Tbensel said in Brats - Cured or uncured?:
I am planning to make some brats and wanted to know what is the best way to make them.
I am originally thinking I would add cure and them smoke them as I would a summer sausage (to 160). That when when I want to cook them to eat it is like a “hot dog” meaning, I don’t have to worry about fully cooking them and can just heat them on the grill.
OR
Should I not add cure and then when I grill them I have to be more careful and make sure I cook them to the right temp.
I am thinking cure will give them a better taste but, I wanted to get some thoughts and feedback.
You can add cure to a bratwurst recipe and smoke them. What it will do is change the flavor and texture and will taste different than a fresh bratwurst.
There is no right or wrong answer here. Either way works and it is more about the flavor/style you are looking for. The method you choose will dictate the processing and cooking procedures you will use afterwards.