October 21, 2025
Background
Bratwurst vs Frankfurter – What’s the Difference Between Germany’s Favourite Sausages?
Bratwurst vs Frankfurter – the ultimate guide to Germany’s most famous sausages. Explore their origins, flavours and best uses for UK caterers and retailers.

Two Icons of German Flavour

Ask anyone to name a German sausage, and you’ll almost always hear the words Bratwurst and Frankfurter.
Both are beloved around the world — grilled at Oktoberfest, served at street markets, and enjoyed in pubs and restaurants across the UK.
Yet even among sausage lovers, many still wonder: What’s the real difference between Bratwurst vs Frankfurter?

At The Sausage Haüs, we craft both varieties using centuries-old German recipes, allowing us to explain exactly what sets these classics apart — and why each deserves a place on your menu.

Bratwurst and Frankfurter sausages grilling over open fire – authentic German sausages cooked outdoors.

Origins & Tradition

Bratwurst – The Rustic Classic

The name Bratwurst derives from the Old High German brät, meaning finely chopped meat. Records trace it back more than 700 years, particularly to Franconia and Thuringia in central Germany.
Traditionally made from pork, sometimes with veal, the Bratwurst was created as a farmhouse recipe — a way to use the freshest cuts of meat seasoned with salt, white pepper, marjoram, and nutmeg.

Today, the Sausage Haüs Bratwurst stays true to that heritage: coarsely minced, juicy, and lightly spiced to let the quality of the pork shine through.

Frankfurter – The Elegant Export

The Frankfurter originates from Frankfurt am Main, where butchers developed a finely textured sausage that later travelled the world as the forerunner of the hot dog.
Traditionally made from pork and beef, it’s smoked over beechwood to develop a delicate aroma and characteristic golden skin.

Our Cheese Frankfurter and Bacon Frankfurter build on this tradition, adding modern twists while keeping that same unmistakable German smoothness.

German Bratwurst and Frankfurter sausages grilling on a BBQ for catering and events in the UK.

Ingredients and Texture

The main difference between Bratwurst and Frankfurter lies in the grind and preparation of the meat:

Feature Bratwurst Frankfurter
Texture Coarse and meaty Smooth and finely emulsified
Flavour Seasoned with marjoram, nutmeg, pepper Strong, boldly smoked
Appearance Pale, rustic, thicker Uniform, shiny, golden
Cooking Method Grilled or pan-fried Heated gently or grilled
Serving Temperature Often hot off the grill Can also be enjoyed cold

This contrast makes them ideal complements — the Bratwurst brings hearty bite and spice, while the Frankfurter delivers silky texture and subtle smokiness.

Cooking and Serving Styles

How to Cook Bratwurst

Bratwursts love the grill. Their coarser texture means a little browning enhances both aroma and bite.
They can also be pan-fried or gently heated in hot (not boiling) water for consistent results.

Serving Ideas:

  • Traditional roll with mustard and sauerkraut
  • “Currywurst” style with curry ketchup and fries
  • Pub comfort food with mash and onion gravy

How to Cook Frankfurter

Frankfurters are usually pre-cooked and smoked, requiring only gentle reheating. Avoid boiling — instead, warm them in hot water (about 80 °C) or quickly on a grill to avoid splitting the casing.

Serving Ideas:

  • Classic Hot Dog with ketchup and mustard
  • Cheese Frankfurter topped with crispy onions
  • Bacon Frankfurter wrapped and baked for buffets or events

Traditional German Bratwurst and Frankfurter sausages cooking on a metal grill, showing their colour and texture differences.

For Caterers & Retailers in the UK

Both sausages are supplied pre-cooked, frozen, and vacuum-packed through Baird Foods, ensuring food-safety and consistent quality.
That means no raw handling, minimal waste, and quick preparation — ideal for:

  • Pubs and restaurants needing quick-serve mains
  • Event caterers at festivals or Christmas markets
  • Retailers offering high-quality ready-to-heat German sausages

Whether you prefer the Bratwurst’s rustic bite or the Frankfurter’s smooth smokiness, both deliver authentic flavour with the reliability professionals expect.

Which One Should You Choose?

It depends on your menu:

  • Choose Bratwurst if you want a bold, meaty, traditional sausage that pairs beautifully with mustard, onions, and potatoes.
  • Choose Frankfurter if you want a smoother, milder sausage perfect for buns, buffets, and family appeal.

For most caterers and wholesalers, the ideal solution is to offer both. Together they create variety, cross-sell opportunities, and that unmistakable “taste of Germany” customers love.
If you’re a wholesaler, caterer, or retailer looking to offer these authentic German sausages on your menu, explore our full range and supply options here: German Sausages Wholesale UK.

Did You Know?

The first written record of the Bratwurst dates back to 1269 in Erfurt, while the Frankfurter earned legal protection as early as 1860.
Both now stand as official German regional specialities — proof that quality and tradition never go out of style.

Crafted by Masters – The Hardy Remagen Heritage

Behind both the Bratwurst and Frankfurter stands a name that defines German sausage excellence: Hardy Remagen
.
With over 300 years of butchery tradition, Remagen represents the gold standard in authentic German sausage production. Their recipes are rooted in centuries of craftsmanship, perfected through generations in the heart of the Rhineland.

Every Sausage Haüs Bratwurst and Frankfurter is produced in their state-of-the-art facility, combining traditional spice blends, natural casings, and modern food safety standards.
This partnership ensures we can deliver sausages that not only capture the true flavour of Germany, but also meet the reliability, consistency, and safety required by today’s catering and retail partners across the UK.

When you choose The Sausage Haüs, you’re choosing the very same heritage and care that has defined Hardy Remagen since 1718 — the perfect partner for sausages with genuine history and taste.

Related Reading

Conclusion

The Bratwurst vs Frankfurter debate isn’t about rivalry — it’s about choice.
Both sausages represent the best of German food culture, perfected through generations and now made accessible to UK retailers and caterers through The Sausage Haüs.
Whether you’re grilling for a crowd or refining a pub menu, these two classics prove there’s no such thing as “just a sausage” when it’s made the German way.

You Might Also Enjoy

Discover more from The Sausage Haüs Blog

What Makes a True German Sausage?

What Makes a True German Sausage?

What makes a true German sausage?
From centuries of tradition to modern cold-chain delivery, The Sausage Haüs explains how authentic German craftsmanship creates the taste UK customers love.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. View more
Cookies settings
Accept
Privacy & Cookie policy
Privacy & Cookies policy
Cookie name Active

Privacy Policy for Sausage Haüs

At Sausage Haüs, we are committed to protecting the privacy of our customers, business partners, and website visitors. This privacy policy outlines how we handle, store, and protect any information that you provide to us. Sausage Haüs complies with relevant data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. By visiting our website or providing personal information to us, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy. We may update this policy periodically, so we encourage you to review it regularly to stay informed of any changes.

1. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide our services effectively and improve your experience with us. This may include:
  • Personal Identification Information: When you contact us, we may collect information such as your name, email address, phone number, and any other contact details you provide.
  • Communication Information: Any information you provide in communications with us, such as inquiries or feedback, will be collected and stored as necessary.
  • Technical Information: We may collect technical information about your use of our website, including IP address, browser type, and usage data, for analytics and improvement purposes.

2. How We Use Your Information

Sausage Haüs processes personal information for various legitimate business purposes, including but not limited to:
  • Responding to your inquiries and providing customer support.
  • Improving our website and ensuring secure and effective service delivery.
  • Conducting internal analytics to enhance our services and user experience.
  • Complying with legal obligations and ensuring data security.
We will not use your personal data for any purposes other than those outlined above without your prior consent.

3. Sharing Your Information

We respect your privacy and do not share, sell, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. However, we may share information with:
  • Service Providers: Third-party vendors or service providers who assist us in operating our website or conducting business activities, subject to strict confidentiality and security requirements.
  • Legal Requirements: If required by law, we may disclose personal information to regulatory authorities or other parties.

4. Security of Your Data

Sausage Haüs employs industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Despite our best efforts, no method of electronic storage or internet transmission is entirely secure. However, we follow stringent protocols to safeguard your data.

5. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:
  • Access the personal data we hold about you.
  • Request corrections to any inaccurate information.
  • Request deletion of your personal data under certain conditions.
  • Object to or restrict our processing of your data.
  • Withdraw your consent at any time if processing is based on consent.
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

6. Data Retention

Sausage Haüs retains personal information only as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or comply with legal requirements. We will delete or anonymise data when it is no longer needed.

7. Cookies

Our website may use cookies to improve functionality and gather usage statistics. Cookies are small files stored on your device to help personalise your browsing experience. You can control cookie settings through your browser; however, disabling cookies may affect your experience on our site.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about our privacy practices or wish to exercise any of your data protection rights, please contact us at: Sausage Haüs The Sausage Haus Baird Foods Ltd Unit 10, Barton Marina Barton Under Needwood Burton on Trent DE13 8AS. Telephone: 01675 469 090 sales@bairdfoods.co.uk

9. Policy Updates

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in legal requirements or our data practices. Any updates will be posted on this page, and significant changes will be communicated as appropriate.
Last Updated: 8th November 2024 This privacy policy reflects Sausage Haüs’s commitment to maintaining the privacy and security of your personal data. Thank you for trusting us with your information.
Save settings
Cookies settings