Crockpot Dr. Pepper Bratwurst
This is a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that’s super fun and just perfect for busy nights when you need something that everyone is actually going to eat. These crockpot Dr Pepper bratwurst are sweet, savory, and perfect for feeding a hungry family or a crowd with almost no effort.
The brats are quickly seared, then slow cooked with onions in a simple Dr Pepper barbecue sauce until they’re tender and full of flavor. Just pile them onto buns, spoon over the sauce, and dinner is done.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for feeding a crowd: Whether it’s a cookout, BBQ, or game day, this recipe makes plenty and keeps everyone happy!
- Great for family dinners: Simple, hearty, and something everyone will actually eat
- Set-it-and-forget-it easy: Once it’s in the slow cooker, you’re basically done
- Ideal for hosting: Keep everything warm in the crockpot and let people serve themselves
- Camping-friendly: Easy to prep ahead and cook without much fuss
- Big flavor with minimal effort: Sweet, savory, and packed with flavor from just a handful of ingredients
- Low stress, high reward: The kind of recipe you can rely on when you don’t want to overthink dinner
Ingredients & Notes
Want to grab the printable recipe card? No worries! It’s at the bottom of this post. But don’t skip the coming sections first though. I’m explaining more about the ingredients we’re using (and some substitutions in case you need to shake things up), plus sharing extra hints and tips to help you create the best results.
- Bratwurst sausages: Any fresh bratwurst will work just fine here. You can use classic pork brats or try beef or chicken depending on what you prefer.
- Onion: Sliced onions cook down and become soft, sweet, and full of flavor as they soak up the sauce.
- Dr Pepper: This is what gives the brats that signature sweet, slightly caramelized flavor as it cooks.
- Barbecue sauce: Adds a smoky, tangy base to balance out the sweetness. Use your favorite brand.
- Brown sugar: Enhances the sweetness and helps create that rich, sticky sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a little depth and savory flavor to round everything out.
How To Make Crockpot Dr. Pepper Bratwurst
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the bratwurst on all sides just until they get a little color.
- Add the sliced onions to the bottom of your slow cooker, then place the brats on top.
- In a bowl, whisk together the Dr Pepper, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the bratwurst.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours.
- Serve the brats on buns with the onions and plenty of that sauce spooned over the top.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm the bratwurst and onions on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Add a spoonful of the sauce to keep everything nice and juicy.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Searing the brats first adds extra flavor and gives them a better texture.
- Turn the brats halfway through cooking so they soak up the sauce evenly.
- Spoon plenty of the sauce over the brats when serving. It’s where a lot of the flavor is!
- Don’t skip the onions. They soften as they cook and add a lot of sweetness and flavor to the dish.
- If the sauce looks a little thin at first, don’t worry. It’ll thicken slightly as it cooks.
- For the best flavor, let the brats sit in the sauce for a few minutes before serving so everything has time to soak in.
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap the soda: Beer can be used instead of Dr Pepper for a more classic, less sweet flavor.
- Use honey instead of brown sugar: It adds a slightly different sweetness but works just as well.
- Try a different sausage: Italian sausage is a great alternative if you don’t have bratwurst.
- Add more veggies: Bell peppers cook down nicely with the onions and add a little extra flavor and color.
- Turn up the heat: Add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little spice.
How To Serve Your Dr. Pepper Bratwurst
These are perfect for easy, laidback family dinners! Just pile the bratwurst onto buns, add the onions, and spoon over plenty of that sauce.
They’re also great for feeding a crowd. Think cookouts, BBQs, or even camping trips where you want something simple but really satisfying. You can keep them warm right in the slow cooker and let everyone serve themselves.
Add a few easy sides like chips, potato salad, or coleslaw, and you’ve got a meal that works for just about any occasion you can think of.
Crockpot Dr. Pepper Bratwurst
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bratwurst sausages
- 1 large onion sliced
- 1 cup Dr Pepper
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the bratwurst on all sides just until they get a little color.
- Add the sliced onions to the bottom of your slow cooker, then place the brats on top.
- In a bowl, whisk together the Dr Pepper, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the bratwurst.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours.
- Serve the brats on buns with the onions and plenty of that sauce spooned over the top.
These brats are super easy to prep, and they make for a fun, stress free dinner that you can serve up for family dinners, cookouts, or even camping trips if you want to shake things up a bit! I hope you and your family love them. If you do try them, let me know your thoughts. You can also tag me in your pics on Instagram @slimmingviolet and #slimmingviolet.
