A quick bratwurst sandwich recipe with juicy sausage links, crunchy onions, sauerkraut, mayonnaise, and ketchup all packed into a bread roll. These bratwurst sandwiches are popular Ukrainian street food.
Ukrainians love sandwiches, generally open-faced ones, but when they are filled, it’s something hearty like these sausage sandwiches. Try out our popular Keilbasa sandwiches or Roasted eggplant sandwiches. If you’re feeling ambitious, try our Subway Bread Recipe for the perfect bread rolls.
The Perfect Bratwurst Sandwich
My husband reminisces about these bratwurst sandwiches he often had when his mom would go shopping at the flea market back in Ukraine about 20 years ago. It was a street food specialty, specifically named “hot dogs,” that he enjoyed.
It was not a plain hot dog, but rather a fully assembled sandwich made in a bread roll with condiments and fresh ingredients. I can imagine the sausages to be more of hearty keilbasa-type links and not like the bologna-style ones here in the States. The closest kind of sausage to fit this description would be the bratwurst.
You can purchase smoked bratwurst links at Walmart, although I can’t seem to find them at Aldi anymore. You’ll need the fully cooked, smoked, and cured bratwursts to make these easy.
Anyways, back to the bratwurst sandwiches my husband loved…They are a true treat! I make them just like the ones he remembers: a hard roll (like a hoagie or kaiser roll), sauerkraut with carrots, raw onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, and yellow mustard on the side.
Ukrainians often make sauerkraut with carrots, so they are already in the sauerkraut. If you have plain sauerkraut, grate some raw carrots and use that as a topping. You will love these bratwurst sandwiches; there is so much flavor in one roll!
Ingredients for bratwurst sandwiches:
- Sauerkraut with Carrots – Ukrainian sauerkraut is made with shredded carrots. If you don’t have that, use regular sauerkraut and grate carrots separately.
- Bratwursts- beef or pork bratwursts will work.
- Bread rolls- a hard roll is best to soak up any juices from the sauerkraut or condiments.
- Ketchup- We usually make our own homemade ketchup.
- Raw onions add crunch and a fresh element aside from the condiments.
- Mayonnaise – We also make homemade mayonnaise.
- Additional Toppings: prepared yellow mustard, grated carrots.
How to Make Bratwurst Sandwiches:
1.) Broil the bread rolls if desired for a few minutes; remove and set aside. I honestly skip this step nowadays.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil. Broil the bratwursts in an oven until nicely browned on all sides (about 15 minutes, depending on broil settings). I poked my sausages with a toothpick so they won’t burst open. I don’t always do this, and they still turn out fine.
3.) To assemble bratwurst sandwiches, smear one heaping tbsp of mayo onto each bun. Then add some chopped raw onions, one heaping tbsp of sauerkraut, and drizzle with ketchup. I typically serve yellow mustard on the side.
4. Enjoy!
Bratwurst Sandwich Toppings (Variations):
- Cheese sauce: Make a cheese sauce by making a basic roux with milk and adding cheddar cheese.
- Caramelized onions and peppers- sauté sliced onion and sweet bell peppers until nicely browned.
- Fresh dill or parsley- chop fresh herbs and sprinkle them on top as a garnish for more flavor.
- Purple onions or purple cabbage- pickled red onions or sautéed red cabbage will add amazing color and flavor.
Q&A
What To Put on a Bratwurst Sandwich?
I like to add sauerkraut, carrots, mayonnaise, ketchup, and raw onions to the bratwurst sandwich. Typically, I serve the prepared yellow mustard on the side for those who want to drizzle some on top.
Bratwurst Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
- Oven or grill
- 1 sheet-pan
Ingredients
- 6 Bread rolls (any hard roll like hoagie, Kaiser, or Bolillo rolls) sliced lengthwise.
- 6 Smoked Beef Bratwurst Links
- 1/2 onion finely diced
- 6 tbsp mayonnaise
- Additional Toppings: ketchup, yellow mustard, grated carrots
Instructions
- Warm the bread rolls or toast in the oven until golden brown on the broil setting. I often skip this step.
- Line a sheet pan with foil and place all the bratwursts on top. Broil the bratwursts in the oven on all sides until nicely browned and sizzling (about 10-15 minutes).
- To assemble bratwurst sandwiches, spread one heaping tablespoon of mayonnaise onto each roll. Then add a bratwurst, drizzle the top with ketchup, and add mustard if desired. Top with a tablespoon of chopped raw onions, sauerkraut, and carrots**. Serve.
Notes
- Ukrainian sauerkraut is typically made with grated carrots. If using regular sauerkraut, grate a carrot on the side and use it as a topping.
