In a lovingly slow-cooked way, this beer bath with its blend of soft beer, chicken broth, and the ennobling aroma of onions makes bratwurst tender and delicious. Bathed in garlic butter, bratwurst made deliciously juicy is infused with other rich flavors. The entire dish could be served from the slow cooker, or further flavors could be provided by adding caramelization in the skillet for an intensified taste. It’s the perfect potluck or soul food dinner- towed in one bowl, and wafts scent in the air.
Why You’ll Love It
By giving you over-the-top homemade tastiness without your lifting a finger, Slow Cooker Hot Tub Beer Brats would find favor with the crowds. It is steaming simple but packed with flavors-ideal stuff for hanging around on game days, soaking in a barbecue, or even having as comfort, weeknight dinners. It’s as simple to use as rolling a bratwurst around inside a slow cooker and taking care of getting soaking in beer, butter, and garlic. Oh, and when the caramelized onions are by side, juicily tender, this would be just awesome. It is one of those recipes that everyone will rave about-and only you will know how simple it was to make!
Key Ingredients:
Bratwurst: Browse around for a high-quality product from your favorite butcher or brand. Feeling playful? Racy types of these fanciful variations perform admirably with the cheesy or fiery spiced kind.
Beer: An enjoyable drinking experience with a nice flavor is what a wonderful cooking beer is all about. Keep it soft by going with light lagers, or deepen it with darker ales or stouts.
Onions: Sweet or yellow onions for good reasons: their special mellowing and caramelization through boiling.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is quite important here, but minced garlic will also be fine in a pinch.
Butter: You can’t overdo it with butter-coats it to mouth-feel richness and matches the savory flavors.
Chicken Broth: Generally, one ought to choose low-sodium broth lest the whole thing will turn too salty if one is to get overwhelmed with rich toppings like sauerkraut.
Buns: As you wish-gentle and brittle brat-burger or the traditional brat rolls; one may substitute crispy rolls for heartier servings.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
1. Setting the Stage
Picture the Scene: Visualize brats nestled in a slow cooker, surrounded by onions, garlic, and the rich aroma of beer and broth. This dish promises ultimate comfort and satisfaction.
2. Prepare the Slow Cooker
Layer Ingredients:
Place bratwursts (uncooked or pre-browned for added flavor) in the slow cooker.
Add sliced onions and minced garlic, spreading them evenly around the brats.
Optional Step: Brown the brats in a skillet beforehand for a caramelized exterior and deeper flavor.
3. Season to Perfection
Sprinkle garlic powder over the ingredients for an aromatic base.
Dot with slices of butter, ensuring a creamy, velvety texture once melted.
4. Introduce the Liquids
Pour in beer and chicken broth, enough to partially submerge the brats. This combination infuses the brats with deep, hearty flavors.
5. Let the Magic Happen
Season: Add a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it on low heat. Allow the brats to cook for 4-6 hours, gently simmering to absorb the rich flavors and achieve tender, juicy perfection.
6. Final Touches
Serve Directly:
Use tongs to remove the brats directly from the slow cooker.
Spoon the softened onions and garlic over the top for a flavorful topping.
Optional Browning:
For added texture, quickly brown the brats in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side until caramelized and crisp.
7. Bringing It All Together
Assemble:
Place the brats in hoagie rolls or brat buns.
Top with generous amounts of the onion-garlic mixture from the slow cooker.
Enhance:
Add fresh toppings like sliced onions, sauerkraut, or a dollop of mustard for an extra burst of flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Pairing these awesome brats with classic sides will result in the finest meal. Below are few suggestions:
Potato Salad: Creamy or tart, a simply perfect potato salad is another brilliant addition to these flavors in brats.
Coleslaw: Crunchy and cooling, coleslaw provides yet another contrast. It has a different crunchy contrast compared to the juicier brats.
Grilled Corn: Sweet and smoky on the grill; makes an excellent side.
Beer Pairing: A cold beer would be a great match; use the kind of recipe beer with which you had made the sausages, and they will certainly pair harmoniously.
Pretzel Bites: Soft pretzels and beer cheese dip work together well to mop up the delicious broth. Other similar elements would be Beer Brats and Beer Cheese Pretzel Bites.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Leftovers: Store leftover brats and onions in an airtight container with a little of the broth in order to keep moist; it can last for up to 3 days of refrigerator life.
Reheating: Heat the brats in their own broth on the stovetop or microwave. Re-create the crispness by searing them briefly in a skillet.
Freezer: Cooked in broth, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just overnight in the fridge and then reheat as desired.
Meal Prep: This is great as far as meal prep goes. Cook your brats very well beforehand, then reheat them when you are ready to eat. They’re perfect for quick lunches or dinner.
Variations
Hot Brats: To swiftly utilize a punch on the spice, throw a pinch of red pepper flakes or jalapeños into the slow cooker as it works.
Cheese Brats: Grate the cheddar and sprinkle over assembled brats before serving.
Vegetarian Option: Plant-based sausages make perfect substitutes for bratwursts in vegetarian dishes.
With a German Twist: Try warm German potato salad and red cabbage served with a hot side of tanginess next to the brats.
Try Apple Cider Brats: Replace the beer in the recipe, and use sweet hard apple cider for a fall twist.
Final Note
This Slow Cooker Hot Tub Beer Brats is just every bit of simple and easy-to-cook delicacy without that need of so much of extravagance. When you are hosting a party, preparing to invite family for dinner or perhaps a craving for a really comfy dish, this final recipe would be the best thing to crave for. The use of a slow cooker prepares everything with perfect reheating after cook time to allow you to just kick back and enjoy the show. Since it’s so easy to garnish and serve in a variety of ways, it’s hard to get bored of it. Toss it in and let the slow cooker do its magic; you will not regret it!
Slow Cooker Hot Tub Beer Brats
Ingredients
- 1 package bratwurst 5-6 brats
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bottle beer your favorite
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tbsp butter sliced
- 14 oz chicken broth
- hoagie rolls or brat buns for serving
Instructions
- Place bratwursts in the slow cooker. Add the sliced onions and minced garlic, spreading them evenly around the brats. For added flavor, you can brown the brats in a skillet beforehand.
- Sprinkle garlic powder over the ingredients and dot with slices of butter for a creamy texture.
- Pour in the beer and chicken broth, ensuring the brats are partially submerged. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set to low heat. Cook for 4–6 hours until the brats are tender and infused with the flavorful broth.
- For added texture, remove the cooked brats from the slow cooker and brown them in a hot skillet for 2–3 minutes on each side until caramelized.
- Place the brats in hoagie rolls or brat buns. Top with softened onions and garlic from the slow cooker. Optional garnishes include fresh toppings like sliced onions, sauerkraut, or a dollop of mustard.
