Cody Casey
Cooking raw bratwurst in a crock pot is a simple, no-fuss way to make juicy, flavorful brats. This method is perfect for those who don't want to grill outdoors or spend too much time cooking. By searing the brats first, you lock in their juices, enhancing their flavor and texture. Then, by slow cooking them in a crock pot with ingredients like beer, onions, garlic, and butter, you infuse them with even more flavor. You can serve these crock pot brats in buns with mustard and sauerkraut or get creative with various sides, making them a versatile and tasty dish for any occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sear the brats | Yes, to lock in flavor and moisture |
| Sear duration | 1-2 minutes per side until browned |
| Searing equipment | Skillet, air fryer |
| Crockpot contents | Beer, broth, onions, garlic, butter, apple, sugar, mustard, caraway seeds, sauerkraut |
| Brat placement | On top of onions, nested in sauerkraut |
| Cook time | 4 hours on high, 7-8 hours on low, 2 hours on high if in a hurry |
| Temperature | 160°F, up to 190°F |
| Sides | Buns, pretzel bites, chips, raw veggies, salads, mac and cheese |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 3-4 days, freeze for 2-3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Sear the bratwurst first
Searing your bratwurst before placing it in the crock pot is an important step in the cooking process. Not only does it give the meat a nice, dark brown colour, but it also locks in the juices, ensuring that your bratwurst stays moist and doesn't dry out during the slow cooking process.
To sear your bratwurst, start by heating a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add your bratwurst and sear for about 3-6 minutes on each side, until they are nicely charred but not fully cooked. You want to aim for an internal temperature of at least 160°F, but they can go up to 190°F. If you're short on time, you can skip this step, but your bratwurst won't have the same deep brown colour.
After searing, remove the bratwurst from the pan and set them aside on a plate. You can then add other ingredients to your skillet, such as sliced onions and garlic, to cook until translucent and fragrant. This will add even more flavour to your dish.
Once you've seared your bratwurst and any other ingredients, it's time to assemble your crock pot. Place the bratwurst in the crock pot along with the rest of your ingredients, such as sauerkraut, beer, apples, or any other desired flavours. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours, depending on your desired level of doneness.
By searing your bratwurst first, you not only enhance the appearance and texture of your dish but also ensure that your meat stays juicy and flavourful throughout the slow cooking process.
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Add onions, garlic, and butter
When preparing raw brats in a crock pot, adding onions, garlic, and butter is a great way to enhance the flavor and keep the meat moist. Start by slicing or chopping one or more onions—the more onion you add, the more flavor it will impart to the dish. You can also thinly slice the onion to help it cook faster. Next, smash or mince two or more cloves of garlic. Feel free to add more or less garlic to suit your taste preferences.
Heat a layer of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and cook until they become translucent and start to brown, which should take about 8 minutes. Then, add the garlic to the skillet and stir until it becomes fragrant, which should only take about 30 seconds. You can also add the garlic to the crock pot without cooking it first, but cooking it in oil first will bring out its flavor.
After removing the skillet from the heat, it's time to assemble the crock pot. Layer half of the onions over the bottom of the crock pot, then add a layer of raw brats. Cover the brats with the remaining onions and garlic. Dot the brats with butter—regular salted butter is a good option, but ghee or margarine will also work. You can also melt the butter in the skillet used for the onions and garlic before adding it to the crock pot.
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Use beer for liquid
Using beer as the liquid in your crock pot is a great way to add flavour to your brats. Beer brats are a staple in the Midwest, and for good reason—they're delicious! The beer infuses the meat with flavour without giving it a strong beer taste.
You can use a variety of beers for your brats, but it's best to opt for a mild and light beer like a lager, pilsner, or another variety with understated flavour notes. This will ensure that the beer doesn't compete with the flavour of the meat. Some specific recommendations include Bud Light, Coors Lite, Miller Lite, or PBR. If you want to experiment with darker beers, try an amber ale or stout for a deeper flavour. You can also try a seasonal beer, like a citrus IPA in the summer or an Oktoberfest beer in the fall.
To prepare your brats, start by searing them in a pan. This step is optional but recommended, as it adds flavour and improves the texture of the brats by sealing in the juices. Heat a lightly oiled cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the bratwurst, and sear until browned on each side. You can also add some sliced onions to the pan to cook before placing them in the crock pot.
Once your brats are seared, it's time to assemble your crock pot. Place the seared brats in the slow cooker, nestling them into a bed of sliced onions and garlic. You can also add other ingredients like potatoes, sauerkraut, mustard, and caraway seeds. Then, pour your chosen beer into the crock pot, making sure to fully submerge the brats so they cook evenly and absorb the liquid. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 5-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
Your crock pot brats are now ready to serve! You can enjoy them on a bun with mustard and onions, or with a variety of sides like napa cabbage slaw, tortellini pasta salad, baked beans, or potato chips.
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Add sides like sauerkraut
When cooking raw brats in a crock pot, you can add sides like sauerkraut, which is a delicious addition. You can add it to the onions in the slow cooker or serve it as a topping, or both!
If you are adding sauerkraut to the crock pot, make sure to drain it well and rinse it first. You can also add sliced cabbage, sliced bell peppers, or other vegetables. If you want to add a little sweetness to balance the tanginess of the sauerkraut, try adding a Honeycrisp apple or another sweet apple variety.
You can serve the brats on hoagie buns, brat buns, or hot dog buns, covered with sauerkraut, peppers, and onions. You can also serve them plated as a meal with a side of mac and cheese or other sides like napa cabbage slaw, tortellini pasta salad, baked beans, potato chips, raw veggies and dip, and/or fruit.
If you don't like sauerkraut, you can leave it out or substitute it with other sides.
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Keep warm for a party
Slow cooker brats are a great option for parties as they can be made ahead of time and kept warm for guests to serve themselves. To keep bratwurst warm for a party, set your slow cooker to the "keep warm" setting and leave the lid on. This will keep the brats at the right temperature for a few hours. If your slow cooker doesn't have a "keep warm" setting, you can use a low setting to achieve the same result.
To make sure your brats are cooked before your guests arrive, you can sear them in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, browning all sides, before placing them in the slow cooker with the other ingredients. This step is optional but recommended as it enhances the texture and locks in the juices, making the brats tender and flavorful.
Once the brats are cooked, you can place them back in the slow cooker on the "keep warm" setting and your guests can serve themselves throughout the party. This is a great option for potlucks, game days, and other gatherings, especially during colder months when grilling isn't possible.
You can serve the brats with a variety of sides and toppings, such as buns, condiments, slaw, potato salad, chips, pretzel bites, and beer cheese. Let your guests build their own brat plates and enjoy the delicious, tender, and flavorful crockpot brats!
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking raw brats in a crock pot can take 2 hours on high heat or 6 hours on low heat.
The internal temperature of the brats should reach 160 °F.
While it is not necessary, searing the brats first will give them a nice brown color and lock in their juices.
