Name: Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 5 min
Ingredients: 2 - 12 ounce packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 2 inch pieces (we used beef); 1 - 14.5 ounce can sauerkraut with juices; 1 medium onion, thinly sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup apple juice

Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

January 10, 2015

This Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut is such a hearty comfort food dinner. It's budget friendly, quick to prep and the crock pot does all the work for you!

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut in a black slow cooker with a blue napkin on the side.

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Kielbasa and Sauerkraut on a blue and gray floral plate with spinach on the side.

This recipe was photographed and updated 2/2023.

When researching about kielbasa, I came across a number of conflicting bits of information. What I do know is that even though it has been around for ages, it wasn't until approximately 200 years ago that the word kielbasa was even introduced by the Polish.

Because it translates into 'sausage', and with there being over 100 different types of kielbasa (breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, hunter's sausage, etc...), America is one of the few places that a person can walk into a store and say they are looking for kielbasa or polish kielbasa and get the same thing. Almost anywhere else, especially in Poland, the request for kielbasa is like asking for sausage in general and has to include descriptive terms to help identify which of the different types is wanted.

Just like kielbasa, sauerkraut has been around much longer than it's name.

While the term is German, this 'sour cabbage' actually originated more than 2,000 years ago in China. Thanks to the travels of Mongolian soldiers, the recipe found its way to eastern Europe. Lacking the supplies for the exact ingredients taught by Mongolian soldiers, substitutions were made.

Those substitutions lead to the version we have today. A version that is rich in vitamins and fiber and considered a superfood. It has been known to improve digestion, skin, immune systems, heart health, and even boost energy levels.

With both kielbasa and sauerkraut having a longer shelf life than their raw counterparts, it's no wonder the two were put together and enjoyed in this Slow Cooker Kielbasa dinner. It's budget friendly, quick to prep, and the crock pot does all the work for you. With simple ingredients like apple juice and brown sugar, this sausage and sauerkraut meal is great for busy weeknights.

This stuff is amazing! During the fall, we prefer to use beef kielbasa rather than pork. Either way, it is such a hearty meal when served with some buttery mashed potatoes. When I photographed this recipe, we served it with a spinach salad, which was a perfect pair as well.

With it's savory, smoky, and tangy flavors; mixed with a touch of sweetness from the apple juice and brown sugar. It's hard to believe that this meal only takes 5 minutes to prep and is so easy to throw in the slow cooker.

It's one of the most simple comfort food meals especially during the cold winter days when you want to feel warm and full.

Keep scrolling for tips, additional sauerkraut recipes and more!

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Shopping list:

kielbasa sausage (we used beef)
sauerkraut with juices
onion
garlic
brown sugar
black pepper
apple juice

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for measurements and instructions!

Recipe tips:

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.

Our apple juice was not sweet, so we added 2 tablespoons brown sugar. If you have a sweet apple juice, you may want to reduce it to 1 tablespoon.

kielbasa and sauerkraut in a black slow cooker with a tongs grabbing some.

More sauerkraut recipes you might like:

You can add or substitute with these ingredients:

use beer instead of apple juice
use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic
use maple syrup instead of brown sugar
add thinly sliced apples
add diced bell pepper

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut on a plate with spinach on the side.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!

close up of kielbasa and sauerkraut with a blue background.

Yield 6 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

5 Min

Cook time

6 Hour

Total time

6 H & 5 M

Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Ingredients

2 - 12 ounce packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 2 inch pieces (we used beef)
1 - 14.5 ounce can sauerkraut with juices
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup apple juice

Instructions

Place all ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, stirring halfway through to combine.

Notes

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.

Our apple juice was not very sweet, so we added 2 tablespoons brown sugar. If you have a sweet apple juice, you may want to reduce it to 1 tablespoon.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

395.87

Fat

28.09 g

Sat. Fat

12.02 g

Carbs

21.25 g

Fiber

2.46 g

Net carbs

18.79 g

Sugar

12.98 g

Protein

12.36 g

Sodium

1590.45 mg

Cholesterol

60 mg

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You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.