air bubbles out of the links.For best results chill the sausages overnight.
• To prepare the bratwursts, gently poach them in lightly salted water (place sausages in pot of water, gradually bring liquid to a light simmer/do NOT boil, and poach sausages until partially cooked, 3-4 minutes) and then fry or grill them. Once poached they will keep in the fridge, tightly wrapped, for up to a week.You can either freeze the Bratwursts raw prior to poaching (then thaw, poach, fry/grill) or freeze them once they're poached.
• This yields roughly 10 bratwursts depending on the size and diameter.

HOMEMADE BRATWURST

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine spices. Sprinkle mixture evenly over meat; mix thoroughly. With the coarse blade of a food grinder, grind the meat with the spice mixture until well mixed. Use a medium stuffer for casings. Run cool water through casings, soak in water 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Attach sausage stuffer attachment to an electric mixer or food grinder. Using a 3 to 4-foot piece of the casing at a time, slip one end and then the remaining length of casing onto the medium or small stuffer tube. Using coast blade of grinder force sausage mixture through the tube till even with the tube opening. Pull off two inches of the casing and tie a knot. Fill the casing firm, but not too full, twisting casing when the links are 4 to 5 inches long. If desired, tie string at the twist. Wrap and chill at once. Cook soon, or freeze, for later use.

JOHNSONVILLE HOLIDAY BRAT STUFFING (BRATWURST STUFFING)

Steps:

• In a large skillet, brown and cook crumbled sausage until no longer pink; Drain. Remove from skillet; set aside. In the same skillet, melt butter ansd sauté onion, celery and green pepper until tender.
• In an extra large mixing bowl, combine sausage, vegetable mixture, bread stuffing and seasonings. Add eggs and broth; toss gently. Salt and pepper to taste. Spoon into a buttered 3 to 4 quart baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 325° for 60 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer, it should read 165°F when done.

JOHNSONVILLE BRAT HOT TUB

Steps:

• Prepare brats on a gas or charcoal grill according to package directions. When brats are cooked, remove from grill and place in foil baking pan.
• Place pan on grill, add beer, butter and onions. Over medium heat, on a covered grill, allow brats to simmer in beer and onions. Serve each brat with onions on a bun. Enjoy!