This recipe is sponsored by NAKANO Rice Vinegar.
Summer might be over but it’s never too late to fire up the grill for some bratwurst!
Brats are a popular German dish and while packed with savory flavor, can be high in saturated fat and sodium, two things that should be limited on a healthy diet. This lightened-up take made with chicken apple sausage and a kimchi-inspired quick sauerkraut embodies the classic taste we love but with a nutritious twist. For a naturally gluten-free take on this recipe, try sweet potato “buns” in lieu of traditional buns. Doing so increases the vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants in this dish.
This recipe marries the flavors of traditional Korean kimchi with German sauerkraut. Both sauerkraut and kimchi are German and Korean versions of fermented veggies respectively but have distinct qualities that make them unique.
Sauerkraut is made with shredded cabbage that has been fermented and has more of a sour flavor. Kimchi is made with a variety of veggies like radishes, Chinese cabbage and flavorful ingredients like Gochujang, rice vinegar and fish sauce. Both being fermented foods means that they contain probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that support immune and gut health. However, for the purpose of this quick weeknight dinner recipe, I’ve sped up the process with a quick Kimchi-inspired sauerkraut that comes together in minutes.
NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar brings a mild, slightly sweet flavor to the sauerkraut. NAKANO Rice Vinegars come in a variety of delectable flavors that offer multiple ways to personalize and add Asian-inspired flavor fusion to recipes you love including salad dressings, marinades and sauces.
For eight generations, NAKANO Rice Vinegar has really perfected a classic, clean taste that’s perfect for creating delicious, accessible, Asian-inspired recipes at home. As many of us are spending more time at home cooking, NAKANO Rice Vinegar is a great pantry staple to have on hand that can add a flavor boost to your favorite recipes and weeknight meals, making it a necessity for your shopping list. Look for NAKANO in the vinegar aisle at the grocery store!
If you make this, be sure to share with me on Instagram and follow my blog and NAKANO’s Instagram and website for more easy recipes!
German Brats with Kimchi-Inspired Quick Sauerkraut
Ingredients
Brats:
- 6 6 apple chicken sausages
- 6 buns or 6 sweet potato “buns”
Kimchi-Inspired Quick Sauerkraut:
- 1 head Chinese cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar or NAKANO Organic Natural Rice Vinegar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1-inch knob fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tsp gochujang
- 1 cup carrot, shredded
- 1 cup green onion, diced
Instructions
- *If making sweet potato buns, preheat oven to 425 F. Wash sweet potatoes and use a fork to poke holes all around each. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes-1 hour or until cooked through.
- To make kimchi-inspired sauerkraut, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ingredients to the skillet with 2/3 cup of water. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender, about 20-25 minutes. Add water as needed.
- Preheat grill to medium and cook sausages, turning regularly for about 10 minutes or until cooked through and browned.
- Serve sausages in a roll or sweet potato “bun” with Kimchi-inspired quick sauerkraut.
