When I first got my "Warthog" bbq trailer, I jokingly guestimated that I could fit 250+ bratwursts in it at one time.
We were going to make a bunch of smoked bologna for some friends and co-workers this weekend so I decided to toss a pack of Johnsonville brats in the smoker too. I have yet to determine the actual "maximum brat capacity" of the Warthog, but these sure tasted good.
Grilled brats have a golden color while smoked brats take on a deep hue of mahogany. Grilled brats usually also get cooked in liquid but these smoked ones would not, so I added a simple mustard glaze to help retain moisture and encourage a smoke ring. Smoking them also takes at least 3-4 times as long but the extra flavor is worth it.
I smoked them at 250f using splits of hickory, oak, and cherry wood for about 2 hours. Some folks like to give the brats more time in the smoke by starting at a lower cooking temp and increasing that temp gradually. Neither way is wrong, I just find that cooking them straight is easier, faster, and gives them just enough smoke flavor without over powering them.
Mustard Glazed Smoked Bratwurst with Chow-Chow
www.nibblemethis.com
Ingredients
- 1 package Johnsonville Brats
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp bbq rub
- 5 hot dog buns
- 3/4 cup chow-chow
Instructions
- Prepare your smoker and preheat to 250f. If I was doing this on a charcoal grill set up for indirect grilling, I'd add 2 cups of wood chips or 2-4 fist sized chunks to the coal. For a gas grill I would fill a smoker box with chips and follow the manufacturer's directions for proper placement of the box.
- Mix the mustard, honey and rub together. Slather onto the raw brats
- Smoke until the brats reach an internal temperature of 170f, about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Turn halfway through cooking if using an indirect grill. You shouldn't have to flip them for a smoker.
- Serve on buns and top with some of the chow-chow
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| Slathered and in the smoker. |
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| Not yet adorned with chow-chow, just so you can see the mahogany color. |
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| I've said it before but chow-chow is THE best topping for brats. |
Our older son was at the house just as these came off and helped devour them. We liked these so much that I want to do this at a Tennessee tailgate next season and feed the crowds. Heck, I might even finally figure out how many brats will fit in the Warthog.
Oh yeah, check this out.
It is a trailer jack for moving the bbq trailer (or small campers, trailers, etc) around a location. It makes maneuvering easy since I'm not having to lift at the same time. The wide tires should also work at competition sites where a one wheel wind-down type might dig into the soil/grass/gravel. We got it at a local store for about $89. I found the same model (Maxxtow Towing Products 70225 Trailer Dolly - 600 lbs. Capacity) for $67.49 at Amazon.
[Standard Disclaimer] Johnsonville is a partner of Nibble Me This and I get free brats and other compensation from them. I have an affiliate account with Amazon.
