These Crockpot Beer Brats with braised sauerkraut and sweet peppers are perfect for the big game, a family dinner, or fun get together! These brats are moist, flavorful, and oh so delicious!
We love beer brats at our house. (We love anything you can throw beer mustard onto to pretty much.) These Crockpot Beer Brats are incredibly simple to make and a few fun tweaks really give a huge flavor boost to this classic recipe. Let's make them!
What ingredients are necessary for preparing Crockpot Beer Brats?
- Brats - I always go with the "Beer" version for this recipe! More beer flavor, the better!
- Garlic and Onions - Brats need onions! These get cooked down in the slow cooker and are just heavenly! (And you need to put garlic in almost everything you put into your mouth, okay?!)
- Apples - I like Honeycrisp for this recipe!
- Sauerkraut - Don't bother making your own for this recipe. You can just grab a can or these wonderful bags of prepared sauerkraut! You can usually find them in the deli section in your grocery store near the tofu, or other fermented and pickled ingredients.
- Butter, Brown Sugar, and Beer Mustard - You'll be combining these items to make a delicious base for the braising liquid!
- Gotta have beer! - You'll want any sort of lager for this recipe! We used Dos Equis! But any lager style beer will do.
- Sweet Mini Peppers - These add a fun pop of color and the perfect sweet little bite!
- Brat Buns!
Is there any equipment necessary for preparing the Crockpot Beer Brats?
- Crockpot - Of course you'll need a great slow cooker for this recipe.
- Cast Iron Pan - I like to use a cast iron pan to give my brats a great sear ahead of cooking in the crockpot. If you don't have a cast iron pan a non-stick will work just fine.
- A great set of tongs!
Steps to Prepare Crockpot Beer Brats:
Get Your Pan Piping Hot - Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat until very hot.
Start Filling the Pot - Combine the sliced onions, garlic, diced apple, drained and rinsed sauerkraut in the base of the crockpot.
Sear the Brats - Sear the brats in the hot pan for a few seconds on each side, until perfectly golden brown. Careful not to burn them! Now nestle them into the sauerkraut in the crockpot.
Prepare the Braising Liquid - In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and beer mustard. Pour the beer into mixture and pour the entire mixture into the crockpot.
Add the Peppers - Top the brats with the sweet peppers.
Watch the video here!
Cook - Cook on HIGH for 2 - 4 hours or LOW for 4 - 6 hours.
Enjoy - Serve with warmed brat buns and additional beer mustard (of course!).
Storage:
Store the brats and leftover sauerkraut and peppers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 - 3 days.
Reheating:
- Oven - Preheat the oven to 350°, place brats and leftover sauerkraut and peppers in a casserole dish or onto a baking sheet. Heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave - Reheat in individual portions in the microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through.
Other Ways to Prepare Brats:
This recipe is written specifically for a crockpot, but there are lots of ways to prepare brats!
- On the Grill: Grill beer brats on the grill for 4 - 6 minutes on either side until they are golden brown. Enjoy on warmed buns with assorted condiments.
- In a Cast Iron with Caramelized Onions: My other favorite way! Start searing the brast and then caramelize a full sliced onion (It should take a full 20 - 30 minutes for beautiful, caramelized onions. Don't rush it!) Add the brats back in, pour in a lager style beer and braise for 15 - 20 minutes. Enjoy with mustard!
- Baked in the Oven: Toss brats, onions, and sweet peppers with garlic, soy, Worcestershire, and olive oil and then bake in the oven (at 400°) for 10 minutes. Turn the brats, give the onions and peppers a stir and cook for 6 more minutes. Broil for 30 - 45 seconds if desired. Enjoy with buns, rice, or cauliflower rice!
Looking for more recipes like this? Check out these others from the blog!
- Mini Sweet Pepper Steak Sandwiches
- Air Fryer Bacon Cheeseburger Loaded Nachos
- Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Crockpot Beer Brats with Sauerkraut and Sweet Peppers! If you try them, I would love to hear your feedback or see your work! Leave a comment or share it and tag @atoastedcrumb on all socials!
Crockpot Beer Brats (With Sauerkraut and Sweet Peppers)
Ingredients
- 1 package Beer Brats, thawed
- 1 Onion, sliced
- 1 Honeycrisp Apple, diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic, smashed
- 8 oz Sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter, melted
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Beer Mustard
- 1 bottle Beer (lager)
- ¾ cup Mini Sweet Peppers, sliced
- Brat Buns
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat until very hot.
- Combine the onions, garlic, apple, and drained sauerkraut in the base of a crockpot.
- Sear the brats in the hot pan until golden brown on all sides. (No need to cook them all the way through.)
- Nestle the brats into the sauerkraut.
- Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and beer mustard.
- Pour the butter mixture and the full beer into the crockpot and top with the sweet peppers. Cook on HIGH for 2-4 hours or LOW for 4-6.
- Serve with warmed brat buns and additional beef mustard.
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