How Long to Grill Brats (Gas, Charcoal, Pellet) | DDR BBQ Supply

Everything You Need to Know About How Long to Grill Brats

How long to grill brats is one of the most common questions backyard cooks ask once the grill is hot and the bratwurst hits the grate. If you pull them too early, you’re dealing with undercooked sausage. Leave them on too long, and you end up with split casings, dried-out meat, and flare-up drama. This guide breaks down exactly how to grill brats on gas, charcoal, and pellet grills, what temp to grill brats at, and how long to cook brats on a grill whether they’re fresh, parboiled, or frozen.

Why Time and Temperature Matter for Brats
What Temperature to Grill Brats
How Long to Grill Brats on a Gas Grill
How Long to Cook Brats on a Charcoal Grill
How Long to Cook Brats on a Pellet Grill
Fresh, Parboiled, and Frozen Brats: Timing Guide
Step-by-Step: How to Grill the Perfect Brat
Best Way to Grill Brats for Juicy, Snappy Results
Troubleshooting Brats on the Grill
FAQ: How Long to Grill Brats and Bratwurst Timing

Why Time and Temperature Matter for Brats on the Grill

Why time and temperature matter for brats on the grill comes down to one big goal: fully cooked, juicy sausage with a snappy casing and no blowouts. When you’re learning how to grill brats or how to cook brats on grill setups of any kind, remember you’re cooking ground pork (or a pork blend) inside a casing. You want gentle, even heat so the interior reaches a safe internal temperature without bursting the outside.

Most questions like “how long to cook brats on grill,” “how long does it take to grill brats,” or “brats on grill how long” are really about balancing three things:

Grill temperature – what temp to grill brats at (gas, charcoal, or pellet).
Brat type – raw/bratwurst, parboiled, or pre-cooked.
Cook method – direct vs indirect heat and how often you move or rotate the brats.

If you understand what temperature to grill brats and how long brats on grill typically take, you’ll stop guessing and start turning out consistent, restaurant-quality bratwurst every time.

What Temperature to Grill Brats (and Internal Temp)

What temperature to grill brats is just as important as how long to grill a brat. Bratwurst is usually made from pork, and you want the interior to hit a safe internal temperature of about 160°F without drying out or splitting the casing.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what temp do you grill brats at and how that affects how long to cook brats on grill:

Best grill temp for brats: 350°F–375°F over indirect or moderate direct heat.
What temp to grill brats at (gas grill): Set burners to medium or medium-low, around 350°F.
What temp grill brats on charcoal: Aim for a medium-hot zone where you can hold your hand above the grate for 4–5 seconds.
What temp to cook brats on pellet grill: 350°F is the sweet spot for most setups.

Questions like “what temperature should I grill brats,” “what grill temp for brats,” “what temperature do you grill brats,” and “what temperature to grill bratwurst” all land in the same range: a steady medium heat around 350°F, giving you enough time for the inside to cook before the outside burns. Use a reliable instant-read thermometer like the FireBoard Spark Instant-Read Thermometer to confirm doneness instead of guessing.

How Long to Grill Brats on a Gas Grill

How long to grill brats on gas grill setups depends on your temperature and whether you’re cooking fresh, parboiled, or pre-cooked brats. In most “how to grill brats on gas grill” scenarios, medium heat and patience are your best friends.

Here’s a general guide for how long do you grill brats on a gas grill at around 350°F:

Fresh (raw) brats: 18–22 minutes, turning every 3–4 minutes.
Pre-cooked brats: 8–10 minutes to heat through and crisp the casing.
Parboiled brats: 10–12 minutes after boiling to finish on the grill.

If you’re wondering “how long to grill brats at 350,” “how long to cook raw brats on grill,” or “how long do I grill brats,” those 18–22 minutes for raw brats at medium heat are your baseline. Keep them moving, avoid huge flare-ups, and check internal temperature near the end of the cook.

Want more control over your turn and flip game? Upgrade your tool kit with heavy-duty tools like the Broil King Baron 16" BBQ Tongs or the Chef Master High Heat Extra Heavy Turner Spatula so you can move brats quickly and gently without tearing casings.

How Long to Cook Brats on a Charcoal Grill

How long to cook brats on charcoal grill setups comes down to controlling your coal bed and creating a two-zone fire. When people ask “how long to grill brats charcoal” or “how to cook brats on charcoal grill,” they’re usually battling hot spots and flare-ups from dripping fat.

For medium heat, use a quality lump or briquette from a collection like the premium options in DDR BBQ Supply’s charcoal collection. Once your coals are ashy and settled, set up a hot side and a cooler indirect side.

Here’s how long do brats take to grill over charcoal at a medium heat level:

Fresh/raw bratwurst: 18–22 minutes total, starting indirect then finishing over direct heat for color.
Pre-cooked brats: 8–10 minutes, mostly over direct heat with frequent turning.
Parboiled brats: 10–12 minutes total, moving between zones to avoid scorching.

If you’re wondering “how long to grill brats on charcoal” or “how to cook brats on a grill with live fire,” think of it this way: bring them up to temperature slowly on the cooler side, then give them a quick finishing sear. This is one of the best ways to cook brats on grill grates without splitting casings.

How Long to Cook Brats on a Pellet Grill

How long to cook brats on pellet grill setups is usually more predictable because pellet grills hold a steady temperature. If you’re asking “how to cook brats on a pellet grill” or “what temp to cook brats on pellet grill,” you’ll follow the same 350°F guideline.

Set your pellet grill to 350°F using a quality blend from a collection like DDR BBQ Supply’s premium wood for smoking meat. Place the brats on the main grate and cook over direct heat.

Here’s how long do raw brats take to grill on a pellet cooker:

Fresh/raw brats: 18–22 minutes at 350°F.
Pre-cooked brats: 8–10 minutes at 350°F.
Parboiled brats: 10–12 minutes at 350°F.

If you want more browning, you can bump the pit from 350°F to 400°F for the last 3–5 minutes. That’s a great answer when someone asks “how long to grill brats at 400” on a pellet grill—most of the cook still happens at 350°F, with a short higher-heat finish.

Fresh, Parboiled, and Frozen Brats: Timing Guide

Fresh, parboiled, and frozen brats all behave differently over the flames, so it’s no surprise questions like “how long to grill brats after boiling,” “how long to cook frozen brats on grill,” and “how long to grill raw brats” all have slightly different answers. Here’s how to think about each type.

Fresh (Raw) Brats

When you’re dealing with raw bratwurst and wondering how long to cook raw brats on grill or how long to grill uncooked brats, plan on 18–22 minutes at 350°F, no matter whether you’re on gas, charcoal, or pellet. This is also what most people mean when they ask “how long does it take to cook brats on a grill” or “how long to grill raw bratwurst.”

Parboiled Brats

For parboiled brats—where you’ve simmered them gently in beer or water first—your questions become “how long to grill boiled brats” or “how long do you grill brats after boiling.” Because they’re mostly cooked through, the grill is all about finishing:

Grill time after boiling: 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
Turn every 2–3 minutes for even browning.
Still verify an internal temp of 160°F before serving.

Pre-Cooked Brats

Pre-cooked brats just need to be reheated and crisped. That’s where questions like “how long to grill brats for,” “how long should you grill brats,” or “how long do you grill bratwurst” get short answers:

Pre-cooked grill time: 8–10 minutes at 350°F.
Turn frequently to avoid hot spots and burning.

Frozen Brats

Can you grill frozen brats? Yes—but it’s not ideal. If you’re stuck and want to know “how long to cook frozen brats on grill,” plan on adding 5–10 extra minutes and cook over lower heat at first. You’ll be closer to 25–30 minutes total as the brats thaw, cook, and brown on the grill. Move them more frequently and be extra careful checking internal temperature.

Time and Temperature Table for Brats on the Grill

Here’s a quick reference table that pulls together many of the “how long grill brats,” “how long to cook brat on grill,” and “how long to bbq brats” questions into one place.

Grill Type	Grill Temp	Brat Type	Time on Grill	Notes
Gas Grill	350°F	Fresh/raw brats	18–22 minutes	Turn every 3–4 minutes; finish at 160°F internal.
Gas Grill	350°F	Pre-cooked brats	8–10 minutes	Brown casing; avoid high flames.
Gas Grill	350°F	Parboiled brats	10–12 minutes	Answer to “how long to grill brats after boiling.”
Gas Grill	400°F	Fresh/raw brats	15–18 minutes	More browning; watch carefully.
Gas Grill	450°F	Fresh/raw brats	12–15 minutes	Only for experienced grillers; high risk of splitting.
Charcoal Grill	Medium (≈350°F)	Fresh/raw brats	18–22 minutes	Indirect to start, then sear over direct coals.
Charcoal Grill	Medium (≈350°F)	Pre-cooked	8–10 minutes	Turn often to avoid flare-ups.
Pellet Grill	350°F	Fresh/raw brats	18–22 minutes	Even heat; easy answer to “how long to cook brats on pellet grill.”
Pellet Grill	350°F	Pre-cooked	8–10 minutes	Gentle, even reheating and browning.
Any Grill	350°F	Frozen brats	25–30 minutes	Lower heat, turn often, check internal temp carefully.

Step-by-Step: How to Grill the Perfect Brat

Step-by-step how to grill the perfect brat will answer almost every “how to grill brats,” “how to cook bratwurst on grill,” “how to grill a brat,” and “how to grill bratwurst on gas grill” question in one go.

Preheat your grill. For gas, preheat to 350°F over medium heat. For charcoal, build a two-zone fire using quality fuel from DDR BBQ Supply’s premium charcoal collection. For pellet grills, set to 350°F with a pellet blend from our premium wood collection.
Season or sauce strategically. Brats don’t usually need a heavy coating of BBQ rub, but a light sprinkle of a pork-friendly seasoning can add extra flavor. Try a moderate dusting of SuckleBusters Hog Waller Pork BBQ Rub, Double Dun Ranch BBQ Pork Rub, or a touch of heat from War Pig FUBAR Flamethrower if you like a little kick.
Oil or spray the grates. To prevent sticking and help the casing crisp, lightly oil the grates or use a high-performance cooking spray like Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray. This is one of the best ways to grill bratwurst when you want golden, snappy skin without tearing.
Place brats over medium heat. For gas grills, that’s the main cooking zone at 350°F. For charcoal, start them on the indirect side. For pellet grills, the main grate works perfectly at 350°F. This is the foundation for any “how to cook brats grill method” you choose.
Turn frequently. Use sturdy tools like the Broil King Baron 16" BBQ Tongs, the Chef Master High Heat Extra Heavy Turner, or the full Dalstrong 4-Piece Premium Grill Kit to gently rotate brats every 3–4 minutes. This keeps the cook even and prevents hot-side burn.
Check internal temperature. When questions like “how long to grill bratwurst,” “how long to cook brats grill,” or “how long to grill a bratwurst” come up, the real answer is “until they’re 160°F in the center.” Use the FireBoard Spark Instant-Read Thermometer for quick, accurate temp checks.
Finish with high heat (optional). If you want more browning, move the brats over slightly higher heat for the last 2–3 minutes. This is where questions like “how long to grill brats at 400” or “how long to grill brats at 450” come into play. Keep this hot phase short to avoid splitting.
Rest and serve. Give the brats a few minutes to rest before serving in buns or on a platter. This helps juices redistribute, giving you that juicy interior you’re after when you search for “best way to grill brats” or “best way to grill bratwurst.”

Best Way to Grill Brats for Juicy, Snappy Results

Best way to grill brats on gas grill, charcoal, or pellet setups all share the same core techniques: moderate heat, frequent turning, and finishing when the internal temperature hits 160°F. This is the answer behind nearly every “how do you grill brats,” “how to grill brats gas grill,” and “how to grill the perfect brat” question.

Here are a few pro tips for dialing in the best way to cook brats on grill:

Use indirect heat early. Especially on charcoal, start brats away from the hottest coals, then move them to direct heat at the end for color.
Don’t stab or pierce the casing. That just drains juices. Use tongs and spatulas designed for grilling.
Use a mesh mat if you’re worried about sticking. A product like the Mesh Cooking Mat keeps brats from sticking or rolling while still giving you that grilled texture.
Protect your hands. When working over high heat—especially at 400°F–450°F—use quality protection from a collection like DDR BBQ Supply’s barbecue gloves to handle grates, pans, and tools safely.
Finish with sauces the right way. Rather than drowning brats in sauce on the grill, brush on a thin layer of flavor-forward sauces like Myron Mixon Sweet Heat Mustard Sauce or Texas Pepper Jelly Mustard Chipotle in the last few minutes to glaze without burning.

Once you lock in this approach, you’ll have a rock-solid bratwurst grill recipe in your back pocket whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a big game-day spread.

Troubleshooting Brats on the Grill

Troubleshooting brats on the grill usually comes down to a few classic issues that drive all the “how long does it take to grill a brat,” “how long should I grill brats,” or “how long to grill brats on propane grill” questions. Here’s how to fix the most common problems.

Brats Are Splitting or Bursting

Your grill is too hot. Drop from 450°F down to 350°F.
You’re cooking too long over direct flames. Move to indirect heat early in the cook.
Skip boiling at a rolling boil. If you parboil, keep it to a gentle simmer.

Brats Are Brown Outside but Raw Inside

Heat is too high (especially over charcoal).
Cook indirect first, then sear at the end.
Always verify doneness with an instant-read thermometer like the FireBoard Spark.

Brats Are Dry or Overcooked

You’re cooking past 160°F internal.
You’re leaving them over high heat after they’re done.
Reduce grill temp and shorten the hot-sear finishing phase.

FAQ: How Long to Grill Brats and Bratwurst Timing

How long to grill brats at 350?

At 350°F, how long to grill brats at 350 is usually 18–22 minutes for fresh brats and 8–10 minutes for pre-cooked versions. This holds true on gas grills, pellet grills, and well-controlled charcoal grills.

How long to grill brats at 400 or 450?

Higher heat shortens the answer to “how long to grill brats at 400” or “how long to grill brats at 450,” but it increases your risk of split casings. Plan on 15–18 minutes at 400°F and 12–15 minutes at 450°F for fresh brats, turning very frequently and watching closely.

How long to cook brats on a gas grill?

For most backyard setups, how long to cook brats on a gas grill at 350°F is 18–22 minutes for raw brats and 8–10 minutes for pre-cooked ones. This also covers questions like “how long do you cook brats on a gas grill” and “how long to grill bratwurst on gas grill” as long as you’re using medium heat.

How long to cook brats on a charcoal grill?

For charcoal cooks, how long to cook brats on a charcoal grill is also 18–22 minutes for fresh bratwurst at medium heat, using a two-zone fire. This is the simplest way to answer “how long to grill brats charcoal” or “how to bbq bratwurst over live coals.”

How long to cook brats on a pellet grill?

On a pellet cooker set to 350°F, how long to cook brats on pellet grill setups is typically 18–22 minutes for fresh brats and 8–10 minutes for pre-cooked. Steady heat makes “how long does it take to grill bratwurst” much easier to manage.

How long to bbq brats overall?

When people ask “how long to bbq brats” or “how long does it take to cook brats on a grill,” they’re generally talking about raw brats. Across most grills, the answer is 18–22 minutes at about 350°F, with an internal temperature target of 160°F.

How long to grill brats after boiling?

If you parboil, how long to grill brats after boiling is about 10–12 minutes over medium heat. This also answers “how long do you grill brats after boiling,” as long as you’re just finishing them and not trying to cook them from raw over high heat.

How long to grill frozen brats?

When you have no choice but to cook from frozen, how long to grill frozen brats is typically 25–30 minutes at lower heat. Start them on the cooler side of the grill, turn often, and finish over slightly higher heat once they thaw internally.

How long do raw brats take to grill?

For fresh sausage, how long do raw brats take to grill is almost always 18–22 minutes at about 350°F, regardless of grill type. This timing fits phrases like “how long to grill raw bratwurst,” “how long to grill uncooked brats,” and “how long do you cook brats on grill.”

What temp to grill brats and what temperature should I grill brats?

If you’re still wondering “what temp to grill brats,” “what temp should you grill brats,” or “what temperature should I grill brats,” aim for a steady 350°F. This “best temperature to grill brats” gives the casing time to brown and the interior time to reach 160°F without drying out.

How to grill brats on gas, charcoal, and pellet grills?

Whether you’re asking “how to grill brats on gas grill,” “how to cook brats on a charcoal grill,” “how to cook brats on gas grill,” or “how to cook brats on a pellet grill,” the core method is the same: cook over medium heat, turn frequently, finish at 160°F internal, and rest briefly before serving.

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