Pork Costco Brat's (bratwurst)

[Parrothead1809]

Bumped into a total stranger at the brat display at Costco and he said they won't disappoint, so I picked up a pack.

Anyone tried them? Do you cold smoke them or smoke them at a high temp or simply put them on your gasser/charcoal grill?

I normally do my Italian Sweet sausages on the gas grill while the peppers & onions are heating in a pan (with olive oil and garlic). Once the sausages are done, I drop them in the same pan and bring the who thing to the table. Great eats and easy clean up.

Suggestions Welcome.

-PH

 

[Shedd]

I buy them regularly from Costco. I put them on my gas Webber. They are really good. My grandkids love them.

 

[Like Smoke]

I do mine on my charcoal Weber, I use lump charcoal and can put in a couple of pieces of hard wood chunks to kick the flavor up a bit. I adjust the vents so that I am cooking at a low temp and I usually have a few burger patties and sometimes some hot dogs going along with them. Brats will absorb a little smoke flavor thru the casings but not like a bare protein. I tried the boil in beer method once before the grill, but was not impressed with flavor. Now I just put them on the grill and drink the beer, seems to be more satisfying. Polish and Italian sausages come out fine also and you can always put a pan on the grill and heat up some sauerkraut while their cooking. I don't grill on my Traeger but if I was doing a large number of Brats I would use it for a low and slow cook. I think they will be great with either method you prefer, 160 degrees internal temp is recommended.

 

[Shedd]

I don’t grill on my Traeger either. I have put the brats on my green egg when I’m not rushed, they are really good smoked. Usually my grandkids are inpatient so I’ll throw them on my gas Webber to rush it a bit. Still really good. I’m actually making a Costco run tomorrow, I stay away from shopping for anything on the weekends, too many people, lol.

 

[caddz]

I smoke my Brats slow and low - there is definitely a big bump in flavour smoking them. But ya, in. a hurry I do Gas version of slow and low. slice them open right when they start pissing hot lava grease at you - crank em on high let them dry up a bit. (some like them juicy/uncut - we like them a bit dryer lubed up with mustard and onions).

 

[RayClem]

There are lots of ways to do brats. I have not tried the ones from Costso as we normally purchase Johnsonville Brats. They come from Sheboygen, WI, the bratwurst capital of the world. Of course, Johnsonville brats are mass produced and might not be as authentic as some other brands. I do not know who produces the Kirkland branded brats. There is some speculation that they are made by Johnsonville, but that has not been confirmed. Costco once sold Kirlkand hot dogs produced by Hebrew National, but I understand they now make them at their own plant. They might do something similar with brats.

I like boiling brats first to get rid of some of the salt and nitrites. This is especially true if they come with casings. I use either beer or water for boiling them and add Worchester sauce for added flavor.

After boiling, I take the brats to the grill. They can be done on the Traeger, a gas or charcoal grill, on a gas griddle or in a frying pan. Cooking them over a campfire would be ideal.

I do not know whether the Costco brats are cooked or uncooked. If they are uncooked, be sure they are cooked to a safe internal temperature.

 

[Parrothead1809]

I did them last Sunday on the gas grill and served them with peppers and onions just like I do with sweet sausages. They came out good. A bit heavier then sweet sausage, but still a good flavor. I may try them on the webber with coal next time. If I can dial in a good technique, they will be making an appearance at our tailgates this fall!

Thanks!
-Ph

 

[garciawork]

I LOVE those brats. I grab 3 or 4 when they have them, and split into 7 bags of 6 and freeze. Then, when they are on the menu, I typically boil them in beer (whatever is cheap, but NOT a lite beer, and an IPA gets them really flavorful) for 20 minutes, then grill for a few to darken the outside and enjoy with saurkraut.

Now that I have the traeger, I need to try smoking them low and slow, but I have no advice on how to do that yet.

 

[boggy]

As a new owner, I just tried to ease in with brats.
These were my first cook, and we absolutely love the way thes came out.
One happy camper, and even the little mrs liked em …such a different flavor compared to gas..

 

[Retinla53]

I don’t grill on my Traeger either. I have put the brats on my green egg when I’m not rushed, they are really good smoked. Usually my grandkids are inpatient so I’ll throw them on my gas Webber to rush it a bit. Still really good. I’m actually making a Costco run tomorrow, I stay away from shopping for anything on the weekends, too many people, lol.

I’m about to give up my Costco card for that same reason. Even crowded on weekdays. They have the same Brats at Sams. And they have App pay scan and walk out. I like a few things at Costco that Sam’s does not have. But, Looks like Sam’s won the blue ribbon. Soon as my Costco Card expires, I’m outta there

 

[RayClem]

I’m about to give up my Costco card for that same reason. Even crowded on weekdays. They have the same Brats at Sams. And they have App pay scan and walk out. I like a few things at Costco that Sam’s does not have. But, Looks like Sam’s won the blue ribbon. Soon as my Costco Card expires, I’m outta there

I used to be a member of both Costco and Sams. Most of the stuff I could purchase at Sams, I could purchase in smaller quantities at Walmart. I dropped my Sam's Club card more than 10 years ago.

I do not purchase a lot of meat at Costco as I am cooking for only my wife and I, so the Costco packages are larger than I need. One meat I do purchase there is pork loin chops. They are nice and thick, perfect for cooking on the Traeger. I will cook an entire package and freeze the extras.

There is a reason Costco is crowded. On most things the quality is good and the prices are fair. Most Kirkland branded products are excellent, as good or better than many brand names. We make a run about once a month to stock up on paper goods, detergent, canned goods and dietary supplements. Being retired, we try to get there just as they open. That helps with the crowding.

 

[Retinla53]

I used to be a member of both Costco and Sams. Most of the stuff I could purchase at Sams, I could purchase in smaller quantities at Walmart. I dropped my Sam's Club card more than 10 years ago.

I do not purchase a lot of meat at Costco as I am cooking for only my wife and I, so the Costco packages are larger than I need. One meat I do purchase there is pork loin chops. They are nice and thick, perfect for cooking on the Traeger. I will cook an entire package and freeze the extras.

There is a reason Costco is crowded. On most things the quality is good and the prices are fair. Most Kirkland branded products are excellent, as good or better than many brand names. We make a run about once a month to stock up on paper goods, detergent, canned goods and dietary supplements. Being retired, we try to get there just as they open. That helps with the crowding.

I do like the Kirkland brand of items. I’ll try getting there at opening on a weekday. Thanks for the advice Ray

 

[MidwestSmoker]

Reminds me of the Yogi Berra quote: "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded!"

 

[Retinla53]

Reminds me of the Yogi Berra quote: "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded!"

Lol that’s right!!

 

[Shedd]

I’ve got both Sam’s and Costco. I like them both for different reasons. I don’t go on the weekends and I usually go on Monday mornings. Sam’s opens a couple hours earlier than Costco so it makes it easier to hit both early and done.