These 5-ingredient slow cooker summer evening brats are the kind of easy dinner that saves the day when work runs late and everyone is hungry at once. Using raw pork bratwurst links and a handful of simple ingredients, the slow cooker does the heavy lifting while the brats turn tender and flavorful. It is a practical warm-weather meal that gives you that backyard brat taste without having to stand over a hot grill.
Serve these brats on toasted buns with the cooked onions spooned over the top, then round out dinner with potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, pasta salad, or a crisp green salad. They also pair well with kettle chips, pickles, and cold lemonade for an easy casual meal that feels perfect for a laid-back summer night.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Summer Evening Brats
Servings: 6
Ingredients
6 raw pork bratwurst links
2 large sweet onions, sliced
1 (12-ounce) bottle light beer or 1 1/2 cups apple juice
2 tablespoons grainy or Dijon mustard
6 brat buns
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick spray if desired for easier cleanup. Spread half of the sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker, place the raw bratwurst links on top, then cover with the remaining onions.
2. In a small bowl, stir the beer or apple juice together with the mustard until combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the brats and onions.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, until the brats are fully cooked and the onions are very tender.
4. If you like, lightly toast the buns. Place each brat in a bun, spoon onions over the top, and add a little of the cooking liquid for extra flavor. Serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Make it kid-friendly: Skip strong mustard and use apple juice instead of beer for a slightly sweeter flavor that tends to go over well with kids.
Add peppers: Sliced green or red bell peppers can cook right along with the onions for more color and a sausage-and-peppers feel.
Brown for extra color: If you have a few extra minutes, quickly sear the bratwurst in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. It adds deeper color and a more grilled-style look.
Meal prep tip: Slice the onions the night before and keep them in the fridge so you can assemble everything in the slow cooker in just a couple of minutes the next day.
Serving tip: Keep the cooked brats on the warm setting for up to an hour if everyone is eating at different times, and let people build their own sandwiches with mustard, sauerkraut, or pickles at the table.