Sheet Pan Beer Brats Dinner came to mind as I was perusing the offerings at my favorite meat shop. I love shopping there because it is pristine and all the meat is local, grass-fed (or pastured), sustainable and produced by farmers who practice good animal stewardship. I had the sheet pan dinner concept in the back of my mind and was looking at the chicken when I spied the brats.
I did not grow up eating bratwurst. I grew up avoiding processed meats, so rarely even had a hot dog. But a couple years ago I walked into this shop when one of the owners was making brats—Wisconsin-style with coarsely ground pork. They make all their own sausages with the best ingredients. So I took home four “homemade,” unprocessed brats and haven’t looked back since.
A sheet pan dinner is what I call streamlined cooking. And there are at least a few days a week when dinner really needs to be streamlined. It’s such an easy way to get lots of different vegetables into your diet because they all cook together. Cabbage wedges would’ve been good with this, and I’ll do that next time.
I do a lot of wine reductions but have never even heard of a beer reduction. It was just going to go against my grain to pour that beer down the drain, though, so I thought I'd make a little sauce out of it. Love it!
For more streamlined cooking, Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner.
Sheet Pan Beer Brats Dinner
(Makes 4 servings)
The Brats and Vegetables
4 bratwurst sausages (about 5 ounces each)1 12-ounce bottle Newcastle Brown Ale
2 medium orange-flesh sweet potatoes (about 22 ounces/624 grams total), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
About 3/4 pound broccoli and cauliflower florets
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon mixed with 1/8 teaspoon salt
Salt and coarsely ground black pepper
The Sauce
The beer reduction2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Pinch (1/16 teaspoon) crushed red pepper flakes
1 Pierce the sausages six times each with a toothpick or a few times with a knife. Put them in a wide saucepan with the beer. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Leave the brats in the beer until you place them on the baking sheet.
2 Preheat oven to 400F/205C/Gas6. Line an 18x13x1-inch half sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. In a 1.5- to 2-quart bowl, toss sweet potato slices with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Lay out the slices at one end of the baking sheet. Sprinkle them evenly with the cinnamon-salt mixture.
3 In that same bowl, toss the broccoli and cauliflower florets with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Spread them out at the other end of the baking sheet. Put the beer-boiled brats in the center of the baking sheet. Sprinkle the broccoli, cauliflower and brats with salt and pepper.
4 Bake for 30 minutes. In the meantime, strain the beer into a glass measuring cup and wipe out the saucepan. Pour the beer back into the saucepan. Bring it to a boil, and adjust the heat to keep it at a slow-ish boil until it is reduced to 1/2 cup. Just pour it back into the glass measuring cup from time to time to check it. When it’s down to 1/2 cup, whisk in remaining ingredients.
5 Drizzle sauce over all, or let each person sauce his own plate.
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Jean
What a perfect Autumn meal, Jean, and so colorful on the plate! I'll be trying this soon. Thank you for sharing, as always.
ReplyDeleteKitty, I'm so glad you like it! Easy meal to throw in the oven after a busy session of Cooking Camp!
ReplyDeleteIs there no end to your surprises? I’d have bet a year’s supply of turnips that you wouldn’t eat a beer brat under penalty of death. On the other hand, I can understand why all those other ingredients would need something carnal and sustaining to balance them out. Contrast…the secret of potent living!
ReplyDeleteSully, you're not really wrong--I wouldn't eat a conventional packaged processed grocery store brat under penalty of death! :D But I'm so happy to surprise you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a super delicious and satisfying dinner!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty and yummy...Your recipe looks great!Have a lovely day,dear Jean!
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of one-pan meals - never thought to do them on a baking sheet. Interesting concept I will keep in mind. Usually I'll do the protein first, then when cooked put it aside and then do the veggies and then when they are done, add the protein back to the pan for a quick warm through.
ReplyDeleteJean- I LOVE this!!! I had never heard of brats until I married a man from Wisconsin. Who Knew? We love them and buy them fresh here, too. That is a great idea for a pan meal and I will have to remember to do that. When my brother was here visiting he saw the brat fry signs and he thought it was joke about bringing your naughty kids in to the place. LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Thursday-xo Diana
Angie, thank you. It was - twice (made enough for two dinners).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maristella. I do like all the different colors!
ReplyDeleteGrace, thank you. It all depends on what you're cooking on the sheet pan. Sometimes just cutting things a different size makes it possible to cook everything at once for the same length of time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana. AND for the funny story about the brat fry signs! :D
ReplyDelete"Sheet Pan Beer Brats Dinner." This title really fascinates me, Jean. I keep wanting to say it. I've even spoken it out loud. I was trying to think what is so mesmerising about it. It has five subjects, sheet, pan, beer, brats and dinner. Wow!! That is a creative piece of writing. You must be careful using the term, brat, here in England though Jean. I will leave it up to you to discover its connotation. Ha! Ha!
ReplyDeleteThat bratwurst, I think that is what you say your sausage is, reminds me of a Cumberland Sausage. Have you tried any English sausages Jean? I think I remember you saying your family originate from, The Lake District. All the best, Tony
Damn!! Should have noticed the Newcastle Brown Ale. When I was in New York last September, Jean, so many bars in Greenwich Village sold Newcastle Brown Ale. I kept thinking. WHY? Its OK but there are so many other English beers that are better.Micro breweries are popping up all over the place these days.
ReplyDeleteTony, thank you. Yes, I had Cumberland sausage at a pub near Penrith years ago. I'm not a beer fan at all, but I do enjoy the occasional "half" of Newcastle, Boddington's or Bass Ale. Those microbrews don't get exported, so our choices here are limited to the bigger brands.
ReplyDeleteJean, some days I visit here and it's as if you know *exactly* what I need. My husband loves sausages (admittedly, British bangers are our favorite) and I just joined a veggie box service which yesterday brought me an enormous cauliflower. So this recipe looks ideal. Love the one-sheet approach. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePauline, perfect timing! The British bangers will be lovely done like this, beer-boiled then onto the sheet pan.
ReplyDeleteStreamlined cooking is more and more necessary these days I find and your dish is a very fine way to enjoy a sausage or two. I only buy sausages made locally these days and they might be more expensive but the quality is really good. I used to make a lot of beer sauces around 30 years ago but, for some reason, I just got out of the habit. In the last few years I've been making a few again after I spent some time in Northern France and the local food reminded me just how good they can be.
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect meal for Oktoberfest!
ReplyDeleteI love making these sheet pan dinners, Jean. Your's looks wonderful and one that would make my guys happy! I agree cabbage would make a lovely combination with the Brats. ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised that you were making beer sauces decades ago, Phil! If it's a "thing," which I didn't know it had ever been, then you'd be the one person of my acquaintance who would be doing it! I don't mind paying more for my high quality, local sausages. It's so worth it to me. I'd rather save money on something else.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margie, you're probably right about that!
ReplyDeleteMartha, thank you. I think I'm going to be doing more sheet pan dinners. In fact, I made one today.
ReplyDeleteI love one-dish meals. A sheet pan dinner fits that criteria and are usually full of flavor. Yum! Yours has great eye appeal and I'm sure it tastes as good as it looks!
ReplyDeleteI love love love this idea. I was talking to my good friend, who works, who has two children in grade school. I was asking her about what I could share on my blog that attracted her demographic. Sheet Pan Dinners was her answer. So, I've been looking around for ideas. This sounds delicious and I love the sauce. pinning.
ReplyDeleteLea Ann, thank you so much! That is good to know. I never do market research like that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun autumnal dinner, Jean!
ReplyDeleteOh I do love sheet pan dinners. Super easy and ready to go! #blogcrush
ReplyDeleteDavid, thank you. It's especially "fun" when it's soooo easy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracy. Yep, some days call for super easy!
ReplyDeleteBeing from Wisconsin, I have no shortage of bratwurst in my stores, yet I've never tried them in the oven. Great idea for me to try this winter when I can't be outside grilling them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, BRnLC! Yep, I've never been one for outdoor grilling in a down coat! Let me know how you like the oven method.
ReplyDeleteThis looks deliciously simple! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party! Have a lovely week and hope to see you next week too!
ReplyDeleteI love streamlined cooking, and I love cooking with beer, Jean! Your Sheet Pan Beer Brats Dinner looks fantastic. The Newcastle Brown Ale would give such a lovely flavour. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope you are having a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat and convenient recipe! As mentioned in other comments, the oven method sounds very accessible, I should try it soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, TLG! I have a tendency to get pretty complicated in the kitchen, but I am learning the joy of "deliciously simple."
ReplyDeleteApril, thank you so much. You'll probably be seeing more streamlined cooking from me in the coming months. See you at the next #HearthAndSoul!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Irene. I'm looking forward to checking out more of your Mexican recipes!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great dinner to enjoy during a halftime while watching a football game on TV. Everything will be ready and waiting.
ReplyDeleteI do like the mix of vegetables here.
ReplyDeleteSweet potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower florets - so nice together.
All the best Jan
Karen, thank you. Yes, I like the idea of it being ready and waiting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jan. I think so, too. Altogether a healthy, balanced meal.
ReplyDeleteOh I've never seen a recipe like this !!! As you say I've heard of a wine reduction not a beer reduction ! Do love your recipes !#BlogCrush
ReplyDeleteThis is a great sheet pan meal that will be delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday, we have really enjoyed it. Hope you have a great day and come back soon!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
I love the idea of a sheet pan dinner, cooking everything together! And of course, not wasting anything with the leftover marinade being used as part of the sauce. It is wonderful to buy your meat from a fresh market, knowing it is from local farmers! Definitely, there is a huge difference in the taste! Always a joy to visit your blog, and to peruse your recipes :)
ReplyDeleteBrats are good -- and they really do benefit by being simmered in beer. Love the idea of the beer reduction -- gotta try that. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat looks absolutely wonderful! Thanks for sharing with us at the To Grandma's House We go link party!
ReplyDeleteOh yum! I love brats every now and then. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
You always come up with something yummy, never fails :) Thank you Jean for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 31! Shared x 4 ♥
ReplyDeleteSo perfect for 'Oktoberfest' type meals this time of year! I was never a fan of sausage until Italy, and now I Love it, but it does pay to be discerning about where it is from. This sounds delicious, Jean, and I know my family will like it, too. x K
ReplyDeleteThank you, Daydreamer Mum! I hope you'll give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Miz Helen. Love #FullPlateThursday!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, thank you for your kind comment! I always enjoy your blog as well.
ReplyDeleteJohn, thank you! I think you'll like a beer reduction.
ReplyDeleteTarah, thanks. It's an easy meal you can throw together after a busy day of DIY projects!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jann. Love #SYC! Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteDee, thanks so much. And I so appreciate the social media shares!
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you. And I do love your word choice here: "discerning!"
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for an array of amazing recipes!
ReplyDelete