Recipe Shoebox: Bratwurst in a Slow Cooker

I love brats. (No not brats, as in undisciplined people, but as in bratwurst). Maybe it's because I grew up in the mid-west and we had them every summer on the grill, or maybe it's because they just taste so much better than hot dogs or maybe it's because I love cooking on a grill. In any case I love brats. Unfortunately, I do not have a grill. I have learned to cook them in the oven and that works just fine too, but when it's hot out, I don't want to turn on the oven. So, it's back to my trusty crock pot. I made these the other day for my family to see how well they would turn out (because I'm cooking a whole bunch of them on the 4th of July and I wanted to try out the crock pot.) They were a success and I fully intend to keep cooking them this way until I get my grill back.

Click here for printable recipe.?

The Ingredients:

1 package Bratwurst
1 onion
apple juice
Dijon mustard (optional)

The Directions:
Brown the sides of the brats in a skillet on the stove. (This will let them still have a nice coloring afterwards like the grill)Meanwhile, slice your onion.If desired, mix some apple juice with a couple spoonfuls of Dijon mustard. Place a layer of onions on the bottom of the crockpot. Top with the brats, and then place the rest of the onions on top. (If desired you could also slice up a green pepper to put in here as well. I personally like it with peppers and onions, but my husband is a brat purist)Cover the brats with apple juice*.Put on lid and cook in crock pot for 5-6 hours on low or until juices runs clear. Because you browned them beforehand you may not actually cook them that long.

Remove when done and serve with crusty or hogie buns and whatever condiments you like. I like just ketchup and relish. My hubby likes relish, horseradish and ketchup. My boys like them plain.

If you are into tailgating (with college football season coming up) then this is a great way to cook your brats. *There are plenty of recipes out there for cooking brats in beer in a crockpot. I don't drink beer, so therefore this is with the apple juice substitution.

Source: http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com/2011/07/bratwurst-in-slow-cooker.html

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