Flavorful, juicy Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and apples, made in the crockpot, is perfect for tailgate parties, or an easy weeknight dinner. These savory German sausages with a hint of sweetness will be a hit with your whole crew!
Sausages like Bratwurst are one of the easiest proteins to make. Since they’re already seasoned and prepared, all you need to do is properly cook them!
I love to use my slow cooker to make bratwurst and all types of sausage. The low, slow cooking time lets me impart tons of flavor to the meat, and I never need to worry that they’re undercooked or dry.
Brats with sauerkraut served on rolls is a fantastic meal option for football season! This crockpot recipe is perfect for tailgate parties or home parties.
Looking for a few different easy slow cooker meals? My Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili is also a favorite for game day as is my Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
Bratwurst with Sauerkraut Recipe Highlights
- Juicy Sausages – Pan searing the brats first locks in the flavor and moisture so that they stay plump and juicy even after slow cooking. This recipe is similar to my slow cooker peppers and sausage recipe, but that one uses Italian sausages.
- Easy Prep – You’ll want to take a few minutes to sautée the onion and sear the brats. Once that’s done, the slow cooker will do the rest of the work for you.
- Make Ahead – Feel free to prep this meal and keep it in the fridge overnight. You can add it to the crockpot a few hours before dinner time, no matter where you are! This recipe is great for camping and tailgating.
Ingredients for Bratwurst with Sauerkraut
Here’s what you need to make this German Inspired Crockpot dish:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Bratwurst: For best results, use fresh (uncooked) pork bratwurst for this recipe.
- Sauerkraut: You can use canned sauerkraut or the type that comes in a plastic bag, usually found in the produce section. Either way, I like to drain and rinse it briefly to mellow out the intense flavor.
- Garlic and Onion: Before adding these to the slow cooker, saute them to bring out their sweet, savory flavor.
- Apple: Any kind of sweet apple will work in this recipe. Try Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples. Avoid anything too tart, like Granny Smith.
- Beer: A lager-style beer or any light-flavored beef will work here. Avoid overly hoppy beers like IPAs. If you’d rather not use alcohol, apple juice, chicken broth, non-alcoholic beer or water works fine too.
- Seasonings: Whole grain mustard, brown sugar, and caraway seeds. Rather not have the seeds in your dish? That’s fine, simply leave them out.
The Best Way to Cook Bratwurst with Sauerkraut
Tip!
This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a hungry crowd. I’d suggest using a larger crockpot, and adding about a hour to the cooking time.
Recipe Tips
- In a hurry? Skip the searing and sautéing steps. You’ll miss out on the beautiful brown color, but the bratwurst will still be delicious!
- Serve with rolls. These tasty brats make great sandwiches, and I like to serve them on soft buns with the sauerkraut, onion, and apple mixture spooned on top. Spicy brown mustard makes a great topping.
- Or don’t! You can also serve this as a plated meal along with your favorite side dishes. German Brats go really well with potatoes, cold salads, or roasted veggies.
- When fully cooked, the bratwurst internal temp should be at least 160°F/71°C.
Storing Tips
Once your crockpot brats and sauerkraut are cooked, you can allow them to cool down, then store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If needed, you can also freeze leftover bratwurst and sauerkraut for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Brats and Sauerkraut
These brats make a great main dish for a football party. Along with them, I suggest having plenty of delicious snacks and appetizers for people to enjoy!
Consider making one of my favorite dips: Meaty Cheeseburger Dip, Italian Hoagie Dip, and Crockpot Pizza Dip are always a big hit at my parties.
If you’re serving this dish as a family dinner, pair it with easy side dishes like mashed potatoes, potato salad, or a simple tossed salad.
If you want to keep on the theme of German cuisine, try a traditional German dessert! I have easy recipes for German Stollen and German Plum Cake that you can try!
Recipe FAQs
Can I slow cook frozen bratwurst?
While you technically can, I don’t recommend putting frozen meat in the crockpot for food safety reasons. Instead, thaw the frozen sausages using your microwave thaw setting or in the fridge overnight first.
Will this recipe work with pre-cooked bratwurst?
Yes! Try this with pre-cooked brats or smoked kielbasa. You won’t need quite as much time in the crockpot to get everything heated through, so check on it after a couple of hours.
What size crockpot do I need for brats and sauerkraut?
I suggest using at least a six-quart slow cooker for this recipe so that you have enough room for all of this yummy food!
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
If you’re hungry now you can absolutely make bratwurst and sauerkraut on the stove! I suggest sauteeing the apples with the onions to soften them. Then brown the sausage in a skillet and add the rest of the ingredients. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through.
Enjoy this easy crockpot recipe for Bratwurst with Sauerkraut, and don’t forget to save the recipe for football season!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Bratwurst with Sauerkraut – Slow Cooker Recipe
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil
- 5 bratwurst
- 1 large sweet onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 16 ounces (450 g) sauerkraut drained and rinsed
- 1 Honeycrisp apple peeled and diced
- 12 ounces (355 ml) lager beer
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds optional
Instructions
- Heat oil n a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the brats on all sides in the oil, until they have some color, but aren't fully cooked.
- Take the brats out and set them on a plate. Add the onions to the pan and cook until softened and starting to brown, 8-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Then remove the pan from the heat.
- Add the sauerkraut, diced apple, beer, brown sugar, mustard, and caraway seeds to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Add the seared brats to the slow cooker along with the onions and garlic.
- Cover with the lid and cook for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. The bratwurst internal temp should reach at least 160°F/71°C.
Notes:
- In a hurry? Skip the searing and sautéing steps. You’ll miss out on the beautiful brown color, but the bratwurst will still be delicious!
- Serve with rolls. These tasty brats make great sandwiches, and I like to serve them on soft buns with the sauerkraut, onion, and apple mixture spooned on top. Spicy brown mustard makes a great topping.
- Or don’t! You can also serve this as a plated meal along with your favorite side dishes. German Brats go really well with potatoes, cold salads, or roasted veggies.
- When fully cooked, the bratwurst internal temp should be at least 160°F/71°C.
- Storing: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
D. Smith says
I do this same recipe but I hate bratwurst or any kind of sausage for that matter, so I use pork chops or even hamburger patties with the sauerkraut, which is LOVE. I tried making my own sauerkraut last year but it just didn’t work out. I tried several different methods but none of them worked. Oh well. Browned pork chops with apples and sauerkraut and fried onions are just the best!
Little Sunny Kitchen says
That’s a great idea! I wouldn’t have thought to use pork chops or burgers instead of sausage.