Slow Cooker Cowboy Butter Sausage and Potatoes Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

If you prefer a slightly charred texture on your sausage, you can quickly sear the sausage coins in a hot skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This step is optional but adds an extra layer of depth to the flavor profile. Be sure to let the sausage cool slightly before adding it to the cooker to avoid premature melting of the butter.

To brighten the flavors right before serving, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a handful of chopped fresh parsley. These additions provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the butter and the savory notes of the sausage.

Always taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt if necessary, keeping in mind the salt content of the sausage.

Variations

• Spicy Cowboy Butter: Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture before pouring. This provides a gentle heat that complements the smokiness of the sausage and the earthy potatoes.
• Herb-Loaded Version: Incorporate a tablespoon of fresh rosemary and thyme into the butter sauce. The woody herbs add a sophisticated aromatic quality that pairs beautifully with the baby red potatoes.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Not recommended, as the potatoes will become mushy upon thawing.

Reheat

Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop until the sausage reaches 165°F (74°C).

Allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature for no more than two hours before transferring them to an airtight container. Properly stored, the dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days.

When reheating, ensure the sausage reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent the sauce from drying out.

You can prepare the ingredients in advance by chopping the potatoes and slicing the sausage, storing them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

When you are ready to cook, simply assemble the layers in the slow cooker as directed. Do not add the melted butter until just before you start the cooking cycle to maintain the best quality.

Serving ideas

Serve this dish directly from the slow cooker for a casual, family-style meal, or transfer the contents to a large platter to showcase the vibrant colors of the potatoes and sausage. The sauce is quite flavorful, so consider serving it alongside a crusty loaf of bread to soak up every drop of the garlic herb butter. This meal is hearty enough to be served on its own.

For a more complete dining experience, pair this dish with a crisp green salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette to balance the richness of the butter sauce.

The acidity of the greens complements the savory nature of the smoked sausage perfectly. Ensure you provide serving spoons that allow guests to scoop up both the solids and the flavorful butter sauce from the bottom of the dish.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Cowboy Butter Sausage and Potatoes

Prep 10 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 10 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into coins
• 1 lb baby red potatoes, halved
• 1 tbsp garlic paprika seasoning
• 1/2 cup cowboy butter, melted

Instructions

1. Arrange the sliced smoked sausage in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker insert to ensure uniform heating during the cooking process.
2. Place the halved baby red potatoes over the sausage layer. Evenly sprinkle the garlic paprika seasoning over the potatoes to distribute the flavors thoroughly throughout the dish.
3. Pour the cowboy butter over the potatoes and sausage. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours until the potatoes are tender and the sausage reaches 160°F (71°C).

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

18 g

Carbohydrates

22 g

Fat

28.5 g

Fiber

3 g

Sugar

1.5 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.