Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

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.


This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Hot Eats and Cool Reads may receive a small commission for Amazon purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!


Looking for more recipes, books, food and travel fun? Follow me!

FacebookPinterestInstagramTwitter, and Facebook Recipe Group!


Check out my kids recipes, crafts and activities at my other website, Sweet Hazel Honey!


CLICK TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER


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. If you're looking for another slow cooker sausage recipe, try these delicious Slow Cooker Curried Sausages!


Keep scrolling for tips, additional sauerkraut recipes and more! 


Thanks so much for supporting a small business and visiting our family owned blog 💕



Shopping list:



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


Recipe tips:

  • 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

  1. 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

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results I do due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 


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.



kielbasa and sauerkraut in a black slow cooker with recipe title text overlay.


Thanks so much for stopping by!


Recipes around this time in blog history....


One year ago:

Two years ago:

Three years ago:


Looking for more recipes, books, food and travel fun? Follow me!


FacebookPinterestInstagramTwitter, and Facebook Recipe Group!

Comments

  1. Yum! I love to throw this on a nice big bun with some mustard! And it's so easy to throw in the crockpot!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My mom used to make this all the time. I'd love it if you shared it with is at Keep It Cozy Crock Pot Week.

    Linda
    http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/keeping-cozy-with-crock-pot-week/

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds like a great comfort food dish!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Having lived in Wisconsin for 7 years, this reminds me of there so much!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I should make this for my aunt - she would LOVE it!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. My husband would looooove if I made him this - great recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  7. yup, that's NE Ohio comfort food too! So good. I usually add a little brown sugar to the kraut.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I know my husband would love this dish! you are right, great comfort food!

    ReplyDelete
  9. My husband has German heritage and he grew up eating sausage and sauerkraut. We've got a local German deli that has some really good, house made sauerkraut so now I'm inspired to give it a whirl. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks so good! I have some sauerkraut I need to use up, thanks for the great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh yum - I'm a huge sauerkraut fan! This looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great idea. I would put this on a bun with mustard. Seriously drooling over here. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I agree with Sarah. I would put it on a bun with mustard also. Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I will have to show my mom this recipe. :) Growing up, she used to force me to eat this, so I am not a fan to this day. But she would love this slow cooker version!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love kielbasa and sauerkraut....my mom makes it all the time! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I keep reading how great sauerkraut is for you. This is simple and looks tasty. Trying this recipe. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds simple. I don't usually eat sauerkraut, but had it in Poland this past year and really enjoyed it! I may have to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You can't beat a 2-ingredient recipe. This looks perfect for busy days, Sheena!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks yummy Sheena!! Hope you had a great lazy Saturday :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Can you use any kind of kielbasa or is there one that is recommended.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Stupid question am I using precooked kielbasa or fresh as I will be going to the polish store to purchase the kielbasa. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments make my day! Comment moderation is enabled, so if you don't see your comment right away, check back later after I approve it! :) Thanks so much for stopping by!