Can You Freeze Bratwurst?

Bratwurst is that delicious German sausage that is the showstopper at any family BBQ. Topped with fried onions, cheese, and mayo, a bratwurst-hot-dog is pretty hard to beat.

The best way to preserve it over time is to cook and freeze it. Let’s take a look at how to preserve bratwurst in the freezer so you can thaw it at any time of the year.

How to Freeze Bratwurst

The good news is that bratwurst sausages are super easy to freeze, so you can place them in the freezer and ensure you have a year-round supply. Simply follow the instructions listed below to make sure your bratwurst is well frozen: 

1. Allow to Cool
   If you’ve cooked bratwurst and have some leftover, you need to allow it to cool to room temperature before you freeze it. The best way to do this is to leave it on a plate or bowl on the countertop and cover it with a paper towel. 
2. Arrange on a Baking Tray
   Cover a baking tray with greaseproof paper and place each piece of bratwurst on top. You should leave sufficient space between each piece so they’re not touching. Place them in the freezer for 2-3 hours. 
3. Remove and Transfer to Bags
   Once your bratwurst has frozen on the baking tray, remove the tray from the freezer. Transfer the bratwurst to a freezer-safe bag and squeeze out any excess air. You can then seal the bag ready to return it to the freezer.
   
   If you would prefer, you can also freeze bratwurst in a Tupperware box. Either method is fine.
4. Label and Return to Freezer
   Label the bags with the date that you cooked or bought the bratwurst, and also write on the use-by date. Remember, bratwurst can remain in the freezer for up to three months.  

3 Tips for Freezing Bratwurst

Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing bratwurst to have the best results:

Freeze Cooked and Raw Apart
If you want to freeze both raw and cooked bratwurst, it’s important that you freeze them separately. This will make it easier when it comes to defrosting, so you will know which is which. It also reduces the risk of cross-contamination. 

Refrigerate If Using Quickly
Bratwurst keeps in the refrigerator for 2-3 days after being purchased, and the same is true for cooked bratwurst. If you intend on using it soon after, you can cover it well and place it in the fridge instead of freezing it. 

Wrap Each Individually
If you want to skip the baking tray step and save some time, you can wrap each of the bratwursts individually in cling film and then place them in freezer-safe bags. This will prevent them from sticking together and means you don’t have to wait for them to freeze initially before removing the baking tray. 

How Long Can You Freeze Bratwurst?

You can freeze bratwurst for around 3 months. 

It’s helpful to know that you can freeze raw and cooked bratwurst in exactly the same way, and they both last for the same amount of time in the freezer. This means you don’t have to worry about wasting BBQ leftovers as you can pop them in the freezer and defrost them when convenient. 

You Can Freeze Bratwurst for up to 3 Months

How Do You Defrost Bratwurst?

There are a couple of ways you can defrost bratwurst. The best way is to take them out of the freezer the night before you plan to use them and leave them to thaw in the refrigerator. 

However, if you’re in a hurry, you can also defrost your bratwurst in the microwave. If thawing in the microwave, you should do so on a low setting, preferably the defrost setting and check regularly. You should cook them immediately if you’re defrosting them in the microwave.

You should never defrost bratwurst at room temperature, as harmful bacteria can grow on the meat when it’s out of the freezer or refrigerator. 

Can You Refreeze Bratwurst?

If you defrost your bratwurst in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking, although you might experience a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. 

You shouldn’t refreeze bratwurst that has already been cooked.

Do Bratwurst Freeze Well?

Whether it’s raw or cooked, bratwurst freezes extremely well. It’s the ideal ingredient to buy in bulk and then transfer to the freezer to be defrosted whenever you need to use it. 

Just remember to freeze raw and cooked bratwurst separately, as you don’t want to risk cross-contamination when reheating your food. 

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing bratwurst or bratwurst in general, then these may help: