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A tray of glossy caramelized sausages with deeply browned edges and tender onions, coated in a rich sticky glaze and served hot in a disposable aluminum pan.

Sticky Glazed Sausages with Caramelized Onions

Bratwurst or Italian sausages simmered with onions in a sticky sweet-savory glaze of brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and mustard. Caramelized, tender, and deeply flavorful.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs bratwurst or Italian sausages
  • 2 large onions sliced
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ cup water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large skillet with lid

Method
 

  1. Brown the sausages in a large skillet over medium-high heat until colored on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  2. Add sliced onions to the same pan and cook until they begin to soften and pick up the browned bits.
  3. Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and water.
  4. Nestle sausages back into the pan with the onions. Pour the sauce over everything.
  5. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 25–30 minutes, turning occasionally, until sausages are cooked through and sauce is thickening.
  6. Uncover for the last 5 minutes and let the glaze reduce until it coats the sausages.
  7. Serve hot with the caramelized onions spooned over the top.

Notes

Fresh, uncooked sausages work best. The glaze thickens and clings during the final uncovered minutes. Leftovers are excellent the next day on rolls with mustard.