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    Home » Recipes » Crock Pot & Slow Cooker Recipes

    The Best Slow Cooker Beer, Brats, & Onions Recipe

    October 8, 2017 Updated: December 7, 2020 By Katie Crenshaw 10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Most of my family lives in Wisconsin. Besides the Packers, Wisconsin is known for their beer, brats, and cheese. In this recipe, I am going to teach you the tricks I have learned on how to cook the most delicious crockpot beer brats and onions you will ever make!
    Most of my family lives in Wisconsin. Besides the Packers, Wisconsin is known for their beer, brats, and cheese. In this recipe, I am going to teach you the tricks I have learned on how to cook the most delicious crockpot beer brats and onions you will ever make!
    Most of my family lives in Wisconsin. Besides the Packers, Wisconsin is known for their beer, brats, and cheese. In this recipe, I am going to teach you the tricks I have learned on how to cook the most delicious crockpot beer brats and onions you will ever make!

    Most of my family lives in Wisconsin. Besides the Packers, Wisconsin is known for their beer, brats, and cheese.

    In this slow cooker beer brats recipe, I am going to teach you the tricks I have learned on how to cook the most delicious crockpot beer brats and onions you will ever make!

    brats covered in onions and beer on a yellow platter with a bottle of beer in the background.

    The people who live in Wisconsin have their own tricks to making the perfect brats.

    Some people cook them in beer and onions before grilling them and others grill the brats first.

    I prefer grilling my brats first to lock in the crispy skin.

    ingredient for beer brat onions

    Ingredients

    To make the BEST slow cooker beer, brats, and onions, you will need the following ingredients:

    • onions-I prefer the yellow or white onion
    • butter
    • beer-choose a good bold flavor
    • brats- plain brat are optimal because you are flavoring with beer and onions
    • sweet barbecue sauce-choose a thick sauce
    • hot sauce-I use Texas Pete, but you can use any kind you like
    • Dijon Mustard
    step by step process images on  how to make slow cooker beer brats

    How to make slow cooker beer, brats, and onions

    Making these beer brats and onions is SUPER EASY! Follow these simple steps to make.

    1. Slice onions into thick rings. (photo 1)
    2. Sauté onions in butter until softened, but not completely cooked. Do not caramelize. (photo 2)
    3. In a mixing bowl, combine barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce. Mix well. (photo 3)
    4. Add onions to slow cooker. Pour barbecue sauce mixture over onions and mix well. (photo 4)
    5. Grill Brats about 3 minutes on each side to crisp the outer skin.(photo 5)
    6. Add Brats to Crockpot. Pour beer over onions and brats. Cook in Crockpot 6 to 7 hours on low. (photo 6)
    crockpot beer brats and onions

    Tips for the perfect Brats

    Cooking your brats long and slow in the beer sauce allows the brats and onions absorb that amazing beer flavor.

    Tip: This is an opportunity to cook with a really good flavored beer. Some people use a cheap light beer, but the brats can handle a flavorful beer.

    I like to use a locally brewed hoppy craft beer from Dirtbag Ales. Dirtbag Ales is a great little brewery located in Hope Mills, NC.

    If you have the opportunity to visit the place; the beer is good and the atmosphere is fun.

    Tip: If you do not want to use a grill, you can crisp the outer skin of the brats on a cast iron pan or skillet. Cook 3 minutes on each side.

    Beer Brats

    Take a look at these slow cooker beer brats.... They taste as good as they look. I hope you enjoy!

    Note: This recipe was written for an article I wrote for City View Magazine in Fayetteville, NC. I was asked to create recipes cooking with wine and beer for their Food & Wine Issue. I also included my Port Wine Cheese Ball and  Easy Cheesy Jalapeño Beer Bread recipes.

    Looking for some delicious sides to go with these brats? Try?

    • Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
    • Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans and Potatoes
    • Broccoli Bacon Salad
    • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
    • Baked Calico Beans
    • Seven Layer Salad
    • Baked Beans Quintet

    Please leave me a comment below if you make these beer, brats, and onions, and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.

    Also post your picture of your brats on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!

    brats cooked in beer and onions on a yellow platter

    Best Slow Cooker Beer Brats with Onions Recipe

    My family is from Wisconsin. Wisconsin is known for their love of cheese, beer, and brats. In this recipe, I am sharing with you tips on how to make the best slow cooker beer brats with onions recipe you'll ever have.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Save Recipe Saved! Rate
    Course: Entree, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours
    Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 292kcal
    Author: Katie Crenshaw

    Ingredients

    • 4 onions
    • ¼ cup butter
    • 2 local beers
    • 12 brats
    • ½ cup sweet barbecue sauce
    • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon hot sauce

    Instructions

    • Slice 4 onions into thick rings.
    • Sauté onions in ¼ cup butter until softened, but not completely cooked. Do not caramelize.
    • In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup barbecue sauce, ¼ cup Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon hot sauce. Mix well.
    • Add onions to slow cooker. Pour barbecue sauce mixture over onions and mix well.
    • Grill 12 Brats about 3 minutes on each side to crisp the outer skin.
    • Add Brats to Crockpot. Pour 2 beer over onions and brats. Cook in Crockpot 6 to 7 hours on low.
      step by step process images on how to make slow cooker beer brats

    Video

    Notes

    Tip: If you do not want to use a grill, you can crisp the outer skin of the brats on a cast iron pan or skillet. Cook 3 minutes on each side.

    Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.

    Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 785mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.6mg
    Tried this recipe? I want to see it!Mention @aForksTale or tag #aForksTale!
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    Katie Crenshaw-A Fork's Tale

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