Crockpot beer brats are so easy to make that they’re sure to be on the menu year round! Prep in minutes, cook, and grill just before serving.
Start by slow cooking the meat in a mixture of beer and spices to create the most flavorful juicy sausages you have ever eaten.
Once they are done, toss your crockpot beer brats on the grill just long enough to infuse a smoky, caramelized flavor and top with a healthy serving of savory onions.
Prefer regular beef sausages? You’ll love my homemade pretzel dogs dipped in beer cheese sauce or this baked chili dog recipe that makes plenty for guests.
And if you can’t get enough of that onion flavor, try this amazing French onion soup topped with cheesy baguette slices.
Slow Cooker Beer Brats - Tips and Tricks
- Use a pale ale. I prefer Blue Moon, but feel free to use your favorite. Just avoid anything with a strong flavor since it will overpower the meat.
- Don’t poke holes! All of the delicious flavor will escape if you do. Since these are cooked in the crockpot, you don’t need to worry about them bursting open.
- Feeding a crowd? Easily double or triple the recipe as long as your crockpot is large enough!
- Cook down the onions. This isn’t necessary, but it can concentrate the flavor and help thicken the liquid. Leave the slow cooker on high with the lid off, or transfer to a saucepan and simmer on the stove.
Serving Suggestions
These are delicious with all of your favorite cookout sides!
These are delicious with all of your favorite cookout sides!
I love to keep things simple with some corn on the cob, and you can make it in the air fryer, instant pot, a separate crock pot, or on the stove.
Or, throw together your choice of Southern style or German potato salad along with a tray of gooey mac and cheese to keep your guests full.
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
- Slow Cooker - Great for soups, roasts, shredded chicken, and more! I love it in the cooler months, but it’s also great in the summer when you don’t want to heat up the whole house with the oven.
- Outdoor or Countertop Grill - These are only on for a minute, so you don’t need anything fancy. A cast iron skillet will also work in a pinch.
- Tongs - I love this set of 3, and I use every pair of them. They are so handy and grip amazingly well.
FAQ - Common Recipe Questions
Is there an alcohol free version of this recipe?There is nothing that can replicate the flavor of the ale, but you could use a low sodium chicken broth instead if you don’t mind them tasting different.
Some readers have also had success with non-alcoholic varieties or a few cans of ginger ale!
How long will slow cooker beer brats last in the refrigerator?
If kept tightly wrapped or in a sealed container, they should keep for up to 4 days.
If kept tightly wrapped or in a sealed container, they should keep for up to 4 days.
What can I do with leftover beer brats?
Aside from just reheating and enjoying them the next day, you can chop them up and include them in plenty of other recipes.
Aside from just reheating and enjoying them the next day, you can chop them up and include them in plenty of other recipes.
Toss some into homemade chili or add a handful to your breakfast eggs. They’re delicious in soups and stews or layered into a grilled cheese sandwich too!
Enjoy!
With love from our simple kitchen to yours.
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MORE CROCKPOT RECIPES
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Crockpot Chuck Roast
Crockpot Pork Chops
Crockpot Potato Soup
Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Video: Crockpot Beer Brats
To see us make this from start to finish, watch the video at the top of this post.Yield: 6
Crockpot Beer Brats
Crockpot beer brats are so easy to make that they’re sure to be on the menu year round! Prep in minutes, cook, and grill just before serving.
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 5 M
Ingredients
- 6 original brats (I used Johnsonville)
- 2 (12 ounce) bottles beer (I used Blue Moon)
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon course black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook for 2 hours on high heat, reduce heat to low. Remove brats from slow cooker. Grill brats (or toss in a skillet) until you have sear marks (which gives you that yummy grilled taste) and place back in slow cooker until ready to serve.
- Serve brats on a bun of your choice. Hoagie roll or big sesame seed buns are my favorite. Top with the crockpot beer onions and your favorite toppings (cheese, ketchup or mustard are our staples).
- Serve and enjoy!
Originally published July 2015, updated and republished August 2021
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I've got some brats that have been lingering in the freezer for awhile.They'll be in my crockpot soon trying this recipe. Pinned.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Lea Ann! Let us know how it goes. Enjoy!
DeleteHave you doubled this? If so, did you double the beers too? I am trying this tomorrow. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi MsAnge,
DeleteI have doubled it. I also doubled the liquid, but if you are looking to save that beer you may be able to get by with just 3. Enjoy and let us know how it goes!
You mention to put on High for 2 hrs. And then turn to low, but how long on low?
ReplyDeleteTurn to low until ready to serve or serve immediately Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
DeleteCan this be made in an instant pot? If so, cooking directions please ! I am a total newbie with IP's and looking for recipes
ReplyDeleteHow do you make crockpot beer onions?
ReplyDelete"Crockpot beer onions" are the onions that are cooked in the beer along with the brats.
DeleteHave made this recipe a few times now. It has become our "go-to" brat recipe. My husband even prefers it over grilled.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we put the crockpot beer onions in a pan and "fry" for a few minutes before topping our brats with them.
Would this recipe work with non alcoholic beer?
ReplyDeleteAlso works with 2 bottles/cans of ginger ale.
ReplyDeleteThanks
ReplyDeleteWant to make this for 50 people...my son's grad party. My crockpot's not big enough, so do you think an electric roaster would work? If so what temperature would I use and what would be the cooking time?
ReplyDeleteWe grill our brats the night before a BIG party and then put them in an electric roaster with French onion soup the next day. Saves alot of time the day of the party. Yummy.
ReplyDeleteMaking this now but used non alcohol beer and hot Italian sausages so I will leave out the salt, pepper and pepper flakes.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and let us know how it goes!
DeleteThis is just AWESOME! We used a different beer since we had it on hand but I'm sure Blue Moon would be amazing. Since it's winter we set the brats under the broiler and rotated a few times and they were perfect. Thanks for the great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Hannah!! We are so happy you enjoyed it!
DeleteWhat other beer can you use, to substitute the blue moon beer
ReplyDeleteWe grill the brats first That gets rid of excess grease. After grilling, we put them in the crockpot with lots of sliced onions, beer and mustard and let them cook on low till we are ready to eat them. Absorbs more of the flavor of the beer, onion and mustard and aren't greasy tasting.
ReplyDelete