You can use a cookie sheet, a casserole dish, or any other pan you have on hand. It just needs to be big enough to hold all of the bratwurst so that they don’t touch each other. If you use a rimmed baking sheet, the brats won’t be able to accidentally roll off the side.

Preheating the oven will give you more consistent results while you’re cooking, since the temperature will already be stabilized when you add the food. By preheating the baking pan along with the oven, you’ll get a nice sear on the outside of the sausages.

To ensure even cooking, make sure the brats aren’t touching each other on the sheet. However, they don’t need much space between them, so as long as you have about 1⁄2 in (1. 3 cm) around each one, you should be fine.

Remember to use oven mitts when you handle the pan, as it will be very hot.

When you’re cooking meat, always judge the doneness by the internal temperature, rather than the time it’s been cooking. Smaller brats may only need to cook for about 30 minutes, while larger brats may take about an hour. [5] X Research source

Store your leftover bratwurst in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for 1-2 months. [7] X Research source

If you have an older oven, the broiler may be located in the drawer beneath the main oven compartment. If this is the case, you don’t need to move the rack at all.

Since the broiler will get hot very quickly, it’s important to adjust the racks in your oven before you turn on the broiler. Otherwise, you could burn yourself.

It’s important to have a tray under your broiling pan because the brats will likely drip some juices while they’re cooking. If those juices fall into the bottom of your oven, it could become a fire hazard.

Be very careful not to touch the top of your oven when you’re flipping the brats. The broiler element will be extremely hot and could give you a serious burn.

Since bratwurst is made from ground pork, it’s important to take the temperature to judge the doneness, rather than relying on the brats’ appearance.

If the brats aren’t ready, put them in for another 5 minutes until they reach the right temperature.

If you have any leftovers, place them into an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. They’ll keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 1-2 months in the freezer. [15] X Research source

By preheating the oven, you’ll be able to be more accurate with your cooking times. If you put food into a cold oven, you have to account for the heating time when you calculate how long the food has been cooking.

If you don’t like a lot of onions, or if you picked a large onion at the grocery store, it’s fine to only use half. If your eyes water when you’re cutting onions, try putting the onion into the freezer for 10-15 minutes first. Don’t leave it in longer than that, though, or it could make the onion mushy. [18] X Research source Some people opt to leave the garlic out of the recipe. While the garlic adds a nice flavor that complements the onions and beer, it’s fine to omit it if you prefer.

While this 1-dish meal is already great for easy clean-up, opt for a disposable aluminum baking dish to make it even simpler!

For sweeter brats, add 1 tbsp (12. 5 g) of brown sugar. If you prefer spicier brats, add in 1 tsp (1. 5 g) of red pepper flakes.

Different beers will produce different flavors. For instance, a lager will have a mild taste, an IPA will leave a bitter flavor, and a stout will be richer and deeper. For an option that’s a little richer than a lager but not as dark as a stout, opt for an amber or a red beer. Depending on the size of the pan you’re using, you may not need to use all of the beer.

If one sheet of foil doesn’t cover the pan, use 2 sheet and overlap them.

Use caution when you open the foil on top of the pan, as steam will escape. Be sure your hands and face aren’t in the path of the steam, or you could be burned. Do not pierce the brats with a fork, or the juices will run out. After the hour, test the internal temperature of the thickest with an instant-read thermometer. If the temperature reads 160 °F (71 °C), then the bratwursts are done! If not, put them back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes until they reach the right temperature. [25] X Research source

Keep leftover brats in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. [26] X Research source