The Only Way to Make Brats for a Crowd

The slow cooker is great in the winter for making cozy soups and stews, but have you ever thought to use it just as often in the summer? Think about it; you can cook a whole meal without heating up the kitchen, which is handy for hot summer days. One of my new favorite things to make in the slow cooker during the summer is a long-time backyard party classic: bratwurst!

One of the best ways to make brats is to stew them in beer. I applied this traditional method to the slow cooker and found it to be one of the easiest ways to make brats that I’ve ever tried! You can make them for your family on busy weeknights, or serve them up at a potluck (without having to slave over the grill all afternoon). Here’s how to make them! 

First, brown the brats over a medium-high heat in a 10-inch skillet and then place them in a 5- to 6-quart slow-cooker.

Top the brats with onion slices, garlic, butter, salt and pepper (specific amounts of each ingredient are listed in the recipe below).

Pour in three bottles of your favorite beer and cook on high for four hours or on low for seven to eight hours.

After the brats are fully cooked, they are ready to eat! Line the counter with buns and your family’s favorite toppings. At my house, we’re partial to sauerkraut and yellow mustard!