Bratwurst is a richly seasoned German sausage prepared from pork or a mixture of pork and veal. Bratwurst comes either raw or precooked. You may prepare precooked bratwurst in the microwave, but fresh bratwurst requires other methods -- parboiling and grilling, for example -- to ensure that it is fully cooked. Check the label to determine whether microwaving is an appropriate cooking method for the bratwurst you wish to serve.
Step 1
Remove the brats from the packaging and arrange them in a dish safe for use in the microwave. Fill the dish with enough water to cover the sausages.
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Step 2
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Use a thin-bladed knife or sharp skewer to pierce the wrap in two or three places.
Step 3
Cook the brats on the microwave's highest setting for approximately two minutes. Pull back the plastic wrap. Use tongs to turn each sausage over and cook on high for two more minutes, then recover the dish.
Step 4
Remove the dish from the microwave and allow the bratwurst to stand, undisturbed, for at least two minutes before serving.
Things You'll Need
Fully cooked bratwurst
Microwave-safe dish
Plastic wrap
Thin-bladed knife or sharp skewer
Tongs
Tip
The time it takes to cook brats varies with different microwave ovens. Check the sausages frequently to avoid overcooking.
Serve cooked brats on crusty whole-wheat rolls, with marinara sauce over polenta, or alongside sauteed bell peppers and onions.
Warning
Avoid piercing the bratwurst with a fork while you are cooking the sausage. Holes in the casing will cause the sausage to lose fluid and become less juicy.
Store cooled, cooked brats in the refrigerator for up to three days.
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