How to Make Authentic Scottish Sausage Stovies in a Slow Cooker

Sausage stovies are a traditional Scottish dish that is hearty, comforting and easy to make. This recipe shows you how to create authentic sausage stovies in a slow cooker for maximum flavor and minimal effort.

What are Sausage Stovies?

Stovies are a type of stew that is popular in Scotland. The main ingredients are potatoes, onions, and sausage. Traditional recipes call for lamb or beef sausage, but you can use any kind of sausage you prefer.

The potatoes are cut into chunks and cooked slowly with the onions and sausage until they form a thick, creamy stew. The low, slow cooking softens the potatoes and melds all the flavors together.

Why Make Stovies in a Slow Cooker?

While stovies can be made on the stovetop, using a slow cooker makes the process even easier. The gentle, constant heat produces perfectly tender potatoes and onions in a rich, flavorful sauce.

Cooking stovies in a slow cooker also allows you to prep everything in advance. Just throw the ingredients in the cooker in the morning and dinner is ready when you get home!

Using a slow cooker also frees up your stovetop and oven for cooking other dishes if making a larger meal

Tips for Making Sausage Stovies in a Slow Cooker

Follow these tips for easy, authentic sausage stovies made in the slow cooker:

Use waxy potatoes. Waxy potatoes like red or Yukon gold hold their shape better during long cooking. Starchy russets will easily break down into mush.
Cut the potatoes chunky. Cut them into 1-2 inch chunks so they don’t overcook.
Sauté the onions first. Sautéing the onions until golden brown adds flavor.
Brown the sausage. Browning adds richness and color.
Use bone-in sausage Bone-in sausage simmers longer and adds more flavor Remove bones before serving.
Add enough liquid. The liquid level should just cover the potatoes. Add broth or water if needed.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours. The long cooking results in ultra tender potatoes and deeply flavored stew.
Stir in milk or cream. For a creamy sauce, stir in milk, cream or creme fraiche at the end.
Season to taste. Add more salt, pepper or herbs if desired after cooking.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Slow Cooker Sausage Stovies

Follow these simple steps for authentic Scottish stovies done in the slow cooker:

Ingredients:

3 lbs waxy potatoes, cut into 1-2 inch chunks
1 large onion, diced
8 oz button mushrooms, sliced (optional)
1 lb bone-in pork or lamb sausage
3 cups beef or chicken broth
1⁄4 cup milk or heavy cream (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the sausage and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Add the onion to the skillet. Sauté for 5 minutes until starting to caramelize. Add mushrooms if desired and sauté 3 minutes more.
Place the potato chunks in the slow cooker and top with the cooked onion and mushrooms.
Nestle the browned sausages into the potatoes. Pour the broth over the top.
Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours.
Remove sausage bones and cut sausage into bite size pieces.
Stir in milk or cream if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

More Delicious Ways to Enjoy Stovies:

Top with grated cheddar cheese for extra richness.
Fry up some chopped bacon and sprinkle over the top.
Add other vegetables like carrots, turnips or celery.
Ladle stovies over mashed potatoes for an easy shepherd’s pie.
For breakfast, top with a fried egg.

With simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make comforting, hearty sausage stovies for your family. The sausage and potatoes meld together during the long cooking into a delicious, creamy stew. Enjoy this classic Scottish dish!

Authentic Traditional Scottish Sausage Stovies (slow cooker recipe)

FAQ

Can you make stovies without onions?

Veggies – You can certainly add the veggies you prefer, below are our favorites! Potatoes – Yukon gold is our preference because they are creamy and delicious in Stovies, but Russets or red potatoes would also be delicious. Onions – No hearty stew is complete without onions.

What are stovies made of?

Stovies (also stovy tatties, stoved potatoes, stovers or stovocks) is a Scottish dish based on potatoes. Recipes and ingredients vary widely but the dish contains potatoes, fat, usually onions and often pieces of meat. In some versions, other vegetables may also be added.

How to use a slow cooker for meat?

You can add beef to the slow cooker without browning. Searing it in a hot pan to create a caramelised crust is not necessary but can make a richer flavour. Simply add the meat to your slow cooker with aromatics, stock and sauces and cook either on High for 4-5 hours or on Low for 5-8 hours.

How long do stovies last in the fridge?

Stovies will keep for several days, covered, in the refrigerator. Some people say it’s best the day after you make it. You can also freeze stovies in freezer-safe containers. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove, or simply thaw and reheat in the microwave.

How to cook sausage Stovies in a slow cooker?

For sausage stovies, start by sautéing your diced onions in butter in the slow cooker and seasoning with parsley. Then add any leftover veggies or meat chunks and mix well. Slow cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 3.5 hours. Next, add tomato puree, seasoning, frozen peas and frozen sweetcorn to the mix and stir well.

How do you cook Stovies in a slow cooker?

Sprinkle the salt and stock cube over potato-onion mixture in the slow cooker and stir. Add the cold water and put on the lid. Cook on High for 1 15 minutes hour and then on Low for 1 hour 15 minutes. Beat the stovies lightly with a wooden spoon to break up the edges of the potatoes and combine the flaovurs.

Can you cook Scottish Stovies in a slow cooker?

Here are some more examples of Scottish stovies that you can try at home in your slow cooker: Vegan Stovies – Swap the beef dripping for vegetable fats and then load up the potatoes and onions with root veggies. You can also do similar if you want vegetarian stovies.

Can you make Stovies with sausage?

Many people swear by making their Stovies with sausage. This could be sliced sausages, sausage meat, or cut up square sausage ( Lorne Sausage – recipe here ). You can add these at the beginning just after the onions to allow some of the fat to come out and flavour the dish.