This Slow Cooker Bratwurst Potato Soup is a soul-satisfying soup that’s perfect for the cold, winter season!
Winter is upon us folks! I saw some pretty remarkable photos this past weekend of a major snow DUMP on some friends from Canada. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much snow!
My poor friend Leanne was buried under mounds and mounds of snow. Because of snow drifts, the snow covered her entire front door, garage door and in some areas looked like it reached right up to the second floor of her home. It was an EPIC blizzard!
I don’t think Canada was the only place to be the recipient of Mother Nature’s wrath either. Several areas are covered with some of winter’s white stuff.
I know lots of people will be spending some time outside shoveling, so that calls for a soul AND appetite satisfying slow cooker soup, like this Slow Cooker Bratwurst Potato Soup.
It’s just like it sounds. A meat and potatoes kinda meal that’ll fill your belly and delight your taste buds and hopefully give you some energy to shovel what Mother Nature’s dishing out.
I’ll be posting more slow cooker meals this year, because you guys said that’s one of the things you’d be looking for in 2020. If you missed a few recent slow cooker recipes you’ll need to check out my Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga and my Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles. The chicken Tinga is my fave and the beef and noodles is Tom’s.
There’s nothing better than working all day and coming home to a dinner that’s been simmering in the slow cooker. It takes all the stress out of dinner time. And today’s recipe couldn’t be easier.
First, you’ll need to remove the bratwurst meat from the casing and cook it up in a skillet until it’s no longer pink. Then simply add all the ingredients, except the cream, to your slow cooker and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
I’ve added a spice called Oktoberfest Bavarian Rub that I received from my friends at The Spice House to give this soup a delicious, rustic flavor. I’ve linked the spice HERE. It’s a combination of dry mustard, rosemary, garlic powder, thyme, sage and bay leaf. Since you guys may not have that spice, I’ve included the same ingredients they use for the rub in the recipe.
The last 30 minutes of cooking, you’ll mash some of the cooked potatoes with a potato masher or spatula until the soup is somewhat thickened and then you’ll add the cream.
This is one soup that we’ll be enjoying all winter long. It’s hearty and the rustic flavors are so comforting. It’s a slow cooker winner! Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Slow Cooker Bratwurst Potato Soup Recipe:
I use my potato masher to mash some, not all, of the potatoes to make the soup just a bit thicker. This is not meant to be a really thick and overly creamy soup, it’s meant to be more brothy.
I highly recommend the Oktoberfest Bavarian Rub Spice by The Spice House, but I have made my own combination below based on the ingredients listed on the package.
This Slow Cooker Bratwurst Potato Soup is a soul-satisfying soup that's perfect for the cold, winter season!
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. bratwurst sausage, removed from casings
- 2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 (about 1 cup) carrots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp. dried mustard
- 1/4 tsp. ground sage
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup heavy cream
- shredded cheddar cheese, for topping if desired
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Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add bratwurst sausage removed from casings and cook, breaking up with a spatula until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon to your slow cooker.
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Add the potatoes, broth, onions, carrots, garlic, thyme, rosemary, mustard, sage, salt and pepper and bay leaf. Mix until well combined.
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Cover and cook on high for 4 1/2 hours or low for 7 hours or until potatoes are fork tender.
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Remove bay leaf. Use a potato masher to mash some, not all, of the potatoes to thicken the soup. Add the cream and stir until well combined. Cover and continue to cook for 1/2 an hour on low until warmed through. Serve immediately with shredded cheddar cheese for topping, if desired.
That snow Leanne had was CRAZY! I’m so glad I don’t live in snow country anymore–and I’m also glad I can make this soup whether it’s snowy outside or not :). It sounds delicious!
It was a blizzard she’ll never forget, I’m sure! Yes you can Kelsie!
The snow has been INSANE! Our city is basically shut down so they can snow clear. Oh well, the joys of winter. This hearty bowl of soup would surely help me out…make that 2 bowls, for sure ;) Pinned! Have a wondeful week ahead, my friend!
Stay warm Dawn! I send warm vibes from sunny Florida your way!
It was such an epic blizzard! The city is still digging out and we’re on day 4 of a state of emergency! Thankfully, we managed to get through the massive drifts around the front door and garage. I love our trusty snow blower and helpful neighbours! The hubby and I seriously could have used a few bowls of this hearty soup after shovelling on Saturday. Pinning to try during our next snow storm! ;) Stay warm and cozy Mary Ann!
Those photos were crazy Leanne! I’m keeping you and everyone where you live in my thoughts and prayers! Hopefully warmer temps are on the way!
Oh my goodness! How do you even begin to dip out from that much snow? We’ve been having snow and cold temps here, but nowhere near that amount of snow. This soup is perfect for warming up and staying warm. It looks delish, and I love that it’s made in the slow cooker. Stay warm!
It was epic for sure Kathy! Hope they get a winter warm up soon! In the meantime enjoy this soup! It’s such a hearty, cozy bowl for winter!
The photos of the snow in Canada were INSANE! Made me freezing cold just looking at them! I hope everyone up there sees this soup, because it looks like the perfect way to stay warm and cozy! Potato soup is a favorite of mine, and I’m loving the addition of bratwurst sausage! That definitely ups the cozy ante!! Definitely adding this one to this week’s dinner menu! Pinned!
Hope you guys enjoy it Chey! Stay warm!
I thought that we had big snow storms, but nothing like what Leanne shared. Just unreal! This soup is just the thing to get you through that kind of snowpocalypse! As you said, nothing like coming home from a long day to a heavenly smell and dinner DONE in your slow cooker. This recipe is a keeper! Thank you, Mary Ann!
I LOVE slow cooker meals Marissa! Perfect for winter!
I saw the pictures of all the snow on TV . I hope the weather is improving. Bratwurst soup is right down my alley.
Hope you give it a try Gerlinde!
This is the perfect soup for these cold, snowy days! And yes, they don’t call it the Great White North for nothing ;) We didn’t get nearly that much in Ontario though. Thankfully, because I sure wouldn’t even know how to dig out from that!
Lol! I know, right?!
Can’t agree more with slow cooker meals, so satisfying and filling especially during the cold weather months. This recipe will definitely be added to the slow cooker list!
Hope you give it a go Kevin!
Mary Ann, this soup sounds so warm and cozy! My family loves anything with bratwurst so this is on my list! Thanks for the recipe and inspiration!
Hope you all enjoy it Laura!
I couldn’t believe the amount of snow that Leanne is/was getting!! MOUNDS of snow! Even coming from a Canadian, I was shocked! We definitely still need all the warm and cozy meals like this. Can’t go wrong with bratwurst!
It was CRAZY, wasn’t it? We love bratwurst too Katherine!
I saw this on Insta and immediately had a craving! We’ve had less than usual snow this year, although the severe cold is wanting to show its face! Thanks for this cozy meal!! Pinned!
Thanks so much for pinning Annie!
That snow was insane. So much so I had to reassure my other half that it wasn’t as bad where we are moving too! Although, even if it were, this soup would certainly be welcome. I love any German-inspired food, and I love a great slow cooker recipe. I’m pinning now for later!
This is definitely a cozy, comfort food winter soup Matt!
Can this be made in an instant pot?
Hi Alicia. I have only tested this recipe as is, not in the Instant Pot. I did finally grab an Instant Pot this holiday, so perhaps I’ll give it a go!