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Easy German Bratwurst Apple Skillet Recipe

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A quick and easy German-inspired skillet dinner featuring juicy bratwurst, sweet-tart apples, and caramelized onions in a light apple cider sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bratwurst sausages (about 1 pound)
  • 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and cut into ½-inch wedges
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first. Slice the onion into thin half-moons. Core the apples (no need to peel unless you want to) and cut them into ½-inch thick wedges. Strip the thyme leaves from the stems.
  2. Brown the bratwurst. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bratwurst links and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown all over. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Cook the onions. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes until they start to soften and turn golden. Add a splash of apple cider if the pan looks dry.
  4. Add the apples and thyme. Toss in the apple wedges and fresh thyme leaves. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring gently, until the apples start to soften at the edges but still hold their shape.
  5. Deglaze with apple cider. Pour in the ½ cup of apple cider and stir in the Dijon mustard. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid simmer for about 2 minutes until it reduces slightly and thickens into a light sauce.
  6. Finish cooking the bratwurst. Slice the browned bratwurst into 1-inch thick rounds on a diagonal. Return them to the skillet, nestling them into the apples and onions. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let everything cook together for 5-7 minutes until the sausages are cooked through and the flavors have melded.
  7. Season and serve. Taste the sauce and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using. Serve hot straight from the skillet.

Notes

For best results, use fresh bratwurst and firm sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Avoid Granny Smith apples as they can be too sour. The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or apple cider. Not recommended for freezing.

Nutrition

Keywords: bratwurst, apple skillet, German recipe, quick dinner, one-pan meal, comfort food, fall recipe

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/easy-german-bratwurst-apple-skillet-recipe/