Half of my family lives in Wisconsin, and if you know anything about Wisconsin, it's all about the Packers, beer, brats, and cheese. This slow cooker beer brats recipe brings the best flavors of that Midwestern tradition right into your kitchen.

With a few simple tricks, I'll show you exactly how to make the most flavorful crockpot beer brats and onions-tender, juicy, and guaranteed to be the hit of your next cookout or game day spread.

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

"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!"

★★★★★- Layna

In Wisconsin, there's an ongoing debate about the "right" way to make perfect brats. Some swear by simmering them in beer and onions before they ever touch the grill, while others insist on grilling first, then soaking. Me? I'm team grill-first. Nothing beats locking in that crispy skin at the very the start for the ultimate bite.

When I make these beer brats for parties and cookouts, they are always the first to go. And trust me... you don't want to skip beer-onion sauce. Top it over your brat once you add it to your bun-its absolutely incredible and pulls all the flavor together with every bite. Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.

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Watch how to make
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Steps
Beer Tip
Searing Tip
In the press
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Watch how to make

Ingredient notes and substitutions

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 and avoid the vinegar based sauces.
hot sauce- I use Texas Pete, but you can use any kind you like
Dijon Mustard- You can substitute with a coarse mustard or yellow mustard..

*The full recipe with measurements and steps is posted below in the recipe card at the end of the post.

step by step process images on how to make slow cooker beer brats

Steps

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

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 slow cooker. 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 4 to 6 hours on low.

crockpot filled with beer brats and braised onions with grey spoon lifting up a brat

Beer Tip

Cooking the brats long and slow in the beer sauce allows 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 and the atmosphere is fun.

Searing 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.

In the press

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.

Try these sides to go with your brats

These slow cooker beer brats with onions are always a hit in my home, and I hope they'll be a favorite at yours too. If you try them, let me know in the comments how they turned out-I love hearing your feedback, and my readers enjoy seeing your tips and twists on the recipe!

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

📖 Recipe