These eight ingredient Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut Sandwiches are the most hands off recipe ever. Perfect for game day or any night of the week.
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Original content posted October 2017. Updated October 2020.
What Ingredients Are in a Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut Sandwich?
These eight ingredient – including the roll! – Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut Sandwiches are the most hands off game day recipe ever. Smoked sausage, sauerkraut, onion, red bell pepper and mushrooms are stirred together with brown sugar, pepper and garlic and slow cooked before being stuffed into a sandwich roll.
In short, these sandwiches are what my husband would pick for his last meal on earth, if given the opportunity.
How to Avoid a Soggy Slow Cooker Sandwich
Unlike similar sandwiches you may have had in the past, these aren’t soggy! There’s nothing worse in my opinion than a soggy sandwich where the bread or roll soaks up all the liquid and immediately begins to fall apart. Plus, don’t get me started on the texture of a saturated sandwich. So gross!
Instead, all of the liquid is drained from each ingredient before being put in the slow cooker and then they’re cooked just enough so that the vegetables remain crisp tender and don’t turn to mush. Don’t get me wrong, if you’re into that whole aus jus situation there is some cooking liquid leftover for sandwich dipping.
How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut Sandwiches
[1] In a six quart slow cooker, add sausage.
TIP: Although totally unnecessary, if you’d like to add an additional layer of flavor, you can brown the sausage before proceeding to the next step.
I like to make this recipe in this slow cooker – it comes in 4, 6 or 8 quart options – or using the slow cooker function of my Instant Pot. If using your Instant Pot, you’ll want to use the tempered glass lid instead of the top that comes with it and is used for pressure cooking.
[2] Add tomatoes, sauerkraut, mushrooms, bell peppers and onion.
[3] Add brown sugar, pepper and garlic.
[4] Gently stir ingredients together. Cook on HIGH two hours or on LOW four hours. Serve filling in a sandwich roll.
TIP: Depending on the brand of tomatoes used, you may want to add a bit of salt to the sausage mixture prior to serving.
If you’ve tried these Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut Sandwiches or any other recipe on Melanie Makes, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you and respond to each and every comment!
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Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 28 ounces smoked sausage sliced into 1/2" pieces on the diagonal
- 28 ounce can diced tomatoes drained
- 32 ounces sauerkeraut drained
- 16 ounces baby portabella mushrooms sliced
- 1 onion halved and sliced
- 2 red bell peppers julienned
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 12 sausage or hot dog rolls
Instructions
- In a six quart slow cooker, add sausage.TIP: Although totally unnecessary, if you'd like to add an additional layer of flavor, you can brown the sausage before proceeding to the next step.I like to make this recipe in this slow cooker – it comes in 4, 6 or 8 quart options – or using the slow cooker function of my Instant Pot. If using your Instant Pot, you’ll want to use the tempered glass lid instead of the top that comes with it and is used for pressure cooking.
- Add tomatoes, sauerkraut, mushrooms, bell peppers and onion.
- Add brown sugar, pepper and garlic.
- Gently stir ingredients together.
- Cook on HIGH two hours or on LOW four hours.
- Serve filling in a sandwich roll.TIP: Depending on the brand of tomatoes used, you may want to add a bit of salt to the sausage mixture prior to serving.
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