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Slow Cooker Brats is an easy way to cook your favorite game day recipe. Serve them in buns topped with cooked onions for a delicious meal idea.

Brats in buns on a platter with a side of chips
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If you love brats as much as my family, then you will want to make this recipe. We usually grill our brats in the summer but now I can cook my families favorite game day food all year long. This slow cooker recipe only requires a few simple ingredients for a meal everyone loves.

You will love this brats recipe for an easy meal idea. For another brats recipe idea, try making brats in the oven.

Why This Recipe Works:

This recipe is easy to prep and the slow cooker does all the work. This is perfect to feed a crowd and is loaded with flavor. Add your favorite toppings and serve with your favorite side dish for a complete meal idea.

Ingredients

Slow Cooker Brats ingredients - onion, minced garlic, oil, brats, beer, mustard, pepper
  • Onion, sliced into half moons
  • Minced Garlic
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Brats
  • Beer of choice
  • Grainy Mustard
  • Pepper

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Variations Ideas:

  • Onion – You can use yellow onion slices or white onion slices.
  • Garlic – Minced garlic works great but you can also use cloves garlic.
  • Brats – This recipe works best with raw bratwurst and they can be purchased at your local grocery store.
  • Beer – Feel free to use beer of your choice. It gives the brats so much flavor.
  • Mustard – You can also substitute grainy mustard with Dijon Mustard.

Step by Step Instructions:

Placing the onions and garlic in the slow cooker

Step 1 – Slice the onions and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add garlic on top.

Searing the brats in a skillet

Step 2 – Heat oil in large skillet. Brown uncooked brats for about 1-2 minutes per side, just until browned or char.

Placing the seared brats in the slow cooker

Step 3 – Place the brats on top of the onions and garlic in crockpot.

Mixing the sauce ingredients in a bowl

Step 4 – Combine beer, mustard, minced garlic and pepper in a small bowl.

Cooking the brats in the slow cooker

Step 5 – Season with salt and pepper and pour over brats and veggies.

Cooked brats in the slow cooker

Step 6 – Cook on high for 2 hours, or low for about 4 hours, or until brats are cooked through. Serve as is or on a bun and enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

  • Sear Brats – We recommend searing brats before adding to the crock pot. They don’t need to be cooked through. Just browned on both sides for about 2 minutes.
  • Onions – Slice onions the onions in large pieces for best results.
  • Slow Cooking Time – We like to cook the brats on low for about 4 hours but you can also cook on high.
Cooked brats in buns topped with onions on a platter

Serving Suggestions:

These slow cooker beer brats recipe can be served with your favorite side dish recipes. Serve with the bun of your choice with a side of mashed potatoes, microwaved corn on the cob or potato salad.

Make sure to top with your favorite condiments such as cheese, mustards, ketchup, relish and minced onions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Store Leftovers:

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

How Long to Cook Brats in Slow Cooker:

Brats cook on low for about 4 hours or high for about 2 hours. This is a great recipe to make ahead and once the brats are cook, then you can keep the slow cooker on warm.

How to Reheat:

Reheat the brats pan over medium high heat or in the microwave until heated through.

Can I Freeze Brats?

Yes, you can freeze cooked brats by placing in a freezer safe container. If stored properly, these brats will stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Cooked Brats in the slow cooker in buttery sauce

More Easy Brats Recipe:

We love hearing from you. If you make Brats in a Slow Cooker Recipe, please leave us a comment or star review.

Slow Cooker Brats

5 from 4 votes
Slow Cooker Brats is an easy way to cook your favorite game day recipe. Serve them in buns topped with cooked onions for a delicious meal idea.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 255

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Slice the onions and place in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Add garlic on top.
  • Heat oil in large skillet. Brown brats for about 1-2 minutes per side, just until browned. (They don’t need to be cooked through!)
  • Place the brats on top of the onions and garlic.
  • Combine beer, mustard, minced garlic and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Season with salt and pepper and pour over brats and veggies.
  • Cook on high for 2 hours, or low for about 4 hours, or until brats are cooked through.
  • Serve as is or on a bun and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 255kcal, Carbohydrates 5g, Protein 10g, Fat 21g, Saturated Fat 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 0.01g, Cholesterol 49mg, Sodium 593mg, Potassium 267mg, Fiber 0.4g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 7IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 28mg, Iron 0.5mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Erik Somerville says:

    5 stars
    The beer brats look so good and smell so good. I love it and I will cook more like this next time.