Effortless Slow Cooker Beer Brats: The Ultimate Game Day & Fall Party Recipe
Get ready to discover your new favorite recipe for stress-free entertaining and delicious weeknight meals! This Slow Cooker Beer Brats recipe is unbelievably simple, requiring just a few key ingredients and the magic of your crockpot. Imagine succulent bratwurst, simmered to perfection in a flavorful beer broth, ready to be served without you breaking a sweat. It’s the ultimate hands-off meal, ensuring you can truly enjoy your gatherings, whether it’s a bustling football party, a cozy fall get-together, or a casual family dinner.
Why These Crockpot Beer Brats Will Be Your Go-To Recipe
While summer might still be in full swing, it’s never too early to start planning for the cozy flavors of fall. And what says “fall comfort food” more than savory bratwurst infused with a rich beer flavor? This recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful meals with minimal effort. The slow cooker transforms the brats into incredibly tender, juicy sausages, while the onions and cabbage soften and caramelize, adding depth and sweetness to the dish. Plus, the aroma filling your kitchen as it cooks is simply irresistible!
One of the biggest advantages of this Crockpot Beer Brats recipe is its set-it-and-forget-it nature. Once all the ingredients are in the slow cooker, you’re free to focus on other tasks, prepare side dishes, or simply relax. This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without the fuss, or for hosting parties where you’d rather mingle with guests than be stuck in the kitchen. Guests can easily serve themselves directly from the crockpot, keeping the brats warm and fresh throughout your event. It’s a total win-win for both you and your guests!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Slow Cooker Beer Brats
Simplicity is key with this recipe, but the quality of your ingredients will truly elevate the final taste. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and some tips for choosing the best:
- Bratwurst: The star of the show! Opt for good quality, fresh bratwurst. Pork brats are traditional, but you can also find beef, chicken, or even turkey varieties. Uncooked brats work best as they absorb the beer flavor during the slow cooking process.
- Beer: This is where much of the flavor comes from. A pilsner, lager, or light ale is usually a safe bet, providing a balanced, malty flavor without being too bitter. If you prefer a richer taste, a darker ale or even a stout can be used, but be mindful of the stronger flavor profile it will impart. For a non-alcoholic version, apple cider or chicken broth can be excellent substitutes, though the flavor will obviously differ.
- Water: Used to supplement the beer and ensure enough liquid for simmering.
- Whole Grain Mustard: A critical flavor component! Whole grain mustard adds a wonderful tangy, slightly spicy, and textural element that complements the brats beautifully. Its robust flavor stands up well to the slow cooking process. If you don’t have whole grain, Dijon mustard can be a substitute, but you’ll miss the characteristic texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar balances the bitterness of the beer and the tang of the mustard, adding a subtle sweetness that helps caramelize the onions and cabbage. It creates a more complex and well-rounded flavor profile.
- White Onions: Sliced thin, white onions become incredibly tender and sweet as they cook down in the beer broth. They are essential for both flavor and texture. Yellow onions can also be used.
- Red Cabbage: Thinly sliced red cabbage adds a beautiful color contrast and a slightly tangy crunch to the finished dish. It softens during cooking but still retains a pleasant texture and a mild, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the brats. Green cabbage can be used as an alternative.
Recommended Kitchen Tool: The Slow Cooker
A reliable slow cooker is indispensable for this recipe. We highly recommend using a crockpot with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting once the cooking cycle is complete. This feature is incredibly convenient, preventing your food from overcooking and allowing you to set it in the morning and come home to a perfectly cooked meal, or keep it warm for hours during a party. It takes all the guesswork and stress out of meal prep!
How to Make Crockpot Beer Brats: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these flavorful beer brats is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps:
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by thinly slicing your white onions and red cabbage. This ensures they cook evenly and integrate well with the brats and sauce.
- Combine in the Crockpot: Place the bratwurst directly into your slow cooker. Add the sliced onions and red cabbage around and on top of the brats.
- Whisk the Liquid Base: In a separate bowl, whisk together the beer, water, whole grain mustard, and light brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined. This ensures an even distribution of flavors.
- Pour and Stir: Pour the liquid mixture over the brats and vegetables in the slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir to make sure the brats are partially submerged and the onions and cabbage are coated.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6 hours. This slow, steady cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the brats to become incredibly tender.
- Serve Warm: Once cooked, your beer brats are ready to enjoy! Serve them hot on your favorite buns, generously topped with the slow-cooked onions and cabbage.
Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings
While traditionally served on buns with the braised onions and cabbage, there are many ways to enjoy your Crockpot Beer Brats:
- Classic Brat Buns: A sturdy, slightly crusty bun is ideal to hold the juicy brat and toppings. Toasting the buns lightly adds another layer of texture.
- Beyond the Bun: For a low-carb option, serve the brats with a side of the cooked onions and cabbage, perhaps alongside a green salad.
- Topping Bar: Create a fun topping bar for parties! Offer additional whole grain mustard, spicy brown mustard, sauerkraut, relish, dill pickle slices, sliced jalapeños, or even a cheese sauce.
- Side Dishes: These beer brats pair wonderfully with classic comfort food sides. Consider potato salad, creamy coleslaw, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, crispy French fries, or a simple green salad.
Tips for Success & Variations
- Don’t Prick the Brats: Unlike grilling, you generally don’t need to prick the brats for slow cooking. Pricking them can release valuable juices and flavor into the cooking liquid instead of keeping them inside the sausage.
- Browning (Optional): If you like a slightly browned exterior, you can quickly brown the brats in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This step is purely for aesthetics and isn’t necessary for flavor or tenderness.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sliced jalapeño along with the other ingredients for a spicier kick.
- Herb Infusion: A sprig of fresh thyme or a bay leaf can add an aromatic depth to the cooking liquid.
- Leftovers: Leftover beer brats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They reheat well in the microwave or gently in a pot on the stovetop with some of the cooking liquid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Beer Brats
Can I use pre-cooked brats for this recipe?
While you can use pre-cooked brats, the flavor will not be as rich or as deeply infused as with uncooked brats. Uncooked brats truly benefit from simmering in the beer broth for hours, absorbing all the delicious flavors. If using pre-cooked, you might reduce the cooking time slightly, just enough to heat them through and tenderize the vegetables.
What kind of beer is best for beer brats?
Generally, a lighter lager or pilsner is a popular choice, as it provides a classic beer flavor without overpowering the brats. Amber ales or even some light IPAs can also work. Avoid very bitter or heavily flavored beers (like some stouts or very hoppy IPAs) unless you specifically want that flavor profile to dominate. For a non-alcoholic option, chicken broth or even a non-alcoholic beer can be substituted.
Can I double or halve this recipe?
Yes, this recipe is very forgiving! You can easily double the ingredients to feed a larger crowd, as long as your slow cooker is big enough to accommodate the extra volume. Just ensure the brats are mostly submerged in the liquid. If halving, simply cut all ingredient amounts in half.
Do I need to brown the brats first?
Browning the brats before adding them to the slow cooker is entirely optional. Some people prefer to do it to achieve a slightly crispier exterior and add an extra layer of flavor from the caramelization. However, for a truly hands-off recipe, you can skip this step, and the brats will still be wonderfully tender and flavorful.
How long can I keep the brats warm in the slow cooker?
After cooking, most slow cookers automatically switch to a “warm” setting. You can safely keep the brats on the warm setting for 2-4 hours, or even longer on a very low warm setting, especially if your slow cooker maintains a safe temperature. This is perfect for parties where guests might be eating over an extended period.
Crockpot Beer Brats Recipe
An incredibly easy and flavorful recipe for making tender beer brats in your slow cooker, perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Bratwurst
- 12 oz Beer (e.g., pilsner or lager)
- 2 cups Water
- 3 Tablespoons Whole grain mustard
- 3 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
- 2 white onions, thinly sliced
- ½ red cabbage, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Place bratwurst, sliced white onions, and red cabbage into the slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together beer, water, whole grain mustard, and light brown sugar.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the ingredients in the crockpot and stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 6 hours, or until brats are cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Serve hot on buns, topped with the cooked onions and cabbage.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker (preferably with a digital timer)
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 405
More Delicious Recipes to Explore
If you’re a fan of brats and hearty sausage dishes, you’ll love these other recipes:
- Jalapeno Beer Brats
- Apple Cider Beer Brats
- German Style Brats
And for those who enjoy kielbasa, don’t miss these:
- Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
- Smoked Sausage Gnocchi with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Be sure to check out our extensive collection of copycat recipes, delightful dessert recipes, and our wide array of Crock Pot Recipes for more meal inspiration!
Connect With Us!
Don’t miss out on more fantastic recipes and cooking tips! Follow Tammilee Tips on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our latest updates.
Love this recipe? Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest!
Tried this recipe? Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo on Instagram!
Recipe originally shared on June 22, 2015. Updated December 2020.