Name: Easy Crockpot Brats and Sauerkraut
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 250 min
Ingredients: 1 package brats (usually comes 5 to a pack); 2 Tbsp butter; 2 cups sauerkraut (do not drain); 1/2 large onion (sliced); 1 bottle of beer

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Juicy Crockpot brats with sauerkraut and beer combine all of the German flavors you love in a simple dinner that has only 10-minutes of prep time!

laying the crockpot brats on top of the sauerkraut and dotting with butter

We are huge bratwurst fans since my husband's family is from Germany and multiple relatives still live there. We eat brats more than any other type of sausage, and although many prefer them in the summer or through Oktoberfest, they're an easy hearty meal year-round as well.

Why these are the best brats in the slow cooker!

Pan-seared brats lock in the flavor of the sausage before slow cooking.
Our recipe is simple and hearty, yet comes together in just 10 minutes.
The addition of a little butter infuses the dish with warm buttery flavor (you can skip this of course)
Using beer for the liquid allows the whole dish to stay moist and infuses a unique flavor.
Perfect for low-carb and keto if you use a low carb beer, plus it's naturally dairy-free. The recipe is easy to make gluten-free by substituting a liquid other than beer.

Ingredient list

Brats - we use a package of 5. Fresh pork bratwurst are often sold in packages of 4 but either will work. Feel free to add in flavored uncooked brats in the crock-pot instead of traditional.
Butter- regular salted butter, I'm sure ghee or margarine would work too (optional to lighten the recipe)
Sauerkraut - do not drain, we used a brand that didn't add extra sugar. Any favorite brand of yours will work.
Onion - sliced
Beer - use your favorite, but a mild-flavored beer works best. For a non-alcoholic version, use apple juice, broth, or water. You can use a light beer to make this a low carb recipe.

How to cook slow cooker brats

searing the brats in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker

To begin, get a large skillet and warm it over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the pan. Once it's heated, sear the brats for 3-minutes per side, until they are nice and brown.
In your slow cooker, add the sauerkraut (with liquid), the onions, and the beer. Place the browned brats on top of the sauerkraut and dot with the remaining butter. Press the sausages down into the sauerkraut and liquid. They should be nestled down in, not fully submerged. This helps the brats to stay moist during cooking.
Add the lid to the crock-pot and cook on high for 4 hours, or until the internal temperature is at least 160F. Brats do well up to 190F.

Jenni's tips

This recipe will work with frozen brats. Skip the sear and add up to 1-hour to the cooking time.
Instead of sauerkraut, you can substitute sliced cabbage, bell peppers, potatoes, or apples.
If you are in a hurry, you can skip the sear step - however, your brats will not be browned when they finish cooking.
You can easily double this recipe to freeze some for later! Simply add 1-hour to the cooking time, for a total of 5-hours in the crock-pot.
If you have precooked brats, the recipe will take less time to cook.

slow cooker brats after cooking on a white background next to buns and mustard

Cooking brats in the crockpot without beer?

While bratwurst and beer together are like peanut butter and jelly, not everyone wants to slow cook their brats in alcohol. Great substitutes include non-alcoholic beer, apple juice, or chicken broth.

We ❤️ bratwurst!

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Recipe

Easy Crockpot Brats and Sauerkraut

Jenni Cole

Prep an easy comfort food dinner in just 10 minutes by combining bratwurst, sauerkraut, and beer in a crock pot. Dot with butter for a rich and delicious flavor.

4.52 from 107 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Course Slow Cooker

Cuisine German

Servings

Calories 148 kcal

Ingredients

1 package brats usually comes 5 to a pack
2 tablespoon butter
2 cups sauerkraut do not drain
½ large onion sliced
1 bottle of beer

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the pan. Sear the brats until brown for 3 minutes on each side.
Add the sauerkraut and it's liquid to the slow cooker. Pour in the beer, and add the sliced onions. Place the brats on top and dot with the remaining butter.
Press the sausages down into the sauerkraut and liquid to help keep them moiset
Add the lid and cook on high for 4 hours, or until the internal temperature is 160F+.

Notes

Swap the beer with apple juice, water, or broth if you want to make a no beer recipe.
Instead of sauerkraut, you can substitute or add sliced cabbage, sliced bell peppers, or other vegetables.
This same recipe will work for frozen brats, just skip searing them and push them down into the liquid. They could take up to an hour longer to cook on low.
You can double the recipe but add more liquid, it could take an extra hour to cook.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 683mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g

Keyword beer, sauerkraut, slow cook, without beer

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Comments

4.52 from 107 votes (107 ratings without comment)