The Perfect Side Dish For Thuringian Bratwurst

Hearty and robust in taste, wrapped in roasted aromas and well-seasoned – the Thuringian Rostbratwurst doesn't really need side dishes to be the star on the plate. But when preparing a lunch or dinner, grilling, or just having a snack, it can sometimes be more than just the sausage. You should definitely try these side dishes with Thuringian Bratwurst.

The Classic: Potatoes And Sauerkraut

Thuringians love traditions, especially when it comes to their culinary achievements like the famous Thuringian Rostbratwurst or Thuringian dumplings. As an everyday meal, the bratwurst is often eaten only with bread or rolls. If side dishes are to be served with Thuringian Rostbratwurst, many Thuringians opt for potatoes and sauerkraut. The robust taste of the bratwurst pairs perfectly with the fresh tangy kraut, with or without bacon bits.

When it comes to potatoes as a side dish for Thuringian bratwurst, anything goes. Boiled potatoes, jacket potatoes, fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even fries complement the sausage perfectly with their mild taste, adding the necessary carbohydrates to keep you full and satisfied throughout the day. The side dishes should not be too salty, to avoid overshadowing the bratwurst's flavor. A dollop of medium-hot mustard goes well with the bratwurst with potatoes and sauerkraut, a classic in itself, also on bread and rolls.

Whether Thuringian dumplings, also made from potato dough, should be served with bratwurst is a matter of debate. They are typically served with roulades or roast slices, and in winter with duck or goose, but rarely with rostbratwurst. Nevertheless, this combination is worth trying. Especially stuffed dumplings can make a delicious and substantial side dish for Thuringian bratwurst, together with a well-thickened brown sauce. A few fried onions or brown-fried onion rings complete the plate.

Barbecuing With Thuringian Rostbratwurst And Side Dishes

Few sausages are as popular with grill enthusiasts as the Thuringian Rostbratwurst. Grilled over charcoal, it releases all its aromas and gets a nice browning. For those who like to serve potatoes as a side dish with Thuringian bratwurst, a Thuringian potato salad is a must.

Of course, every Thuringian family has its own traditions about what ingredients absolutely belong in potato salad and what should be avoided. Most Thuringians prepare their potato salad with jacket potatoes, apple, onion, pickles, egg, vinegar, and oil. A modern twist includes radishes or other fruity accents in the salad. Most households avoid adding mayonnaise. If at all, a little cream is mixed in.

Pasta salads and mixed vegetable salads also go well with bratwurst. Be careful that the spices don't overpower the sausage's natural flavor. A strong chickpea salad or meat salad, for example, is better enjoyed separately.

For The Extravagant: Special Side Dishes For Thuringian Bratwurst

The Thuringian Rostbratwurst has long been so well-known and popular on German plates that it is combined with anything that tastes good. One often comes across a "Bratwurst Hotdog Hawaii", a creation with fruity flavors from avocado, mango, and lime, bratwurst with curry sauce or spicy Spanish dips for the sausage.

For lovers of the genuine Thuringian bratwurst, fruity salads are unusual. But more and more people inside and outside of Thuringia enjoy experimenting with traditional recipes and adding oriental spices or fruity accents.

One way to spice up the Thuringian Rostbratwurst without much adventure is the combination with exotic mustard. Especially fruity mustard varieties like fig mustard match the hearty bratwurst perfectly. To keep the rostbratwurst the focal point of the plate, always serve the mustard separately, either on the edge of the plate or in an additional bowl. Ideal companions include honey mustard, pineapple-curry mustard, or fruity chutneys.

For some time now, Thuringia has also become known for its truffles. Therefore, bratwursts are increasingly being offered as a delicacy with truffle. However, the original Thuringian Rostbratwurst must not contain truffle, as the ingredients of this cultural asset are strictly regulated. You can still enjoy fresh truffle as a side dish to Thuringian bratwurst. We recommend grating only small amounts of the rare tubers over the bratwurst or the potato side dish to avoid overshadowing the natural flavor. By incorporating Thuringian truffle as a premium ingredient, you create true highlights in any menu.

Enjoying Thuringian Bratwurst Without Side Dishes?

The Thuringian Rostbratwurst can be combined and served with numerous side dishes. However, most Thuringians find it especially delicious simply in a roll with a bit of mustard. Most snack bars and grill enthusiasts opt for rolls with little distinct flavor. Even a pumpkin seed roll would steal the show too much. Instead, the simple roll perfectly highlights the full, hearty taste of the bratwurst.

Therefore, when grilling with friends, family, or colleagues, we recommend always giving the choice of whether a side dish is even desired. Many Thuringians also like to bite straight into the sausage without fancy dips or elaborate plating with sides and sauces.

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