Slow Cooker Brats (With Sauerkraut)
Slow Cooker Brats get infused with flavor after cooking all day. This might be your new favorite way to make fork tender, juicy bratwurst!
AN EASY CROCKPOT DINNER RECIPE
These simple Slow Cooker Brats make an absolutely delicious dinner! The tanginess of the sauerkraut and the slight sweetness from the apple really makes these super flavorful and a bit more unique than your usual brats and sauerkraut recipes. This is definitely a dinner we don’t mind keeping on repeat! The brats get a chance to really get so tender and juicy without being overcooked and they have time to really soak up the flavors they are cooked in.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
These Slow Cooker Brats are great when served on a hot dog bun, like I showed in my images. But, they’re perfectly capable of being served plated as a meal. Toss in a few of your favorite sides if you feel necessary, but these are good just as they are.
As you’ll see in some images, I made these with Mac and Cheese, but any side will work. I have quite a few different mac and cheese recipes for you to try! KFC Mac and Cheese, White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Air Fryer Mac and Cheese, Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese or Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese would all work.
I highly suggest searing them first before dumping everything in the Crockpot. Searing them gets that nice dark brown color on them while locking in the juices so they don’t dry out as they finish cooking in the Slow Cooker. But, if you’re in a rush, you can skip it.
Sure thing! This is a great recipe to make to take to a game day gathering, tail gate, or to feed a large crowd with. I’d recommend doubling all the ingredients and popping it all in an 8-quart Slow Cooker to make sure it all has room to safely cook together.
Well, of course. Use whatever you enjoy. If you need a few Sauerkraut recipes to choose from, these are my favorite Homemade Sauerkraut (this is my recipe that requires a 2 week fermentation time) and this Quick Sauerkraut (which is much faster than the first option- actually, it’s ready in under an hour!).
Firstly, please use the beer you enjoy! Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) works great or if you enjoy a light beer, that will work too. I also love a nano brew beer that is made by my cousin and his wife (forgive the shameless plug here) – it’s called Torzala and the beer is ‘Polish Victory Lap’. I tested out this recipe with it this past week and it came out so good! If you are in Milwaukee, give them a visit!
Also, feel free to swap out the beer for some beef broth instead or even a dark soda like Coca Cola.
Yep! If you don’t like sauerkraut, just leave it out.
Yes. In fact, this is a wonderful meal to make ahead of time. Sear your brats and toss everything in the Crock Pot the evening before you want to serve this meal. Cover and place into the fridge. Then put everything into the slow cooker in the morning , turn on, and have dinner ready to go by dinnertime.
Any leftover bratwurst should be stored appropriately in a container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can store them in a freezer safe bag or container to keep longer, for up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- bratwurst – raw, uncooked bratwurst, not the kind that is already smoked.
- large sweet onion
- cloves garlic – I highly recommend fresh garlic here, not the jarred stuff. However, if you are running short on time and need to get this going quickly, then that will work in a pinch.
- sauerkraut – drained really well and rinsed. If you forget to do this, you’ll end up with a really powerful, possibly overwhelming flavor from the kraut so it is a necessary step unless you enjoy a super strong sauerkraut flavor.
- Honeycrisp apple – I know this seems like an unusual ingredient but I promise you this works SO well in this recipe. It adds an ever so slight sweetness that balances the tanginess of the kraut. If you want to try a different apple variety, I’d go for a sweet option. I’d steer clear of Granny Smith apples since they are super tart, instead try Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples. I love the great depth of flavor that the Honeycrisp apples offer, both sweet yet tart. I think that’s what really sets these brats apart of other beer brats with sauerkraut recipes. But the apples can be an optional ingredient if you really object to it (but I hope you’ll give it a try first!)
- lager beer – beer is a natural partner for bratwurst. It infuses flavor but doesn’t bring a strong beer taste. If you need a substitute, please see my Frequently Asked Questions above.
- light brown sugar – this is optional but keep in mind, we are only using a small amount so it is not going to make it crazy sweet.
- whole-grain mustard – I think whole grain mustard really gives these the traditional German flavor (along with the beer and sauerkraut). This is the traditional German flavor that most people are familiar with. if you don’t have a good grainy mustard, you can try using dijon mustard instead. Regular yellow mustard might be a bit too strong in vinegar flavor but if you don’t mind that, you could use that instead.
- caraway seeds – if you’re using a homemade sauerkraut, or store bought one that already has caraway seeds in it, this can be an optional ingredient. This can also be left out if it’s an ingredient you don’t prefer.
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER BRATS
Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the brats and sear on both sides. This will take about 6 minutes. You just want them to be charred but not fully cooked (the slow cooker will do that.) Remove the brats and set them aside on a plate. Then add the onions to the skillet and cook until translucent and starting to brown (about 8 minutes or so.) Then add in the garlic to the onions and stir until fragrant (only about 30 seconds for this part) then take the skillet off the heat.
To a 6 quart slow cooker add the sauerkraut, apple, beer, brown sugar, mustard, and caraway seeds. Stir to combine. Finally add the seared brats to the slow cooker along with the cooked onions and garlic.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Note: It is recommended to cook on low for best flavor. Serve on buns or just plate it by itself!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Slow Cooker Brats
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 5 bratwurst (most bratwurst is sold in packages of 5)
- 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 ounce can sauerkraut, drained really well and rinsed
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and diced
- 12 ounce bottle lager beer
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1 Tablespoon whole-grain mustard
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds
Instructions
- Add 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 5 bratwurst and sear on both sides. This will take about 6 minutes. You just want them to be charred but not fully cooked (the slow cooker will do that).
- Remove the brats and set them aside on a plate. Then add 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced to the skillet and cook until translucent and starting to brown (about 8 minutes or so).
- Then add in 2 cloves garlic, minced to the onions and stir until fragrant (only about 30 seconds for this part) then take the skillet off the heat.
- To a 6 quart slow cooker add 16 ounce can sauerkraut, drained really well and rinsed, 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and diced, 12 ounce bottle lager beer, 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed, 1 Tablespoon whole-grain mustard and 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds. Stir to combine.
- Finally add the seared brats to the slow cooker along with the cooked onions and garlic.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Note: It is recommended to cook on low for best flavor.
- Serve on buns or just plate it by itself!
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
This was fantastic! My son who doesn’t like beer liked this, didn’t even know there was beer in it. We all liked how soft the brats were but had really good flavor. My husband decided I should keep this recipe.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time and then just reheated
Do you mean storing it in the refrigerator after you’ve made it, then putting it back into the crock pot to reheat? It is possible but I haven’t tried doing that to be honest. Sometimes the textures can change when doing that.
Thanks. Going camping and thought about making it the day before and then putting back in crockpot just to reheat.
I used this recipe several years ago and it was a hit. Fixing again today for my hubby who’s been working out of town. He will be pleasantly surprised He loves sauerkraut, I do not; but can actually enjoy with this recipe.
Do you remove the skin from the bratwurst before browning?
I’ve never removed the skin from bratwurst – do you? I would’ve added that in the instructions if it were necessary. I suppose if that is something you normally do then that’s fine but I’ve never thought to remove the casing. Won’t it just fall apart?
Many years ago, my mom would make Italian sausage sandwiches. She would butterfly the sausages and then fry them open side done. She would poke holes on the sausage and peel the skin off. But, she bought her sausage from an old-fashioned Italian store. Which we don’t have where I live now. Yes, trying to remove the skin is difficult. That’s why I asked the question. Good to know. Thanks!
Ahhh I gotcha – totally understand! Hope you love this if you try it!
Very juicy and delicious.
Just what the Dr. Ordered…
I used 2 Cans A&W Rootbeer and a 2 Table Spoons of Kikkoman Soy Sauce instead of the Beer. The Brats were Extra Rick and Mellow to Taste like a …Fine – Wine…There weren’t any Leftovers from. 2- 5 packs of Johnsonville Brats.