Go Back
How to Set Up the Ultimate Grilled Sausage Bar for a Crowd

Ultimate Grilled Sausage Bar

A colorful build-your-own sausage bar featuring four sausage varieties, toasted rolls, grilled vegetables, sauerkraut, pickles, and a generous selection of condiments. This flexible grill recipe serves about 8 people.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Sausages
  • 2 pounds Bratwurst
  • 1 pound Sweet Italian sausage
  • 1 pound Hot Italian sausage
  • 1 pound Kielbasa or other smoked sausage
  • 1 cup Beer, preferably lager or pilsner
For the Grill
  • 2 tablespoons Neutral oil or olive oil
  • 2 large Large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 Bell peppers, sliced
  • 12 Sausage rolls or hoagie rolls
Toppings
  • 24 ounces Sauerkraut, drained
  • 1 cup Yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup Dijon or whole-grain mustard
  • 1 cup Pickle relish
  • 1 jar, about 16 ounces Dill pickles
  • 1 cup Barbecue sauce or spicy mustard, optional
  • 1/2 cup Fresh parsley or chives, chopped, optional
Optional Onion-and-Pepper Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Brown sugar

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Drain the sauerkraut and place it in a small disposable pan or grill-safe skillet. Spoon the yellow mustard, Dijon or whole-grain mustard, relish, pickles, and optional sauces into separate serving bowls.
  2. Toss the sliced onions and bell peppers with the oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional brown sugar. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and prepare a grill basket or perforated pan.
  3. Grill the onions and peppers for 8 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and lightly charred. Transfer them to a serving dish or keep them warm in a covered grill-safe pan.
  4. Grill raw bratwurst and Italian sausages over medium heat, turning often, for about 12 to 18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Grill thinner kielbasa or smoked sausage for about 6 to 10 minutes, turning as needed.
  5. Check that raw pork or beef sausage reaches 160°F internally, poultry sausage reaches 165°F, and fully cooked smoked sausage is heated to 165°F for serving. If desired, place cooked sausages in a pan with the beer and hold them over indirect heat without boiling.
  6. Toast the cut sides of the rolls on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes. Watch them closely so they become lightly crisp without turning brittle.
  7. Arrange the sausages, toasted rolls, grilled vegetables, sauerkraut, condiments, pickles, and optional herbs buffet-style. Let guests choose their sausage and build a sandwich with as many toppings as they like.

Notes

Grill raw sausages over moderate heat and turn them frequently to prevent split casings and burnt exteriors. Keep cooked sausages warm in beer over indirect heat, but do not boil the liquid. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow airtight containers and reheat until hot throughout.