What are Johnsonville Brats Made Out Of?

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

The original Johnsonville brats are made with premium cuts of pork, water, corn syrup, and a blend of spices. Since 1945, the company has stuck to a simple philosophy: use high-quality meat and spices to make great-tasting sausages.

Quick Summary

This article details the ingredients in Johnsonville's Original Brats, including the key components like premium pork and specific seasonings. It also clarifies common misconceptions, discusses the difference between fresh and cooked varieties, and provides nutritional information for better consumer understanding.

Key Points

Premium Pork: Johnsonville brats are primarily made from premium cuts of pork.
Secret Spice Blend: A unique, proprietary blend of herbs and spices gives the brats their distinct flavor.
Common Additives: Ingredients like water, corn syrup, salt, and dextrose are used for moisture, flavor balance, and texture.
Fresh vs. Cooked: Ingredients can vary slightly between fresh (raw) brats and fully cooked varieties, with the latter often being flame-grilled.
Gluten-Free Status: Many Johnsonville products are gluten-free, with the exception of specific varieties like the beer-flavored brats.
No Artificial Ingredients: Johnsonville's Original Brats are made without artificial colors, flavors, nitrates, or nitrites.
Flavor Protectors: BHA, propyl gallate, and citric acid are used as preservatives to protect the flavor.

Core Ingredients of Johnsonville Original Brats

Johnsonville is famous for its Original Brats, a product that has been a staple at cookouts for decades. The base of these sausages is high-quality pork, a crucial element for their flavor and texture. According to the ingredient list found on packaging, the core components are:

Pork: Premium cuts of pork are the primary meat used.
Water: This is added to help with the moisture content and texture of the sausage.
Corn Syrup: A common ingredient that aids in balancing flavor.
Salt: Used for seasoning and preservation.
Dextrose: Another type of sugar that contributes to flavor.
Pork Broth with Natural Flavorings: This enhances the overall pork flavor.
Natural Flavors: This is part of the secret blend of spices and herbs that define the Johnsonville taste.
BHA, Propyl Gallate, Citric Acid: These are added to help protect the flavor and preserve the freshness of the product.

Johnsonville emphasizes that its original brats do not contain any artificial colors, flavors, nitrates, or nitrites. This focus on quality and flavor protection is a key part of their legacy.

Fresh vs. Fully Cooked Brats

Not all Johnsonville brats are the same, and the ingredients can vary slightly depending on whether you purchase the fresh (raw) or fully cooked versions. The fresh brats require cooking to an internal temperature of 160°F. The fully cooked versions, such as the Stadium Style Brats, are a convenient option for those who want a quicker meal.

Fresh Original Brats: These are made for grilling and typically come in a natural casing.

Fully Cooked Brats: These are pre-browned and ready to heat and serve, offering superior flavor from being flame-grilled during production. The ingredients might vary slightly to account for the pre-cooking process, but they are still made with premium cuts of pork.

Other Popular Johnsonville Varieties

Beyond the Original, Johnsonville offers a wide range of bratwurst flavors, each with its own specific ingredients. For example, their Beer Brats include Wisconsin beer in their recipe, while Hot 'n Spicy brats contain a blend of Cajun-style seasonings. For those with dietary restrictions, it's always best to check the specific product label. The company also offers gluten-free options and beef-only varieties.

A Closer Look at the Manufacturing Process

Johnsonville brats are produced with a commitment to consistency and quality. The process typically involves grinding the premium pork, mixing it with the special blend of spices and other ingredients, and stuffing the mixture into casings. The company, which remains family-owned, still operates on the same core principles established when it began as a small butcher shop in Wisconsin in 1945. This family-owned tradition is something Johnsonville prides itself on, suggesting a personal commitment to the product's quality.

For most varieties, the meat is coarsely ground, which contributes to the brat's satisfying texture. While the exact 'natural flavors' or 'secret blend' of spices are proprietary, they are what give the sausage its unique and recognizable profile.

Comparison Table: Original vs. Beer Brats


Feature	Original Brats	Beer Brats
Primary Meat	Premium cuts of pork	Premium cuts of pork
Key Flavoring	Proprietary spice blend	Wisconsin beer
Texture	Juicy, robust flavor from premium pork	Juicy, robust flavor from premium pork and beer
Preparation	Cook fresh from raw state	Can be cooked fresh or purchased fully cooked
Nitrates/Nitrites	No artificial nitrates or nitrites	No artificial nitrates or nitrites
Gluten-Free Status	Generally gluten-free	May contain gluten due to beer content

The Johnsonville Legacy of Quality

Beyond the ingredients, Johnsonville's brand identity is built on a foundation of quality and tradition. The company's origins in a small Wisconsin butcher shop, and its enduring status as a family-owned business, contribute to its reputation for great-tasting, reliable sausages. This heritage is a source of trust for many consumers who choose Johnsonville products for their grilling and cooking needs.

Conclusion: The Simple Answer for a Delicious Brat

In summary, the essence of what are Johnsonville brats made out of lies in their use of premium cuts of pork combined with a proprietary, and often secret, blend of spices and seasonings. The final flavor profile is further defined by other added ingredients, such as corn syrup and natural flavors, and the preparation method, whether fresh or fully cooked. The company's commitment to avoiding artificial additives in its original varieties is also a notable aspect of its product formulation. Ultimately, a Johnsonville brat is a carefully crafted product built on a long-standing family tradition of quality sausage-making. You can find more information about their products and company history on the official Johnsonville website.

The Johnsonville Website

For a detailed overview of the company's product line and ingredients, visit Johnsonville.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Johnsonville products, including the Original Brats, are gluten-free, with the notable exception of the beer-flavored bratwursts. Consumers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should always check the label for the specific product they are purchasing.

Johnsonville's Original Brats are made without artificial nitrates or nitrites. They use other methods, such as BHA, propyl gallate, and citric acid, to protect the flavor and freshness.

The primary meat used in Johnsonville's Original Brats is premium cuts of pork. Some specialty varieties may include other meats, such as beef in their Beef Brats.

No, Johnsonville offers both fresh (raw) brats that need to be cooked and fully cooked varieties, such as their Stadium Style and Smoked Brats. The fully cooked options are heat-and-serve.

While the exact blend is proprietary, Johnsonville uses a combination of natural flavors and spices. The Original Bratwurst ingredients list includes 'Natural Flavors' as part of this secret mix. Other varieties, like the Hot 'n Spicy, use different blends.

Corn syrup is used to add a touch of sweetness and to help balance the overall flavor profile of the bratwurst. It is also listed as an ingredient in the Original Bratwurst recipe.

A brat bursting while cooking is often a result of cooking it over too high heat, too quickly. Brats should be cooked low and slow to prevent the casing from splitting and to ensure they cook evenly without losing their juices.