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!
Slow Cooker Beer Brats and Onions
I was fortunate again to be asked to write an article for City View Magazine in Fayetteville, NC. It is such a beautiful magazine and it is so exciting to have an opportunity to see my recipes and food photography in print! I was asked to create recipes cooking with wine and beer for their Food & Wine Issue. This was such a fun article to write. I included this Slow Cooker Beer Brats and Onions recipe, my Port Wine Cheese Ball, and Easy Cheesy Jalapeño Beer Bread Recipe.
The perfect Brats
Wisconsin natives 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.
I then cook them in my slow cooker long and slow in my beer sauce to let the brats and onions absorb that amazing beer flavor.
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, the atmosphere is fun, and they usually have a food truck serving amazing food to fill you up. (Who does’t love food truck food?)
Take a look at these slow cooker beer brats…. They taste as good as they look. You will love this slow cooker beer brats recipe! And when you make these crockpot brats, you will agree that these are indeed the best beer brats and onions recipe ever! xoxo
The Best Slow Cooker Beer Brats with Onions Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 onions
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 local beers
- 12 brats
- ½ cup sweet barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp hot sauce
Instructions
- Slice onions into thick rings.
- Sauté onions in butter until softened, but not completely cooked. Do not caramelize.
- In a mixing bowl, combine barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce. Mix well.
- Add onions to Crockpot.
- Pour barbecue sauce mixture over onions and mix well.
- Grill Brats about 3 minutes on each side to crisp the outer skin.
- Add Brats to Crockpot.
- Pour beer over onions and brats.
- Cook in Crockpot 6 to 7 hours on low.
Video
Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.
Katie Crenshaw says
I assume the crock pot size will work. I think the average size is 6 quart. As for searing them on the George Foreman Grill, that will be fine. You really are grilling them to crisp the skin and lock in some of the flavors.
Annie says
My grill is on the fritz. Would it work to sear them on the stove top or use a George Foreman grill? I’ve actually never had brats and don’t know a thing about them! Will a five-quart crock pot be big enough?
Katie Crenshaw says
You do not have to grill them, but they taste better if you do.
Diane says
When I saw this recipe I knew I had to make it, all up to the part about grilling. I’m not going to fire up my BBQ just for this
There are enough steps already but it does sound delicious.
Katie Crenshaw says
I use Texas Pete for the Hot Sauce. As far as the brats, I usually get a plain flavor. If you can get local brats, I suggest those. They are always better. Otherwise, Johnsonville Original flavored brats will work.
jayme cabral says
Hi, You say Hot sauce, what kind and Brats, what kind of brats? there are different kinds.please advise
Paula says
Made these!!Delicious!!Best I have ever had.I browned the brats in cast iron skillet instead of grilling.They were great#
Catbirdphx says
I made this for a Memorial Day potluck. It sat along side pulled pork, grilled hot dogs, chili etc. The dozen brats were devoured within 20 minutes while everything else sat there. Absolutely awesome. Raves on the brats and kraut equally. My fellow Phoenecians were blown away. They were like omg what is in this?? Thanks for the great recipe!
Katie says
I am so glad you liked them!! That is great. Thanks for sharing.
Layna says
Made these for an Oktoberfest-themed retirement party, and I ended up handing out the recipe to several people (including the retiree, who said he’s never had brats this good)! I used a Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest the first time around, and now I’m trying a Bohemian Pilsner. What a great recipe!
Katie says
Wow! There is no way 40 will fit in a crockpot. I actually have 2 crockpots, so if you could cook split half and half into 2 crockpots, that would work. Otherwise, I would get the biggest foil disposable pan that will fit in your oven and cook them in the oven at 400. You can follow the same recipe, but as for the amount of onions and sauce, I would use about 9-10 onions, 3/4 cup butter, 3 beers, 1 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 3/4 Dijon mustard, and 1 tbs hot sauce. If you want a strong beer taste, go for 4 beers. If you cook them in the oven, grill them first, then add them to the onion mixture, cover tightly, then cook about 30 minutes. Remove from foil, flip the brats and cook about 30 more minutes. Hope this helps.
Keely says
These look delicious! I’d like to try this recipe since I’m making brats for a large crowd. Could I use this recipe to make 40 brats? Will I have to cover them with beer or will they steam?
Katie says
I am glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for sharing! xoxo
3 NewfsNancy says
Awesome!!! after 6 hours in crockpot threw those puppies bac on grill..shared with friends definitely double next time?
Katie says
I would think so. I haven’t tried to half it personally because I usually make it in a big batch to share with friends. But I can’t imagine it not turning out just as good halved.
Crystal says
Can you half this and it come out as well?
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
If this isn’t comfort food, I don’t know what is! Looks so good, especially when paired with a beer 😉 Pinning! I know hubby would really enjoy this too. Congrats on the publication! That’s so awesome!!!
Milena | Craft Beering says
Sooo delicious! This kind of eating can make my heart sing with joy:) Cannot beat a good beer sauce. Especially when talking brats. Cheers Katie!