If you’ve been wondering how to cook brats in an instant pot, look no further! You’ve come across the juiciest, flavorful and moist instant pot brats with beer recipe. What’s even better is these make the ideal low carb bratwurst recipes or keto bratwurst recipes too.
Finding recipes for busy weeknights can sometimes be a struggle, especially when you’re following a low carb diet or keto diet AND want to use your beloved Instant Pot! Even if you aren’t looking for keto bratwurst recipes, this will become a new family go-to recipe regardless.
Bratwurst in beer (and butter!) has quickly become one of our absolute favorite dinners and keto bratwurst recipes we enjoy regularly. While these have always turned out well in a crock-pot, cooking them in an Instant Pot instead takes these gems to a whole different level.
Adding a side of sugar-free sauerkraut or cooked cabbage makes this the perfect low carb bratwurst mea.! Or I guess you can skip the kraut if you’re on a beer and sausage diet 😉
We seriously couldn’t believe how juicy and tender the bratwurst turned out with this recipe, we’ll never go back to brats cooked in a slow cooker or oven again.
The kids also love this recipe too! When cooking bratwurst in a crock-pot all day, the sausages seem to get a little too infused with beer flavor for their liking. The IP solved this problem since it quickly infuses the bratwurst with both the beer AND the butter. That being said, if you LOVE beer, by all means, soak brats in beer overnight.
Instant Pot Brats With Beer
On to the ingredient list for your new favorite electric pressure cooker bratwurst recipe! 😉
Here’s what you need:
- 2 T butter
- 7 Costco size Johnsonville brats (these taste the best IMO). You, of course, can buy smaller packages from your grocery store
- 1 light beer- Michelob Ultra (any favorite beer of yours works, but this only has 2.6 Carbs for those looking for keto bratwurst recipes.)
NOTE: You can also cook brats without beer by either substituting a chicken broth, beef broth or alcohol-free beer.
Instructions:
Turn your Instant Pot to sauté and melt the butter
Saute brats 2-3 mins each side until lightly browned.
You’ll want to make sure they are laying down in a single line across the bottom, it’s fine to cook them in 2 batches if you can’t fit them all flat in the pot. Using long-handled rubber tip tongs are my favorite tool for flipping splattering foods.
Remove the brats and place your IP rack on the bottom of the pot. Place the brats on the rack and carefully pour the bottle of beer over the bratwurst.
There’s some debate online whether piercing your bratwurst with a fork before you cook them in a pressure cooker will keep them from exploding, and I can attest after forgetting to do this twice, the bratwurst did NOT explode. That being said, if it makes you feel a little better, it’s totally fine to prick each sausage with a fork 🙂
Cook on Manual high for 6 minutes (depending on your Instant Pot model, this setting might be called Manual or Pressure Cook.)
Slow Release 10 minutes or until the pressure valve releases.
Enjoy!
Instant Pot Frozen Brats?
If you have frozen bratwurst and are wondering if you can cook them in your pressure cooker, you’ll be happy to know it works just as well! You need to modify the recipe slightly since it doesn’t really work to brown the brats in butter when they’re frozen.
To cook instant pot frozen brats you’ll want to skip the saute step. You won’t want to miss out on the butter, so I’d melt that in the microwave and drizzle over the top or just add little pats of butter on the top of each frozen bratwurst.
Proceed with the recipe by pressuring cooking the bratwurst in the beer on a basket for 7 minutes. After the 10 minute slow release you’ll want to broil the instant pot frozen brats in the oven for 2-3 minutes to get that “just grilled” appearance.
Instant Pot Brats Cooker Time
Regarding the instant pot brats cooking time, I’ve made this recipe many times and in my pressure cooker, the perfectly done cooking time is 6 minutes. Other recipes I’ve found online for beer brats in a pressure cooker say less time than this and others say even longer. If you have other types of similar size uncooked sausage, I’d also recommend this for your instant pot sausage cooking time for other types of uncooked sausages too!
I highly suggest you use 6 minutes as your starting time since you don’t want to undercook your bratwurst OR overcook them. And then you can simply adjust your instant pot brats cooking time going forward with your own pressure cooker. But in my opinion, 6 minutes seems to be the perfect instant pot brats cooker time for the juiciest, moist and flavorful Johnsonville brats recipes.
Please post your comments below! If you have other pressure cooker bratwurst recipes that you love, please also share them with us 🙂
I hope you enjoy these amazing low carb instant pot brats!
Other Recipes You’ll Love
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
Easy Instant Pot Brats With Beer ~ Low Carb Too
An easy Instant Pot brats recipe for the best ever bratwurst recipe simmered in butter and beer, yet made in your pressure cooker! This is both keto, low carb and sugar free
Ingredients
- 2 T butter
- 7 Johnsonville Brats (or your favorite brand)
- 1 bottle of beer- Michelob Ultra works great for low carb
Instructions
- Turn on your instant pot and set to Saute
- Brown the bratwurst lightly in the butter on both sides, about 2-3 minutes each. You might need to brown these in two batches, depending on how many brats you're cooking and the size of your pressure cooker
- Remove all of the brats from the instant pot
- Place a rack on the bottom, set all of your bratwurst on top of the rack
- Carefully pour the light beer over the bratwurst
- Set your instant pot to Manual or Pressure Cook (depending on your model) and cook for 6 minutes
- Once done, do a Natural Release until the steam is released
- Enjoy!
Notes
Long handled rubber tip tongs work very well to turn the brats and remove them
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Hotec Premium Stainless Steel Locking Kitchen Tongs with Silicon Tips, Set of 2-9" and 12" - Johnsonville Brats Cooker
- Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Grain Maker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, Sous Vide, Bake, and Warmer|6 Quart|Easy-Seal Lid|14 Programs
Enjoy!
Stacey says
I love that you are not afraid to cook with a low carb beer like this!
I still enjoy an occasional Mich Ultra, and I’m driven nuts by the nasty looks I get when someone who knows I’m keto sees me with a low carb beer in my hand.
I’m making these brats, and I’m washing them down with a cold low carb beer. 😉 And despite the looks, I know I’ll stay in ketosis and even if I knock myself out today I’ll be back in Ketosis in no more than a few days. Life is good, keto on!
Keep up the good work.
WholeLottaYum says
Haha! I usually just grab whatever beer is in the fridge that’s on the milder side, but with my hubby on a keto diet, had to keep it low carb 🙂 Thank you and enjoy! Jen
Pamela says
I tried this with the beef broth and put sauerkraut over the brauts before using the pressure cooker.. my husband loved them. We’re having it again tonight!
WholeLottaYum says
It’s definitely one of our family favorites! Beef broth is an awesome substitute in place of the beer.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! I’ve never cooked them in beer before.
WholeLottaYum says
It’s fabulous and adds a nice flavor! Beef or chicken broth work well also, but imo, beer provides the richest flavor with brats.
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Thanks for the tip about poking it so they don’t explode!
WholeLottaYum says
I will add, I accidentally didn’t poke when I made them last week and they did not explode. Whew!
Linda says
I can’t wait to try this recipe. What do you usually make for a side dish?
WholeLottaYum says
We love roasted veggies, sauerkraut would be great also! 🙂
Lisa says
Just put this on and added some sliced cabbage to the pot. Thanks for the recipe!
WholeLottaYum says
Sounds amazing! Enjoy!
Rose says
Does it work to do more brats than 7 at a time? Like a dozen? If so, would u increase the time?
WholeLottaYum says
Yes! Adding more brats would work, but you’d need to saute them in batches first since that many can’t lay flat at one time.
Randy says
Great easy recipe. I pretty much follow what you do, then saute onions, I just use whatever beer to deglaze, put brats in a steamer basket with sautéed onions on top.
WholeLottaYum says
I love this idea, Randy! Making the beer brats with sautéed onions sounds amazing!
Norma cimini says
Onions are a must with beer brats! We have always boiled the brats, beer and onion
Together and then browned on the grill. Can’t wait to try the in the I.P.
WholeLottaYum says
Sounds delicious! Thanks for the tip, Norma!
Ashley says
Would this work with skinless brats as well?
WholeLottaYum says
Hi Ashley! Yes, it should work for skinless brats too. Enjoy!
Dave says
Simply outstanding! So easy in the instant pot to make. This was full of flavor. I give this 5 STARS!!
WholeLottaYum says
Thank you, Dave! I’m so glad you liked the instant brats, it’s one of our favorites for sure!
Meagan says
How much time to you add if the brats are frozen?
WholeLottaYum says
I would try adding 1 extra minute if the bratwurst are frozen. Jen
Kellie says
Made these tonight and they were delicious!! Will definitely add to the meal rotation.
JP says
For anyone concerned about cook time, because there are recipes online ranging from 4-10 min on high pressure, I followed this exactly, sear, cook for 6 min on high pressure (with the steam rack), and 10 min slow release, and they were perfect. No need to pierce the casings either. I don’t think I’ll ever make brats on the stovetop again, I think this takes the same amount of time when all is said and done but only makes one dirty dish and you can can prepare other dishes while they are cooking and they are perfectly cooked, not over or underdone.
WholeLottaYum says
Thank you for your feedback on the brats, JP! I totally agree, I won’t ever make brats on the stovetop again either, and admit I don’t grill them anymore either. 🙂 Jen
Gwendolyn says
I made this recipe with 10 brats. After sauteing in two batches and removing all the brats, I put a small amount of beef stock in the instant pot to deglaze it then used my steamer basket to hold all the brats and put sauerkraut on top and poured about 12 ounces of beef broth over all of it and set the pressure cooker for six minutes. I let it natural release for 20 minutes then quick released the remainder of the steam. When I opened the lid the sauerkraut had remained on top and the brats were delicious! I didn’t pierce them but none split open. I will definitely use this recipe again! I served it sauted onions, potato and pasta salad.
WholeLottaYum says
That sounds delicious Gwendolyn! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂 Jen
Peggi says
If I’m making a couple batches for a party, what would be the best way to keep them warm? I’ll be doing about 30
Nessa says
If we have no rack, can we just cook the brats with the beer?
WholeLottaYum says
Yep! Just skip the rack if you don’t have one or use a metal fold-up vegetable strainer.
Robertjm says
I’m confused. Unless you’re drinking the cooking fluid why does it matter if the beer is low carb, or not?
Does the pressure force that much into the brats?
WholeLottaYum says
Someone following a strict keto diet might prefer just to keep the whole recipe as low carb as possible, definitely use whatever beer you prefer!
Shellsys says
I have made these from frozen and found they browned just fine in the butter. This is a great way to cook brats quickly! They are plump and juicy.
WholeLottaYum says
That’s good to know! Thank you for sharing!
Jill Kerber says
Easy! Made them with the beer. Wil do again. Thanks for the others that gave some ideas.