Ingredients
3 pounds bratwurst sausages (about 10–12 brats)
Directions
Layer the sliced onions in the bottom of a large slow cooker, spreading them out into an even bed. This keeps the brats lifted slightly and lets them soak up flavor as they cook.
Nestle the bratwurst sausages on top of the onions in a single snug layer. It’s fine if they touch or overlap a bit; they’ll shrink slightly as they cook.
Pour the beer evenly over the brats and onions. The sausages should be mostly submerged in the golden liquid; it’s okay if a few tops peek out.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the brats are cooked through, plump, and the onions are very soft. The skins may look pale at this point; that’s okay if you’re short on time, they’re still delicious.
Optional but recommended for color: Once the brats are fully cooked, transfer them to a hot skillet or grill and brown them for 2–3 minutes per side until nicely golden. Then return them to the slow cooker, nestling them back into the hot beer and onions to stay warm until serving.
Keep the slow cooker on WARM for serving. Set out tongs for the brats and a spoon for the onions and broth. Serve the brats straight from the slow cooker, topping each one with a scoop of the tender onions and a little of the flavorful beer broth.
Variations & Tips
For kids or non-beer drinkers, you can swap some or all of the beer with low-sodium chicken broth or a mix of apple juice and water; it won’t taste boozy either way since the alcohol cooks off, but the flavor will be a bit sweeter and milder. If you like a deeper onion flavor, add an extra onion or slice them a little thicker so they hold their shape. For a touch of spice, use a few hot or jalapeño brats mixed in with regular ones.
If you’re trying to stretch the meal, tuck in a few parboiled potatoes or baby red potatoes on top of the onions before adding the brats and beer—they’ll soak up the broth and make a hearty side. To keep picky eaters happy, leave the onions in the slow cooker and let them choose whether to add them; the brats will still be flavorful from the beer.
Leftovers reheat well in a small saucepan with a splash of the broth, or you can slice the brats and onions and use them in hoagies, over mashed potatoes, or even on pizza for an easy second-night meal.