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Easy Savory German Bratwurst Skillet with Apples

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A quick and easy one-pan weeknight meal featuring juicy bratwurst, caramelized onions, and sweet-tart apples. Perfect for a cozy fall dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bratwurst sausages (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 2 large apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
  • 2 medium yellow onions
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
  • Cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes for serving (optional)
  • Extra Dijon mustard for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Slice onions into ¼-inch half-moons. Core and slice apples into wedges (skin on). Pat bratwurst dry with paper towels.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bratwurst and cook 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown. Deglaze with a splash of water or apple cider if needed.
  4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter, apple wedges, thyme, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes, stirring gently, until apples soften slightly.
  5. Pour in apple cider and scrape up browned bits. Stir in Dijon mustard if using. Nestle bratwurst back into skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 10-12 minutes until sausages are cooked through and apples are tender.
  6. Remove lid, let rest 1 minute. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve bratwurst with apples and onions spooned over top, alongside egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the bratwurst for maximum flavor. Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for best results. Watch heat levels to avoid burning onions or overcooking apples. Let sausages rest before slicing to keep them juicy.

Nutrition

Keywords: bratwurst, apples, onions, skillet, one-pan, fall dinner, German recipe, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/easy-savory-german-bratwurst-skillet-with-apples/