a meaty chili with a German touch and a little bite.
| Prep Time: | 25 mins |
| Cook Time: | 5 hrs 20 mins |
| Total Time: | 5 hrs 45 mins |
| Servings: | 14 |
| Yield: | 14 servings |
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds fresh bratwurst links, cut into 1-inch slices
- 2 tablespoons bacon drippings, divided
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups sauerkraut, drained
- 2 (15 ounce) cans red beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (15 ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (12 fluid ounce) cans tomato juice
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle German-style beer
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 ½ ounces milk chocolate candy
Instructions
- Place the bratwurst into a large skillet with 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings over medium heat; cook and stir the bratwurst until the pieces are browned and no longer pink inside, about 15 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Place remaining 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in a large, deep pot over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion, green and jalapeno peppers, and garlic until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Place the bratwurst into the pot with the vegetables, and stir in the sauerkraut, red beans, petite diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice, beer, salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder, sugar, garlic powder, paprika, allspice, and oregano.
- Bring the chili to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and stir in the milk chocolate until melted and dissolved. Simmer for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 433 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 36 g |
| Cholesterol | 50 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 8 g |
| Protein | 17 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Sodium | 2223 mg |
| Sugars | 14 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
My husband loved this recipe. It was an easy slow cooker meal.
Needed an Oktoberfest recipe for a party. So glad I chose this one. I loved this spin on chili. I made it as directed and it was delicious. Got lots of compliments from the guests. Will definitely keep and make again.
This chili was really different, tasted mellower the next day. It’s very rich. Very good. I used half hot dogs and half brats (what I had) and 2 cans of tomato sauce, 1 can of diced tomatoes. That’s all the tomatoes my crockpot had room for. I didn’t have any chocolate candy, so used cocoa powder, about a tablespoon. I can see why this recipe has won ribbons!
We made as is, but it was merely OK, and we won’t be making it again. The sauerkraut combined with all the tomatoes made the underlying acidity too strong. It’s certainly an original recipe, but not for us.
Tastes great! I added sausage and ground beef to it as well.
I made this but omitting the sauerkraut, tomato juice, tomato sauce and white sugar. I added black beans and chopped bacon. I cooked it in my crockpot for 5 hours. ??
its still on the stove so haven’t tried it yet. Am I the only one who missed the chocolate part? didn’t see it in the ingredients list at all! how much? what kind?
Loved this strange but delicious chili! I’m German and really enjoy sauerkraut and brats. Also like a good chili so what the heck, cooked this up! My husband said it was the best chili he ever had! I’m a little with a few reviewers that mentioned too much tomato taste… next time I’ll delete some tomatoes or add more chocolate and beer
I’m just a beginner when it comes to cooking and made this quite easily. So if you are having any doubts, don’t fret, you can do it. And my oh my! This is the best thing I have made so far and it turned out magnificently. The best chili I’ve ever had. I followed the recipe precisely except I left out a half pound of brats. I will be making this again and again – hopefully when I have guests but I’m on day 3 of leftovers for myself and its still every bit as good. Enjoy!
Although I was very skeptical of the ingredients I followed the recipe as written (including the chocolate). I have to say I got rave reviews and this one is a keeper-as is. I did halve the bratwurst after slicing just so it would be more even throughout the dish. As preference I doubled the jalapenos to four (it is chili). I also reduced tomatoes just so it would fit in a crockpot (No tomato juice) and I used more diced tomatoes instead of the sauce-we prefer a chunkier chili). Not sure if the bacon grease is necessary, but the cooked bacon makes a delicious snack while you are preparing the rest of the dish 🙂 Almost didn’t add allspice either ($7 in the baking aisle) but found in the ethnic aisle for $3. I used all the seasonings as listed both times I made it. NO complaints-great recipe!
Hearty and different. If you like sauerkraut, you will enjoy this.
Awesome chili! The only thing I changed was to chop the sauerkraut into small bits. All the flavor with no long strings.
Took the advice in the reviews and substantially decreased the tomato content. I also removed the sausage meat from the casings and sauteed it like that. It came out very nice, although I am not sure that it is different enough from regular chili that I will make it again.
I made it as listed except doubled the minced garlic, cut down on salt by about 1/2, used maple syrup for the sugar and used semi-sweet chocolate – It definitely needs to cook for 5 or more hours (covered or it will get to thick) to dissipate the acidity. It is good but as another reviewer suggested can cause heartburn if eaten straight. I suggest using it for chili dogs with some mustard- it was delicious on hotdogs and didn’t give me heartburn. I am sure it will make good chili fries also.
Made a few minor changes according to our tastes and what I had on hand, but otherwise followed directions. My oh so German husband loved it. Combined the best of both worlds for him – American chili and German brats with sauerkraut. I loved it too and normally I am not a big chili fan.
Made a few minor changes according to our tastes and what I had on hand, but otherwise followed directions. My oh so German husband loved it. Combined the best of both worlds for him – American chili and German brats with sauerkraut. I loved it too and normally I am not a big chili fan.
This recipe was absolutely wonderful, I thought it sounded odd, I cut in half due to a small household and it turned out amazing, will definitely make again…and again!
We love it! We follow this recipe exactly and it turns out so good! Word of advice, don’t use a dark beer. It makes the chili a little too bitter. We’ve made this a few times, and like to try different micro brews. Get a nice crusty bread and this is a delicious meal.
I think this is the best chili I have ever had. My boyfriend liked it better than any that we have made, but didn’t consider it the best ever. Delicious, worked as leftovers and we ate all of it.
This turned out really well. I entered it in a small chili contest and won 2nd place! I followed directions exactly as stated.
Delicious!! So good, I’m making it for a pot luck lunch. I’m sure everyone will love it!