Master how to cook brats in instant pot for easy meals

Get Ready for Effortless Brats in Your Instant Pot!

Who doesn’t love a perfectly cooked bratwurst? That savory, juicy goodness is a classic comfort food. But sometimes, you want delicious brats without the fuss of grilling or stovetop supervision. Enter your trusty Instant Pot! This amazing appliance makes cooking brats incredibly easy, ensuring they come out tender, flavorful, and ready for your finishing touch, whether you prefer them browned on the grill or under the broiler.

Using an Instant Pot to cook brats means less guesswork and more deliciousness. It locks in moisture and cooks them evenly, making it a fantastic method for busy weeknights or when you simply crave that satisfying snap and taste. Let’s dive into how you can master how to cook brats in Instant Pot for consistently amazing results!

What You’ll Need

The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity. You won’t need a huge list of ingredients or fancy equipment.

• Brats: Fresh or frozen pork, beef, or chicken brats work perfectly. You can use plain or seasoned varieties.
• Liquid: About 1 cup of liquid is essential for pressure cooking. You can use water, chicken broth, beef broth, or even beer for an extra layer of flavor.
• Optional Add-ins: Sliced onions, bell peppers, or garlic can infuse more flavor into your brats as they cook.

Your Essential Equipment:

• An Instant Pot: Any size will do, but a 6-quart or 8-quart model is common.
• Tongs: For handling the brats.
• Meat Thermometer: Crucial for ensuring your brats are cooked safely to 160°F (71°C).

Step-by-Step: Cooking Brats in Your Instant Pot

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked, juicy brats every time:

Step 1: (Optional) Sear Your Brats

While you can skip this step, searing your brats before pressure cooking adds a beautiful golden-brown crust and develops a richer flavor. If you’re short on time, don’t worry, they’ll still be delicious without searing!

• Add a tablespoon of oil to your Instant Pot inner pot.
• Select the “Sauté” function on “Normal” or “More.”
• Once hot, add your brats in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pot; work in batches if necessary.
• Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove the brats and set them aside.

Step 2: Deglaze (if seared) & Add Liquid

If you seared the brats, there might be flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. It’s important to scrape these up to prevent a “Burn” warning.

• Pour your chosen liquid (water, broth, or beer) into the Instant Pot.
• Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• If you didn’t sear, simply add your liquid now.

Step 3: Add Brats and Pressure Cook

• Carefully place the seared or raw brats back into the Instant Pot, nesting them in the liquid. You can stack them if needed, but try to keep them as spread out as possible. If using a trivet, place it in the pot first, then stack the brats on top.
• If adding onions or peppers, you can place them in the liquid with the brats.
• Close the lid, making sure the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position.
• Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and set the cooking time:
  • Fresh Brats: 5-7 minutes on High Pressure.
  • Frozen Brats: 10-12 minutes on High Pressure.
• The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins.

Step 4: Release Pressure

Once the cooking time is complete:

• For the juiciest results, allow for a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 5-10 minutes. This means letting the pressure dissipate on its own without touching the valve. After 5-10 minutes, you can then carefully switch the sealing valve to “Venting” for a Quick Release (QR) of any remaining pressure.
• Alternatively, you can do a full Quick Release right away, but your brats might be slightly less tender.
• Once the floating pin drops, it’s safe to open the lid.

Step 5: Finish Them Off (Optional, but Recommended!)

Your brats are now fully cooked and safe to eat, but they might look a bit pale. A quick finishing step will give them that irresistible golden-brown exterior.

• Grill: Transfer the brats to a hot grill and cook for a few minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned and charred to your liking.
• Broiler: Place the brats on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until they have a lovely color. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning!
• Pan-Fry: Heat a skillet with a little oil over medium-high heat and brown the brats for a few minutes until they’re golden.

Tips for Perfectly Juicy Brats

• Don’t Pierce Them: Resist the urge to poke holes in your brats! This lets out all the delicious juices and flavor.
• Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure brats reach 160°F (71°C) for food safety.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: While the Instant Pot is roomy, cooking too many brats at once can affect even cooking. Cook in batches if you have a lot.
• Liquid is Key: Never pressure cook without enough liquid. It’s essential for creating the steam needed to cook.
• Natural Release for Tenderness: Allowing a brief Natural Pressure Release contributes to incredibly tender and juicy brats.

Serving Up Your Delicious Brats

Now for the fun part! Your perfectly cooked brats are ready to be enjoyed. Serve them on toasted buns with your favorite toppings:

• Mustard (spicy brown, Dijon, or yellow)
• Sauerkraut
• Sautéed onions and peppers
• Relish
• Ketchup

For sides, consider potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, or a simple green salad.

Flavorful Variations to Try

• Beer Brats: Replace water or broth with your favorite beer (lager, pilsner, or even a craft ale) for classic beer-braised flavor.
• Onion & Pepper Brats: Sauté sliced onions and bell peppers in the Instant Pot before adding liquid and brats, or simply add them with the liquid for a tasty infusion.
• Spicy Brats: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sliced jalapeño to the liquid for a kick.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Got extra brats? Lucky you!

• Refrigeration: Store cooked and cooled brats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze brats in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Gently reheat brats in the microwave, on the stovetop in a little liquid, or in the oven until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook them.

Your Instant Pot Brat Questions Answered!

Can I cook frozen brats in the Instant Pot?

Absolutely! Just increase the pressure cooking time to 10-12 minutes on High Pressure.

Do I need to add liquid to the Instant Pot?

Yes, absolutely. Pressure cooking requires liquid to create steam, which is how the food cooks. Without it, you’ll get a “Burn” warning and potentially dry brats.

Should I pierce the brats before cooking?

Please don’t! Piercing the brats causes their delicious juices and fat to escape, resulting in a drier, less flavorful brat.

Is searing necessary for brats in the Instant Pot?

Searing is optional but highly recommended. It adds a beautiful color and a depth of flavor that you won’t get from just boiling. However, they will still be fully cooked and tasty without it.

How many brats can I cook at once?

This depends on the size of your Instant Pot. In a 6-quart model, you can usually fit 6-8 brats comfortably without overcrowding. An 8-quart can handle more. Ensure they fit in a single layer or are stacked loosely with enough liquid.

Can I cook brats with beer in the Instant Pot?

Yes, and it’s highly encouraged for classic beer brat flavor! Use beer as your cooking liquid instead of water or broth.

What about different sized brats? Do cooking times change?

For standard-sized brats, the 5-7 minute (fresh) or 10-12 minute (frozen) cooking time is generally sufficient. For significantly thicker brats, you might add an extra minute or two, but always rely on a meat thermometer to confirm they’ve reached 160°F (71°C).

Enjoy Your Easy Instant Pot Brats!

Cooking brats in your Instant Pot is a game-changer. It’s quick, simple, and delivers incredibly juicy and flavorful results every time. Whether you’re making a quick weeknight meal or preparing for a backyard BBQ, your Instant Pot will make sure your brats are perfectly cooked and ready to impress. So go ahead, give this method a try and enjoy your delicious, perfectly cooked brats!