When there’s a football game on, basically that means my hubby is going to be out of commission for that time, which means I’m solo momming it! Those days, I’m hunting for something delicious and easy that I can toss into the crockpot! This Cheesy Beer Brat Chowder was the perfect solution for my hungry boys! It was like a tailgater’s dream! Those big potato chunks in there, the juicy beer brats, those tender veggies, and that rich and cheesy broth – it was total comfort food!

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When did game day and bratwurst become BFF’s?

Bratwurst dates all the way back to medieval Germany, with the very first written record of them appearing in 1313! Back in the 19th century, German immigrants came to the Midwest and brought bratwurst with them! From there, they really blew up, especially in Wisconsin! By the mid 20th century, Wisconsinites would simmer brats in beer before grilling them and attending tailgater parties and other social game day rituals.

By the 1990’s brats were right up there with wings, chili, and nachos – listed as a national game day staple! And beer brats officially became a “tailgater food” especially surrounding the “Green Bay Packers!” Since I’m from Wisconsin, I can attest that football is like…a really big deal around here. Everybody just loses their minds for it, screaming, drinking, and rooting for their favorite player to score a touchdown! I’m not much of a sports girl but…I’m here for the snacks and drinks!

Why make this chowder in a crockpot?

Whether you’re having people over for the game or headed over to someone else’s house – this recipe is perfect because it’s portable, exudes game day vibes, and it’s extremely cozy for this time of year! Beer brats and cheese, along with a hands-off meal, your friends and family, and a chilly beer? I mean, it really can’t get better than that! Just dump everything into the crockpot and forget about it until it’s time to eat!

Did you know?

In the late 20th century, cities like Madison and Bucyrus began holding bratwurst festivals, which really helped to establish these bad boys as a celebratory food! Packer fans even consistently say that brats are the ULTIMATE game day food which just reinforces that cultural tie to football! And did you know, tailgating is more than just drinking and eating in a parking lot! It’s a billion-dollar industry! Americans spend over $35 BILLION annually on supplies, drinks, and foods for tailgating purposes! That’s a lotta beers, brats, and wings!

What ingredients do I need to make this cheesy soup?

Beer Brats
Yellow Potatoes
Jalapeño
Yellow Onion
Garlic
Diced Tomatoes
Frozen Corn
Sharp Cheddar
Beef Broth
Half and Half
Butter
Salt
Paprika
Chili Powder
Black Pepper
Thyme
Bay Leaf

For serving:

Green Onion
Sharp Cheddar
Crispy Bread

What equipment do I need?

How do I make it?

To get started on this cheesy chowder, you’ll first want to wash and prep your veggies! Deseed and dice the jalapeños. Dice the potatoes and onion. Mince the garlic and thyme and cut the beer brats up into 1-inch rounds. Shred the sharp cheddar and refrigerate until ready to use.

Veggies, herbs, brats, and cheese on a wooden cutting board on a countertop

In a large skillet, melt butter on medium heat. Brown the brats, flipping occasionally with a spatula, until they have a nice crispy crust. Then move to a paper towel lined plate until ready to use.

Beer brats cooking in a skillet on the stove

Next, add all veggies and brats to the crockpot.

Ingredients for cheesy beer brat chowder going into a crockpot

Add in the thyme, bay leaf, and spices.

Ingredients for beer brat chowder going into the crockpot

Drain and rinse the diced tomatoes, then add those and the beef broth to the crockpot and give everything a good stir! This is like the one time ever that I’ve drained AND rinsed a can of diced tomatoes, but I really didn’t want that tomato to take over since this soup is heavily creamy and cheesy based!

Ingredients in the crockpot for game day soup

Cook on high or low for several hours, whatever suits you best! Once potatoes are fork tender, stir in the cheese, half and half, and thawed corn. Use a fork or the back of a spoon to smash up some of those potatoes and naturally thicken the chowder. Turn the crockpot to high for several minutes, just to heat everything through and marry those flavors together!

Pluck the bay leaf from the chowder and serve hot! Garnish with green onion, more shredded cheddar, and crispy bread! Enjoy!

Cheesy bratwurst soup in a crockpot with a green spoon scooping some

Tips:

There are jalapeños in here, but this wasn’t very spicy at all! It was family friendly! If you’re wanting more spice, consider adding another jalapeño or some cayenne pepper!
Shredding your own cheese is important for a melty, velvety texture! Pre-shredded cheese might not give you that creamy consistency you’re looking for because of the ingredient it contains to stop clumping in the bag!
If you want to make this on the stove, you definitely can! Just brown the brats, sauté the veggies, and simmer broth, potatoes, and seasonings until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Then stir in the cheese, cream, and corn and simmer for 5-10 minutes more!
This soup will last for 3-5 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it can also be frozen for up to 3 months!

Looking for some more game day recipes? Check these out!

Cheesy Beer Brat Chowder

The Wholesome Spoon

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 4

Course Main Course

Cuisine German-American, Midwest-American

Servings

Calories 480 kcal

Equipment