In keeping with the theme of Bars, and no not the local tavern. Brat Bar with Bacon Relish is an extension of our last post, Party Condiment Bar. 
If you have great condiments, you need something to put them on. Summer is for grilling and brat are perfect for grilling. Boil them in some beer, and they are ready to go. Place your brats in a pan large enough to hold them and cover them with beer. Add some onions, peppercorns, and even green peppers for additional flavor.
Boiling the brats first gives them a head start. In my experience, starting with raw brats, I end up with burnt brats, perhaps I need to hone my grilling skills? Or just use my short cut!
Topping for brats is a personal choice. Some folks like just the traditional ketchup, mustard, and relish. Then there are those of us who want something more. Brussels Brats with Honey Mustard Sauce was one of my more creative ideas, and if you love brussels sprouts this brat is for you!
Searching for a new brat topping, I was thinking onions. It’s Vidalia onion season and if you have never tried them, you absolutely must. In the world of onions, these are the gold standard. Grown in Vidalia County in Georgia. In 1990, the Vidalia onion became the official state vegetable of Georgia. The name “Vidalia” was trademarked and is owned by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. For an onion to be called a Vidalia onion, it must be produced in one of 13 counties and portions of 7 others in Georgia. The low-sulfur soil in these areas prevents that sharp onion taste, and so they are naturally sweeter.
Bacon….what else can be said about this perfect food? It can make anything taste wonderful. Add some Vidalia onions, and you have a match made in heaven.
Cook up some bacon, saute the onions until they are just starting to caramelize. Add in grainy mustard, a touch of brown sugar for sweetness, and apple cider vinegar. The result is the perfect brat topping!
Brat Bar with Bacon Relish encompasses all that is good about summer grilling. So load up on condiments and brats for Father’s Day, Fourth of July, or just because you have a hankering for brats!
Print
Brat Bar with Bacon Relish
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
4 slices thick cut applewood smoked bacon chopped
1 large sweet onion cut in half and sliced
1/3 cup grainy mustard
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon from skillet and allow to drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet. Add the sliced onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat. Cook onions 6 to 8 minutes, or until tender and starting to caramelize. Remove skillet from heat and stir in the mustard, brown sugar, and vinegar. Add the bacon back to the onion mixture in the skillet and mix well. Serve warm.
Keywords: bratwurst, vidalia onion, apple cider vinegar, mustard, bacon, grilling summer
