What to Serve with Brats: 35+ Tasty Side Dishes

Wondering what to serve with brats for dinner? I’ve got you covered! Here’s 35+ of the best side dishes for bratwurst.

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These are some of my favorite sides for brats:

But the list goes on! Keep reading to find more delicious sides to serve with brats.

Plus, be sure to check out these → 15+ Sauces for Bratwurst!

What to Serve with Bratwurst

This delicious warm German Potato Salad combines tender potatoes with a warm bacon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect side dish for the summer grilling season. 
German Potato Salad
Overhead shot of sauteed onions in white bowl with spoon.
This complete guide on how to saute or caramelize onions perfectly is such a life saver! This tutorial shows you the tricks and technique for the best sauteed onions recipe EVER! 
Sauteed Onions
Shaved brussels sprouts salad in large bowl with serving spoon.
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
POTATO LATKES ON GREY PLATE TOPPED WITH DOLLOPS OF SOUR CREAM AND SERVED WITH BOWL OF PINK BEET HORSERADISH SAUCE.
This is the best Potato Latke recipe. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Their irresistible golden crusts are seasoned with just a sprinkling of salt and ready to be served with a side of sour cream and applesauce. They’re perfect for Hanukkah, but you’ll want to enjoy them year round.
Latkes
Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy. 
Red Cabbage Slaw
Overhead shot of pretzel bites in serving platter with small bowl of cheese sauce.
Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce are the perfect snack for tailgating. Soft, chewy and bite size with a golden crust, they're perfect for dunking into a rich cheese dip that can be customized 3-ways.
Pretzel Bites
Side view of pickled red cabbage in jar against dark background.
You’ll want to keep a jar of this Pickled Red Cabbage in your fridge at all times. Not only is it fast and easy, but you can use it on anything! Pile it onto tacos, burgers, pork sandwiches, and so much more.
Pickled Cabbage
Overhead shot of shaved fennel salad in green serving bowl on pink table.
This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.  
Fennel Celery Salad
Overhead close up of zucchini fries on platter.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon. 
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Crispy air fryer mushrooms in bowl with spoon.
Upgrade everyday dinners and holiday meals with Air Fryer Mushrooms! Perfectly seasoned and endlessly customizable, this quick and easy recipe serves as a delectable side dish or topping for burgers, steaks, and beyond.
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Cooked french fries in air fryer.
French fries are aways a classic side dish for bratwurst.
Air Fryer Frozen Fries
Ears of corn on the cob in a grey serving dish with a pat of butter and sprinkling of parsley.
Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious! 
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Side shot of jar of pickled onions with pink background.
Quick Pickled Onions are so easy to make at home. With just 5-minutes you can have your red onions pickling. Let them cool to room temperature before using and then you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks! 
Pickled Onions
Overhead close up of bowl of grilled potato salad.
Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious! 
Grilled Potato Salad
Overhead shot of Mexican street corn salad in serving bowl.
This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.
Corn Salad
Overhead shot of mac and cheese in speckled bowl with spoon and grated cheddar scattered about.
This is the BEST Instant Pot Mac and Cheese! Made extra creamy with a secret ingredient plus delicious cheddar & parmesan cheese. It can be made in just 4 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
Hawaiian coleslaw in white serving bowl.
Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.
Hawaiian Slaw
Serving spoon in bowl of tomato cucumber salad.
This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.
How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
Sous Vide Asparagus
CLOSE UP OF ROASTED SWEET POTATOES ON SERVING TRAY WITH SPOON.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Pasta salad in bowl on wooden cutting board next to bowl of pepper flakes.
This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.
Zucchini Pasta Salad
Bowl of cooked pinto beans flecked with cilantro.
Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad in grey bowl.
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons. 
Cherry Tomato Salad
Close up of green bean fries on baking sheet lined with parchment.
Crispy parmesan Green Bean Fries are baked in the oven for a healthy, delicious treat. Served up with three dipping sauces – green goddess, honey mustard & creamy sriracha. A secret ingredient makes them extra delicious! Air Fryer directions included. 
Green Bean Fries
Baked potato toppings on wooden tray.
There are so many delicious baked potato toppings to choose from! This extensive list of the 50+ BEST toppings includes meats, cheeses, veggies, sauces and more.
Baked Potato Bar
Fennel salad with chickpeas in white bowl.
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel Chickpea Salad
Overhead close up of bowl of kale caesar salad in white bowl with serving spoon.
This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
These are the BEST Glazed Carrots! Lightly sweetened, delicately seasoned & perfectly glazed. They make an amazing side dish that both kids & adults love. | platingsandpairings.com
These are the BEST Glazed Carrots – Lightly sweetened, delicately seasoned, and perfectly glazed. These carrots make an amazing side dish that both kids and adults can’t get enough of!
Glazed Carrots
Honey mustard dipping sauce in small serving bowl next to honey wand.
This easy homemade Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce recipe is made with just 4-ingredients and the perfect dipping sauce for chicken tenders, pretzel bites, veggies and so much more! It will be ready in 5 minutes! All you need to make it are yellow mustard, dijon mustard, mayonnaise and honey. 
Honey Mustard Sauce
Homemade Applesauce. This recipe is ONLY 4 ingredients and could not be any simpler.
RECIPE from Chef in Training
Applesauce
Make-ahead Spaetzle noodles, my rendition of the classic German side dish recipe, can be formed and boiled up to 3 days ahead.
RECIPE from Culinary Hill
Spaetzle
Homemade Sauerkraut is rich in probiotics and vitamins, and made with two simple ingredients – cabbage and salt.
RECIPE from Pudge Factor
Homemade Sauerkraut

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Collage of what to serve with bratwurst.

What to Serve with Brats: 30+ EASY Side Dishes

Wondering what to serve with brats for dinner? I've got you covered! Here's 30+ of the best side dishes for bratwurst. Try this delicious warm German Potato Salad combines tender potatoes with a warm bacon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect side dish for the summer grilling season. 
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water by 2 inches .Season the water generously with salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 10-15 minutes, until just tender. Drain.
  • While the potatoes are still warm, peel and slice, or cube them, into a large serving bowl.
  • Meanwhile, cook the sliced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, about 5-6 minutes stirring occasionally. Transfer the bacon to a plate topped with paper towels to drain. Pour out all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat from the pan.
  • Add the onion to the bacon fat. Season with a pinch of salt and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until softened.
  • Stir in 1/4 cup water, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil and pour over potatoes. Toss to coat. Add the bacon, celery and parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

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Nutrition

Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 328mg | Potassium: 789mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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