Description
A rustic, hands-off German-inspired meal where bratwurst sausages are slow-cooked with beer, caramelized onions, and sauerkraut for a tender, flavorful dinner that practically cooks itself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 links fresh pork bratwurst sausages
- 1 bottle or can (12 oz / 355ml) German-style lager or pilsner
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced into half-moons
- 16 oz (450g) jar sauerkraut, rinsed and drained thoroughly
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard (optional)
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 2 tablespoons butter (for finishing)
- Hard rolls or bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Slice the onions into thin half-moons and place them at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Sprinkle caraway seeds and bay leaves over the onions.
- Drain the sauerkraut well, pressing out excess liquid, and add it on top of the onions.
- Pour in the beer, Dijon mustard, and whole grain mustard. Stir gently to combine.
- Place the bratwurst links on top of the kraut and onion mixture. Pour any remaining beer over the sausages.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until onions are sweet and sausages reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Remove sausages from the pot. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sear the sausages in the butter for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
- Serve sausages on hard rolls or in bowls with the onion-kraut mixture and beer broth.
Notes
Drain the sauerkraut thoroughly to avoid a watery dish. Searing the sausages at the end adds texture. The leftover broth is excellent for cooking rice or pouring over mashed potatoes. Do not cook on HIGH for more than 4 hours as it may toughen the sausages.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 brats with topping
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 1200
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Oktoberfest, bratwurst, slow cooker, German beer, sauerkraut, braised onions, easy dinner, comfort food