Ingredients:
2 rings smoked sausage, sliced into 3 inch pieces
2 pounds sauerkraut
8 to 12 red potatoes, washed and halved or quartered depending on the size
1 onion sliced
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 apples, cored and sliced
2 bottles (12 ounces) beer
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional)
Directions:
Place potatoes in slow cooker. Next add onion, apples, kraut, and bacon. Place sausage on top. Pour in beer, brown sugar and caraway seeds. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours or until the potatoes are tender.




Made this recipe last night for our small group meeting from church. I browned 1/2 of the onion with the bacon and – at the suggestion of my husband – browned the sausage. Everyone loved it – except the one man who won’t eat sauerkraut (his wife brought a separate meal for him). ;D
I make this yesterday and it is delicious. The apple gives it a little sweetness with the sauerkraut. Next time I will put an extra apple in it. Love your recipes.
we made this dish the family enjoyed
it very much
I am making it right now! I used Miller beer because that was what I had at home. Next time I will try Heineken;)
Can you skip brown sugar? If you don’t have it, is it OK to use regular sugar?
I rinsed my sauerkraut because it had a really strong taste.
Can’t wait to try it!?
Oh, are you supposed to stir it?
Hi Meggie,
Yes, you can skip the brown sugar if you want. Stir it after it’s done. Enjoy!
Amy
I may have to use something else instead of beer. I think it will be hard to get my husband to part with 2 bottles of beer !!
Barbara,
You can use a little apple juice mixed with water instead of beer. Chicken stock also works well.
Amy
Amy:
This sounds very good. I’m going to try it. Thank you!
For those wanting a substitute for the beer. I am a celiac (wheat allergy) and I usually use an inexpensive white wine or tomato juice for stew & chili recipes calling for beer. You could also use white grape juice or unsweetened apple juice. Individual pallet and the recipe will dictate the choice. Have fun with it! There are GF beers but they’re pricey.
Going to make this today. Can Bavarian kraut be used?
You bet! -Amy
What can you use instead of the beer? Also can you clarify the sausage because you have that listed twice for the ingredients.
What could you use in place of the beer?
WONDERFUL!!!!!! My husband was skeptical when I told him about this recipe, but he just put down 2 helpings and is still saying how good it was! We are going to try adding other veggies to it (carrots, rutabagas).
I’m so glad you liked it, Debbie! -Amy
what kind of beer is best to use?
You can use any kind of beer. German beer would be nice but I just use the cheap stuff.
what are the best apples to use? can bavarian sauerkraut be used?
Whatever you have. I like to use crisper apples, rather than the baking ones.
I didn’t drain my kraut, and I added a whole lot more potatoes and it is ABSOLUTELY SCRUMPTIOUS!!!
Should kraut be washed and drained?
Just drained, no need to rinse it unless you want to. Enjoy!