Crowd-Pleasing Crock Pot Beer Brats
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When you live in Wisconsin, you eat brats! And if there is one recipe that I get the most compliments on, it is THIS Crowd-Pleasing Crock Pot Beer Brat Recipe! Hands down! Not only are these brats delicious, but they are SO EASY. All you have to do is throw everything in the crockpot and go. If you are looking for an easy recipe to try that can feed a crowd, this is the one.
Whether you are hosting a get-together, having a party for the big game, or tailgating at Lambeau, this recipe is awesome. If you are looking to be outside, playing games, and socializing with your friends and family instead of hiding in the kitchen, then this is a must-try dish. This recipe is also great because you can feed a crowd with it. It is easy to double or even triple this recipe to feed more people.
This is not a traditional German bratwurst recipe, but it is a family favorite and a definite crowd-pleaser. If you love brats, this is a must-try!
(Note: These brats almost melt in your mouth. If you prefer a firm casing on your brat then you will want to grill them beforehand, just a few minutes to crisp the sides. You could also fry them in a cast-iron pan for a few minutes too. )
Crowd-Pleasing Crock Pot Beer Brats
Beer Brat Ingredients
1-2 (45.6 oz.) packages of Bratwurst (not the pre-cooked kind)
1/2 Cup Butter
3-4 cans of Dark Beer (I use a darker homemade beer, but you can use whatever you have on hand, You will want the beer to cover the brats)
3-4 Large Onions
1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder
3 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
1 package of Sauerkraut, drained (we used our homemade sauerkraut)- You will add this 1 hour before serving
Bratwurst Buns
Toss it all in!
Add brats to your crockpot.
Cut onions. I like to slice mine diagonally and then slice them in half vertically. Add as many onions as you would like.
Top the brats with the onions, chopped fresh garlic, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1 Tbsp. garlic powder, and 2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar.
Add the beer to your brat mixture. This is always my favorite part. Watch it get all bubbly! You will want the beer to cover the brats and most of the toppings.
We made some beer a few years back and it was not our favorite. I have saved that beer to make these brats and it is great. The beer we attempted to make was a Sam Adams recreation. It did not taste the same. Use any type of beer of your choice. I feel like this is a stronger, darker tasting beer, and it has always cooked down great. Even people who do not drink beer like this recipe.
Cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 4 hours. (You will add the sauerkraut in the next step.)
Add That Sauerkraut!
After the brats have cooked, you can choose to add sauerkraut to the top. This ingredient is optional, but it adds such great flavor to the brats. You will want to cook the sauerkraut for approximately 1 hour. The sauerkraut and onions can, ahem I mean should, be used as an additional topping on your brats. They are oh so good!
In case you are unsure about the sauerkraut, I want you to know that there are MANY benefits to this fermented superfood. Did you know that sauerkraut is great for digestion, contains a bunch of vitamins, and helps boost your immune system? Check out this article for 8 Surprising Benefits of Sauerkraut.
Dig In!
Get your ketchup, mustard, and pickles all ready! And tell your guests it is time to dig in. Keep a slotted spoon by the crockpot so that you can scoop out the extra toppings.
I am sure that this EASY RECIPE will please your crowd and get you some compliments too! Thank you to the creator of this original recipe, On Wisconsin Beer Brats. We typically add more onions, more sauerkraut, and depending on how many brats we are cooking up more beer. But, I am serious! These are delicious and always a crowd pleaser! I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!
Crowd-Pleasing Crock Pot Beer Brats
Equipment
- Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 45.6 oz. 1 (45.6 oz.) package uncooked Bratwurst
- 1/2 Cup Butter
- 3-4 Cans/Bottles Dark Beer
- 3 Large Onions
- 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
- 1 package of Sauerkraut, drained Add an hour before serving
- Good Bratwurst Buns
Instructions
- Add brats, sliced onions, garlic, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1 Tbsp. garlic powder, and 2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar.
- Pour the beer over the brat mixture.
- Cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 4 hours.
- Add the sauerkraut an hour before serving.
- Get your ketchup, mustard, and pickles all ready! Keep a slotted spoon by the crock pot so that you can scoop out the extra toppings and put them on the bratwurst.
- Enjoy!
If you liked this recipe, please leave a comment below. I would LOVE to hear what you think.
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You may also like another one of my favorites Rhubarb Custard Pie. Yum! And if you would like to learn a little bit more about our family check out “These Are Going To Be The Best Memories Your Kids Will Ever Have.”
-Lindsay
2 thoughts on “Crowd-Pleasing Crock Pot Beer Brats”
You go with this awesome recipe. I used a lite beer and hot strong onions we grow every year good for cooking only dont know the name of them old fashioned onion so good in this recipe. Thank you.
I am so happy that you liked this recipe Nick! Those onions sound like a treasure and my husband with be jealous. He loves onions, especially hot strong onions!