Lightly brown the sausages: In a large skillet over medium heat, quickly brown the sausages on all sides, about 5 minutes total. You don’t need to cook them through; you just want some color and a bit of caramelization. This step adds flavor but can be skipped if you’re really short on time.
Render the bacon: In the same skillet, add the thick-cut bacon pieces and cook for 3–4 minutes, just until some of the fat starts to render and the edges begin to turn golden. You don’t need them crispy—just lightly browned. Turn off the heat and set the skillet aside.
Sausages and bacon browning in a skillet
Prep the slow cooker base: Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, spreading them out evenly. Top with half of the sliced onions. Sprinkle with a little black pepper if using.
Add the meats: Scatter half of the partially cooked bacon pieces over the onions. Arrange all of the browned sausages on top in a single layer, nestling them in so they sit fairly snugly among the potatoes and onions.
Finish layering: Add the remaining onions over the sausages, then the rest of the bacon. Finish with the remaining sliced potatoes on top, spreading them out so they mostly cover the surface. This helps the top layer steam and become tender.
Layered Dublin coddle ingredients in a slow cooker before cooking
Add liquid: Carefully pour 1 to 1.5 cups of hot water down the side of the slow cooker so you don’t disturb the layers too much. The liquid should come about halfway up the contents; the vegetables and meats will release more juices as they cook and create a light, savory broth.
Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender, the onions are soft and translucent, and the sausages are cooked through. The bacon will be soft and the whole mixture should be cozy and stew-like with a light broth.
Cooked Dublin coddle inside the slow cooker
Finish and serve: Taste the broth and add a little more black pepper if you like. Gently scoop down into the slow cooker so each serving gets a bit of sausage, bacon, potatoes, onions, and broth. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve hot straight from the slow cooker.
Variations & Tips
For a slightly richer broth, you can swap half of the water for low-sodium chicken broth while still keeping the ingredient list very simple. If you can’t find Irish-style bangers, use any mild, good-quality pork sausages (avoid heavily seasoned or spicy ones so you stay close to the traditional flavor).
A bowl of Dublin coddle with bread on the side
For meal prep, you can brown the sausages and bacon and slice the potatoes and onions the night before; store everything in the fridge in separate containers, then just layer into the slow cooker in the morning. If you prefer a thicker, less brothy coddle, reduce the water slightly and keep the lid on the slow cooker the whole time so the steam doesn’t escape.
To stretch the meal for a bigger family, add an extra potato or two and a few more sausages—just make sure your slow cooker isn’t filled past about three-quarters full. Leftovers reheat really well on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water to loosen the broth, making this a great make-ahead option for busy weekdays after a long day at work.
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