Kielbasa and Sauerkraut (Stovetop Recipe) - Whole Lotta Yum (2024)

Published: Aug 8, 2023 · Modified: Mar 28, 2024 by WholeLottaYum · This post may contain affiliate links · Find our Privacy Policy here

Make a delicious one-pan stovetop kielbasa and sauerkraut recipe for dinner in less than 30 minutes! Combining Polish sausage and sauerkraut with buttery onions and garlic makes for a simple skillet dinner that's a Whole Lotta Yum!

Our stovetop kielbasa and kraut recipe is so good!

My grandmother was Polish, so we grew up eating a lot of kielbasa as a kid. She would often serve a creamy kielbasa and sauerkraut made with sour cream and grainy mustard or serve it like this recipe without the sour cream stirred in. Or we'd eat smoked kielbasa on a bun with kraut was always a childhood favorite.

What we love about this kielbasa and sauerkraut stovetop recipe is that is so quick and simple! We sometimes add brown sugar for sweetness and cook up diced apples along with the buttered onions and garlic. Caraway seeds add a nice touch too.

If you have kids, they will love this recipe if you add in the apples and stir in a bit of brown sugar or other sweetener! Perhaps rinse the kraut too since it makes it milder tasting.

• Our stovetop recipe is perfect for those nights when you need a simple and quick comfort food dinner.
• It's an inexpensive budget-friendly meal.
• The Polish sausage dish is easy to customize by adding in extras like sauteed apples, brown sugar, and caraway seeds.
• A healthy recipe that's low carb, gluten-free, and dairy free.

Ingredients you'll need

• Pork kielbasa smoked sausage - This is also called Polish sausage or Polska kielbasa. Turkey kielbasa works great too. Or even other types of meat like spicy sausage or even Italian sausage.
• butter
• olive oil
• yellow onion - red onion, white onion, or sweet onions are great to offset the sauerkraut flavor. We sliced the onions but it would be perfectly fine to dice onions instead.
• garlic cloves - minced
• sauerkraut - We bought shelf stable kraut on the shelf, you can also use fresh sauerkraut. Sauerkraut does have a sour yet pleasant taste, if it's too strong for you, it can be rinsed and well-dried before adding it to the pan.
• fine sea salt
• ground black pepper
• brown sugar (optional)

Variations

• To make a creamy mustard version, mix in ½-1 cup of sour cream and 1 tablespoon of mustard when you add the sauerkraut to the pan.
• Sliced cabbage can be used instead of sauerkraut, cook the cabbage with the onions instead of as a separate step.
• Add in other fruits and vegetables like chopped sweet apples or Granny smith apples, cooked diced potatoes, bell peppers, or mushrooms when you saute the onions.
• Dill or caraway seeds are popular Polish herbs and can be added for extra flavor.
• Drain the sauerkraut and add in ½ cup of beer or apple juice for a change of flavor.
• Mix in a little brown sugar to add a touch of sweetness.

How to cook kielbasa and sauerkraut on the stovetop

Step 1: Prep the ingredients. Slice the smoked kielbasa into ½-inch pieces. Slice the onions and mince the garlic.

Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat, and melt the butter and oil. Once the pan is heated, add the kielbasa and saute it for 7-9 minutes, until the pieces have browned and are cooked to golden brown. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Turn the pan down to medium-low and cook the sliced onion until softened and golden brown, which will take about 10 minutes. Do not let the onion burn. Add the minced garlic cloves and cook the mixture for 1 more minute.

Step 4: Add the drained sauerkraut to the skillet, along with the sea salt and black pepper. Add the smoked sausage back to the pan, and cook the kielbasa and sauerkraut for 6-8 more minutes until the sauerkraut mixture is warm and the smoked sausage is heated through.

Serve with Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard, fresh herbs like parsley or dill, sour cream, potatoes, egg noodles, or pierogies for a Polish-style meal, or serve the kielbasa and sauerkraut in a bun. Enjoy!

Jenn's tips

• If you want to lessen the sour taste of tangy sauerkraut you can rinse the brine off before adding it to the pan.
• If you're using a non-stick skillet, adding the butter and the olive oil to the pan can be skipped but still add a great flavor to the dish.
• For best results, refrain from stirring your sausage too frequently. Frequent stirring prevents it from browning thoroughly.
• To keep your sausage warm while you are heating the kraut, place them on a plate loosely covered with foil.
• Leftover kielbasa is great served on a bun with Dijon mustard or stuffed into a flatbread or pita bread.
• Our kielbasa and sauer recipe can also be cooked in a slow cooker on low heat for 4 hours or high heat for 2 hours. You can also bake it in a casserole dish on 350 F for 30+ minutes until heated through.

Serving ideas

• mustard
• sour cream
• roasted potatoes
• mashed potatoes
• egg noodles
• pieorgies
• in a bun
• with rye bread
• a fresh salad

Storage and leftovers

Store: Leftovers be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Sauerkraut can actually last for weeks in the fridge, but with the addition of sausage, it shortens the span to 5 days.
Freeze: The cooked dish can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Reheat: To reheat leftovers, add the contents to a saucepan or skillet or medium heat and cook it until heated through.

Should I rinse the sauerkraut before using it?

It is optional and a personal choice whether or not to rinse the kraut before using it in a recipe, the liquid in a sauerkraut jar is a salty vinegar brine that adds an extra sour taste to whatever recipe you’re serving it with.

When adding sauerkraut to a recipe we often will rinse it but when adding it to something like a hot dog, we do not. Some sauerkraut brands are more potent than others so that’s also a factor on whether or not you should rinse it.

More kielbasa recipes

• Air fryer kielbasa
• air fryer kielbasa and veggies
• Creamy keto kielbasa
• Cajun slow cooked kielbasa
• Crockpot kielbasa chili
• kielbasa recipes

Recipe