• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • All About Jenny
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Kitchen Skip
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Jenny
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Beef and Pork

    Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

    Published: Feb 9, 2023 by Jenny

    Jump to Recipe
    cooked sauerkraut, kielbasa and onion in a skillet

    The best way to cook kielbasa and sauerkraut is in a skillet. Why? Because it's fast and easy! Only one dish gets dirty and it's easy to turn sauerkraut, kielbasa, caramelized onion and a splash of cider into delicious and flavorful comfort food.

    this recipe

    Sauerkraut and kielbasa is classic Polish comfort food that's also found in other Eastern European countries. It's a simple but really flavorful meal that combines savory sausage and sour cabbage into a hearty family dinner.

    My German grandma often made something similar, although she usually included potatoes. I often serve roasted potatoes as a side dish for this meal, but my family also really likes buttered Instant Pot egg noodles.

    At my house, egg noodles turn sausage and sauerkraut into a more kid-friendly meal.

    Other side dishes for this recipe include slices of good bread with cheese and mustard or Instant Pot mashed potatoes.

    Also, my bowl of kielbasa and sauerkraut always has a dollop of sour cream on top!

    If you like kielbasa, another dinner that you'll love is sheet-pan kielbasa, cabbage and potatoes with dill vinaigrette.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • More hearty family dinner recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Kielbasa - Use your favorite brand, whether it's made from pork or turkey. Every brand has a different flavor; some are very smoky, some are slightly sweet and some are spicy.

    Sauerkraut -  Sauerkraut is shredded and fermented cabbage. For this recipe, I buy a large jar (32 ounces) of pasteurized sauerkraut. It is more affordable and can be slightly less pungent and tangy than raw sauerkraut, which is usually found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. You can use either pasteurized or raw; It's best to use a brand that you've tried before and like because the flavor of the sauerkraut is a huge part of this dish.

    Onion - Not all recipes for sauerkraut and kielbasa add onion. However, I always add onion. Caramelized onion adds more flavor to the dish and balances out the sour flavor of the sauerkraut.

    Butter - This is a recipe that needs salted butter; olive oil just won't do! Using oil just makes the dish seem greasy, but butter adds rich, salty flavor that is perfect with cabbage.

    Hard Cider - Adding a splash of hard cider is optional, but I like the touch of fruity sweetness that it brings to the dish. The leftover hard cider is also the perfect beverage to pair with this meal! You can substitute regular apple cider if you like, which is sweeter than hard cider. Some recipes add a spoonful of brown sugar instead.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Saute sliced kielbasa. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

    Step 2: Saute onion in butter.

    hard cider simmering in a skillet with cooked onion

    Step 3: Add hard cider and simmer rapidly for 2 minutes.

    Step 4: Drain the jar of sauerkraut. If you'd like to mellow the sour flavor, rinse it in cold water then squeeze out excess moisture.

    Step 5: Mix the sauerkraut into the skillet. Saute for a few minutes to cook off moisture.

    slices of kielbasa in a skillet of sauerkraut

    Step 6: Add the kielbasa back to the skillet. Cook 5 minutes more to reheat the sausage. Done!

    Hint: Fresh dill or parsley is a perfect garnish for this dish!

    a bowl of sausage and sauerkraut

    Variations

    There are several different ingredients you can add to change the flavor of this dish.

    • Sauté thinly sliced apple with the onions
    • Sauté grated carrot with the onion
    • Add caraway seeds
    • Add poppy seeds
    • Add red pepper flakes for spice
    • Melt Swiss cheese over the top of the dish before serving

    Storage

    This recipe will keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. It tastes best when served warm. To re-heat, use the microwave or gently re-heat in a skillet on the stove.

    FAQ

    Do I have to use kielbasa?

    You can actually use any type of pre-cooked sausage for this recipe.

    What exactly is kielbasa?

    In Polish, the word "kielbasa" simply means sausage. So there are actually many types of kielbasa, not just the type of pre-cooked kielbasa that is sold most often in American grocery stores. For more information, read my recipe How to Cook Kielbasa.

    Is kielbasa already cooked?

    In American grocery stores you'll almost exclusively find pre-cooked kielbasa. For food safety reasons, it’s recommended that kielbasa always be heated before serving. On some kielbasa packages you’ll see the simple instructions, “Heat and Eat.”

    What's the difference between raw and pasteurized sauerkraut?

    Sauerkraut means "sour cabbage" and is made by fermenting cabbage. It's often thought of as an Eastern European or German invention, but food historians have evidence that fermented cabbage was first made in China and then made its way to Europe.

    Raw sauerkraut has healthy probiotic bacteria. Pasteurized has been heat-treated and is shelf-stable. The flavor is usually similar, but raw often has a tangier, bolder flavor.

    Do I have to slice the kielbasa?

    I like to slice the kielbasa because it's easier to eat, especially for kids. It also heats up faster. However, you can cut it into larger 3-inch pieces if you like.

    Does this recipe make you hungry?
    SUBSCRIBE
    to the Kitchen Skip newsletter
    for helpful tips, easy recipes
    & good conversation

    More hearty family dinner recipes

    • bowl of pulled pork
      Instant Pot Pork Butt
    • bowl of homemade hamburger helper
      Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
    • bowl of shredded chicken
      Instant Pot Jerk Chicken
    • Crockpot Beef and Broccoli with carrots in a bowl
      Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
    Print

    📖 Recipe

    Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe

    cooked sauerkraut, kielbasa and onion in a bowl
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    The best and easiest way to cook kielbasa and sauerkraut is in a skillet. Only one dish gets dirty and the combination of sauerkraut, kielbasa, caramelized onion and a splash of cider is delicious and flavorful comfort food. 

    I like to serve this dish with sour cream and egg noodles on the side. You can also serve it with roasted or mashed potatoes. 

    • Author: Jenny - Kitchen Skip
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
    • Category: beef and pork
    • Method: skillet
    • Cuisine: Polish

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 kielbasa* (12 to 16 ounces each), cut into ¼-inch slices
    • 2 tablespoons salted butter, divided
    • 1 onion, thinly sliced
    • ½ cup hard cider
    • One 28-ounce or 32-ounce jar of sauerkraut, drained and rinsed with cold water. Squeeze out excess moisture.
    • Optional: chopped fresh dill or parsley for garnish

    *You can also make this recipe using just one kielbasa. I like cooking two because you get a nice balance of sausage and sauerkraut. Cooking only one kielbasa means you'll have quite a bit more cabbage than kielbasa. 

    Instructions

    1. In a 12-inch (or slightly larger) skillet or saute pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium- high heat. 
    2. Add the kielbasa slices. Cook the slices until nicely browned on each side, 4 to 5 minutes total. If the sausage starts to get too brown, turn the heat down to medium.
    3. Take the sausage out of the skillet and set aside. 
    4. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the onion. Saute until the onion is soft and deeply browned, about 10 minutes total. For the first 5 minutes cook the onion over medium heat, then turn the heat down to low so the onion can caramelize without burning.
    5. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the cider. Simmer 2 minutes. 
    6. Add sauerkraut. Mix really well to combine the sauerkraut and onion. Cook for about 5 minutes. 
    7. Add the kielbasa back to the skillet. Cook for a few minutes more to heat the sausage, stirring several times. 
    8. Serve immediately, with fresh herbs on top.

     

    Notes

    Regular apple cider can be substituted for the hard cider. Or you can skip this ingredient completely. 

    Rinsing the sauerkraut in cold water is optional, but it mellows the sour flavor. 

    Oven-Baked Instructions

    There is no need to brown the sausage first. Just combine all of the ingredients in a casserole dish. Cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. 

    Keywords: kielbasa and sauerkraut, kielbasa recipe,

    Please rate and review this recipe!

    Your reviews help other readers. They also help me provide the best recipes possible. Thanks!

    More Delicious Recipes

    • a bowl of sliced kielbasa with roasted potatoes and purple cabbage
      Kielbasa and Cabbage & Potatoes with Dill Vinaigrette
    • sliced kielbasa sausage in a skillet
      How to Cook Kielbasa
    • bowl of pork adobo
      Instant Pot Pork Adobo
    • plate of shredded pork shoulder
      Cider-Braised Pork

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Jenny

      February 09, 2023 at 2:25 pm

      Easy, fast and very flavorful!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Hi, I'm Jenny!
    Mama of two, professional recipe developer, optimist, lover of buttered toast and steaming hot mugs of coffee. I'm here to help you get dinner on the table! Learn More About Me…

    Yummy Salads

    • bowl of macaroni salad with chicken and herbs
      Macaroni Salad with Chicken
    • a bowl of chicken salad with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and croutons
      BLT Chicken Salad with Creme Fraiche Dressing
    • a bowl of kale slaw with sliced apples, pecans and poppy seeds
      Kale Apple Slaw with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
    • bowl of broccoli slaw with honey mustard dressing
      Broccolini Slaw with Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing

    Instant Pot Chicken

    • bowl of sliced chicken breast, potatoes and carrots
      Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts with Potatoes & Carrots
    • a bowl of chicken breast and white rice soup
      Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
    • bowl of cooked white rice with shredded carrot topped with sliced chicken thighs
      Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice
    • A bowl of Filipino chicken adobo made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs
      Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

    Watch My Web Stories

    Welcome to Kitchen Skip


    Hi, I’m Jenny!
    Recipe developer, writer and Mama of two. I’m here to help answer the never-ending question, what’s for dinner?
    On Kitchen Skip you’ll find easy dinner recipes for busy parents who want to eat well without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Footer

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP
    for easy dinner recipes

    Let's Get Social!
    Instagram
    Pinterest

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

    ^ back to top

    Images and text copyright Jenny Meier in 2022. Do not repost images or recipes without requesting permission

    Copyright © 2022 on the Foodie Pro Theme

    We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

    You can find out more about which cookies we are using by reading our privacy policy.

    Kitchen Skip
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.