Slow Cooker Beer Bratwurst with Onions and Peppers are the perfect, easy cookout meal for a crowd. Brats are slow cooked in German beer along with onions and peppers, pile onto a bun and you’re set for a great game day.

A closeup of a slow cooker beer bratwurst on a bun topped with onions and peppers

Want to take the labor out of cooking on Labor Day? Then these beer brats are for you. They will start cooking before your guests arrive.

Once they are cooked you can turn the slow cooker down to low and they can bathe in the hot tub until everyone is ready to eat. Just set out the buns and condiments, then you can sit back and relax. 

Onions and peppers piled on top of a bratwurst sandwich

Oktoberfest Bratwurst

These brats are not just great for Labor Day and game day and tailgating, Oktoberfest is also a great time to enjoy these as they are German after all.

I could live on sausages. I love all types from hot dogs to brats and of course, British bangers. I recently added another recipe that is perfect for Oktoberfest, German Beer Sausage and Potatoes. The most delicious comfort food.

My love of brats with sausage and peppers came about many years ago when I first starting dating my husband. Every year we would attend the Long Beach Grand Prix and see the Indy cars race.

When we arrived at the track, the first thing we did was get brats and beer, which was usually breakfast. Before I came along, my now husband used to go to the race with his friend Brad, who then named the brats ‘dag nasties’. That name has stuck and we call them that to this day.

3 bratwurst sandwiches on a board with pickles

This recipe is for 4 people, but it’s easy to double or triple the recipe. Just make sure you have a slow cooker big enough, or borrow a second one for the day.

Bratwurst in the slow cooker tip

When you add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, it will look like there are too many onions and peppers, but they do cook down a lot.

I bought my bratwurst from a local German market and there were a lot to choose from, but you can buy any bratwurst that your local supermarket carries.

Bratwurst serving suggestion

If you want to make these really German, add store bought sauerkraut.

If you’ve tried these Slow Cooker Beer Bratwurst with Onions and Peppers or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love to hear from my readers!

Yield: 4

Slow Cooker Beer Bratwurst with Onions and Peppers

Slow cooker beer bratwurst on a bun with onions and peppers

Slow cooker beer bratwurst with onions and peppers are the perfect, easy cookout meal for a crowd. Brats are slow cooked in German beer along with onions and peppers.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 bratwurst sausage
  • 2 medium sweet onions, sliced
  • 2 bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups (354 ml) German beer
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Turn the slow cooker on to preheat.
  2. To a skillet add the oil over medium heat and brown the brats on all sides. Remove and add to the slow cooker.
  3. Top the brats with the onions and peppers, salt, pepper and butter. Pour over the beer and mix. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low 7-8 hours.
  4. Serve on a bun with your favorite condiments

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 460Total Fat 36gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 81mgSodium 880mgCarbohydrates 19gFiber 2gSugar 10gProtein 16g

This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.

Homemade Dill Pickle Chips

These homemade dill pickle chips take a few easy steps to transform simple cucumbers into fresh and crunchy, delicious pickle chips. Perfect for snacking, sandwiches and of course, burgers.