Slow Cooked Reuben Style Brats: An Easy, Flavorful Crockpot Recipe with Sauerkraut and Beer
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with these Slow Cooked Reuben Style Brats. Succulent bratwurst, simmered all day in a rich blend of tangy sauerkraut, aromatic spices, and a hint of beer, is nestled into toasted hoagie rolls. Each bite is elevated with a creamy, savory Reuben sauce and melted Swiss cheese, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors reminiscent of the classic Reuben sandwich. This recipe offers a hassle-free approach to preparing a deeply satisfying meal, perfect for any occasion.
This mouthwatering recipe is proudly sponsored by Frank’s Sauerkraut, a brand renowned for its exceptional quality. All insights, opinions, and culinary enthusiasm shared here are entirely my own. Your continued support for the brands that contribute to making An Affair from the Heart possible is greatly appreciated.
Do you share my profound love for the iconic Reuben sandwich? It’s a classic for a reason – that incredible combination of savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy Russian dressing, all piled high on toasted rye bread. What many don’t realize is the fascinating origin story of this beloved deli staple. It didn’t emerge from the bustling streets of New York City, as commonly believed, but rather from the heartland of America: Omaha, Nebraska. Yes, you read that right! This culinary masterpiece was born right here in my own hometown, adding a delightful local twist to its rich history.
The story goes that the Reuben sandwich was invented by Reuben Kulakofsky, a Jewish Lithuanian-born grocer who lived in Omaha. He conceived this now-famous sandwich, possibly with the help of others, during a weekly poker game. These games were held at the prestigious Blackstone Hotel between the 1920s and 1935, and the participants affectionately called themselves “the committee.” Among them was Charles Schimmel, the hotel owner. The sandwich first gained local recognition when Schimmel wisely added it to the Blackstone’s lunch menu. Its fame quickly spread beyond Omaha when a former hotel employee secured a national contest win with the recipe, cementing its place in American culinary history. To honor this local legend, March 14th was officially declared “Reuben Sandwich Day” in Omaha. This rich history makes these Reuben Style Brats even more special, bringing a piece of that heritage to your slow cooker. – Source: Wikipedia
These Slow Cooked Reuben Style Brats offer the absolute best of two beloved culinary worlds: the hearty, comforting flavors of bratwurst combined with the iconic taste profile of a Reuben sandwich. What makes this recipe truly exceptional is the added convenience and culinary magic of using your slow cooker. The “set it and forget it” nature of slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a dish bursting with deep, complex flavors that develop over hours of gentle simmering.
There’s an undeniable allure to slow cooker meals, and it boils down to one simple word: EASY. These Reuben Style Brats are no exception. They are incredibly versatile, serving as a fantastic, satisfying meal for a cozy night in, or, in my opinion, making an absolutely brilliant choice for a football watch party. Imagine this: you do all the prep work ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully throughout the day in your slow cooker. Then, when halftime rolls around, simply assemble the sandwiches and pop them into the oven for a quick 10-minute toast. It’s effortless entertaining at its finest, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the game and company.
Done and done. Flavorful, easy, and crowd-pleasing!
To kick off this incredibly flavorful dish, the initial step is deceptively simple yet crucial for developing a rich depth of flavor: browning your bratwurst in a skillet. This quick sear on all sides not only gives the brats a beautiful golden-brown crust but also locks in their savory juices, creating a more robust taste and appealing texture that will shine through after hours of slow cooking. Don’t skip this step – it truly makes a difference in the final product!
Once beautifully browned, transfer your bratwurst to the slow cooker, where the real magic happens. They will then slow cook all day, gently simmering in the incredible flavors of Frank’s Sauerkraut, a bottle of your favorite beer, and a medley of carefully selected spices. This extended cooking time allows the brats to become incredibly tender and absorb the tangy, savory notes from the sauerkraut and the subtle maltiness from the beer, creating a complex and incredibly satisfying flavor profile that defines these Reuben Style Brats. The beer not only adds another layer of flavor but also helps tenderize the meat, while the sauerkraut breaks down, infusing its distinctive tang into every component of the dish.
While your brats are slowly simmering to perfection, it’s time to prepare the crucial component that truly brings the “Reuben” to these brats: the homemade Reuben sauce. This isn’t just any dressing; it’s a rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful mixture designed to perfectly complement the savory brats and tangy sauerkraut. The secret ingredient? Finely chopped corned beef, which adds an authentic deli flavor and a delightful texture to the sauce. Combine this with mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, minced onion (I often use dry for convenience), sweet pickle relish, and a touch of minced garlic. This robust and tangy spread captures the essence of a classic Reuben dressing and will elevate your brats to an unforgettable level. Mix it all up in a bowl, and set it aside, ready to unite with the slow-cooked perfection.
The assembly of these incredible sandwiches is where all the prepared components come together to create a masterpiece. Begin by generously spreading the rich, homemade Reuben sauce over the insides of your hoagie rolls. This creates a flavorful base that will soak into the bread as it bakes, adding moisture and an explosion of classic Reuben flavor to every bite. The sauce acts as a delicious barrier, preventing the roll from becoming soggy while also contributing to the overall taste experience. A substantial layer is key here to ensure maximum flavor.
Next, take a slice of creamy Swiss cheese and carefully place it on top of the sauce-laden hoagie roll. The Swiss cheese is not only a hallmark of the Reuben sandwich but also provides a delightful tang and creamy texture that melts beautifully, enveloping the other ingredients. Then, carefully place one of the tender, slow-cooked brats, infused with all the wonderful flavors of sauerkraut and beer, directly onto the cheese. Top this with a generous portion of the flavorful sauerkraut from the slow cooker, ensuring each bite delivers that perfect balance of savory and tangy. Finally, these fully loaded hoagies are ready for their final transformation in the oven. Bake them for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until the rolls are wonderfully toasted and the Swiss cheese has melted into a gooey, irresistible layer, binding all the elements together. This short baking time ensures a warm, crispy sandwich experience.
The wait is over! Get ready to dive into one of the most satisfying and flavor-packed sandwiches you’ve ever tasted. Each bite of these Slow Cooked Reuben Style Brats is a testament to the magic of slow cooking and the timeless appeal of Reuben flavors. The tender bratwurst, slow-simmered with beer and Frank’s Sauerkraut, combined with the creamy Reuben sauce and melted Swiss on a toasted hoagie roll, creates an unparalleled culinary experience. Prepare your taste buds for a truly delicious journey!
On my blog, you’ll discover a multitude of sauerkraut recipes, and for good reason. Sauerkraut isn’t just a delicious accompaniment to many dishes; it’s incredibly good for you! Did you know about the remarkable health benefits packed into every spoonful of this fermented cabbage? It’s a true superfood that often gets overlooked, but its nutritional profile is impressive and makes it a wonderful addition to your diet.
Sauerkraut is a powerhouse of probiotics. Our intestines host a vast ecosystem of beneficial bacteria crucial for digestion and overall gut health. Consuming probiotic-rich foods, such as fermented sauerkraut, can significantly aid in maintaining a healthy gut flora. This is particularly valuable during and after a course of antibiotics, which can unfortunately deplete many of these essential “good” bacteria. By replenishing your gut with live cultures, sauerkraut supports a robust digestive system and can even boost immunity.
Sauerkraut contains powerful isothiocyanate compounds that may help fight cancer. These unique compounds are known for their ability to “reduce the activation of carcinogens and increase their detoxification” within the body. While more extensive research is continually being conducted to definitively prove these links, studies have indicated that diets rich in sauerkraut may correlate with lower cancer rates. This highlights its potential as a valuable component of a health-conscious diet, contributing to cellular protection.
Sauerkraut boasts impressive levels of Vitamin C. We all know Vitamin C is vital for our health, playing a key role in immune function, skin health, and the production of collagen and connective tissue. What you might not have realized is just how abundant this essential vitamin is in sauerkraut. Historically, fermented cabbage was a reliable and accessible source of Vitamin C, particularly important for sailors to prevent scurvy on long voyages. Incorporating sauerkraut into your meals is a delicious way to boost your daily intake of this crucial nutrient, supporting overall well-being. Source: www.diynatural.com
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Print Recipe
Slow Cooked Reuben Style Brats
Ingredients
For the Brats:
- 8 uncooked Bratwurst
- 1 12 ounce bottle beer (could sub water or apple juice for non-alcoholic version)
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 pound Frank’s sauerkraut drained
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 8 hoagie rolls
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup deli corned beef chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons chili sauce
- 1 Tablespoon ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion (I used dry, but fresh works too)
- 2 Tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 clove garlic minced
- sprinkling of black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
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In a large skillet, brown the bratwurst on all sides over medium-high heat until nicely caramelized. This step adds essential flavor and texture. Once browned, transfer the brats to your slow cooker.
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Drain the sauerkraut thoroughly, then evenly spread it over the browned brats in the slow cooker. Scatter the diced small onion over the sauerkraut and brats, then sprinkle generously with caraway seeds. Finally, pour the entire bottle of beer (or your chosen substitute like water or apple juice) over the top of all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours, or until the bratwursts are thoroughly cooked and fork-tender.
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While the brats are slow cooking, prepare the delicious Reuben sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped deli corned beef, mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, minced onion, sweet pickle relish, minced garlic, and a sprinkling of black pepper. Stir all ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the sandwiches.
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When the brats are cooked and you’re ready to serve, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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To assemble, spread a generous amount of the prepared Reuben sauce on the inside of each hoagie roll. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on top of the sauce. Carefully transfer one slow-cooked bratwurst from the crockpot onto the cheese, then top with some of the flavorful slow-cooked sauerkraut. Arrange the assembled hoagies on cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the hoagie rolls are lightly toasted and the Swiss cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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