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grilling tips from Johnsonville

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Keeping your grill clean

Brush your grate before and after every grilling, also oil grate prior to grilling to help prevent food from sticking.

Choose the right charcoal

Lump charcoal is clean and pure. There are no foreign substances to ruin the flavor of your food. Lump charcoal burns hotter and produces less ash in the bottom of your grill.

Smoke your own brats

Spray water on your coals frequently and then cover to capture smoke. To infuse extra flavor, add hickory, mesquite, or oak chips to the coals.

Where there's smoke, there's wood chips

If using wood chips, plan ahead by first soaking in water for 30 to 60 minutes. If using wood chunks, soak in water for 2 to 3 hours. The wood chips will give off smoke that is certain to flavor up your sausage.

Infuse flavor into your grilling

Place chunks of onion, garlic or hot peppers into a heavy foil packet with olive oil and make sure that there are vent holes to let the aromatics escape. Cooking slowly allows the aroma to transfer to the meat and create a great added taste.

Grill with indirect heat

Rather than placing your sausage or vegetables directly over the heat source, try placing the heat on one side of the grill and your food in the middle. Then cover the grill to heat your food. This gives your food a smokier flavor and rich color.

Try something new: beer boiling

Boil your brats in beer, broth, water or ginger ale for 8 to 10 minutes. Finish them off on the grill until they're golden brown. The flavor is certain to impress your friends.

Give them room

When cooking meat or vegetables give them room so you can grill them instead of steaming.

Inject BBQ sauce into your brats

Inject BBQ sauce into brats using a marinade injector, then grill to get a delicious barbecue flavor.

Make brat kabobs

Slice brats into equal chunks and place onto skewers. Add your favorite vegetables and grill; it's that easy. (If you're using wooden skewers, consider soaking them for 30 minutes to prevent from burning.)

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Original Bratwurst

The original "thrill for the grill" that started an American fun food revolution. Perfect for any occasion and a favorite at picnics and barbecues everywhere. Available in 19.76 oz. trays and 48 oz. Party Packs.