Kielbasa and Sauerkraut that Your Family Will Love!

Name: Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 – 12 ounce packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces; 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

Posted on May 2, 2026

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This Kielbasa and Sauerkraut comes together in about 10 minutes of prep time and is cooked all in one pot for a quick weeknight dinner that your family will love!

Ingredients for Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

2 – 12 ounce packages kielbasa sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces
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

Each of these ingredients plays a crucial role in giving this recipe its signature smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness. Kielbasa, with its rich, meaty flavor, is the star of the dish, while sauerkraut contributes that tangy crunch we all love. Not to forget the brown sugar, which beautifully balances the acidity, creating a symphony of taste. You can even play around with these ingredients based on what’s in your kitchen, maybe throw in some sliced bell peppers or even switch that apple juice for some chicken broth!

How to Make Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Start by slicing the kielbasa into bite-sized pieces. The aroma of the sausage alone is enough to get your mouth watering!
In your slow cooker, add the sliced kielbasa, sauerkraut, onion, and garlic. These ingredients blend together to create a flavorful base.
Sprinkle in the brown sugar and black pepper. We’re looking for that nice balance of savory and sweet, a couple pinches of salt and pepper wouldn’t hurt either!
Pour in the apple juice and stir everything together to ensure the ingredients are well mixed. You want to get those yummy bits mixed in!
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally. Just imagine coming home to a warm, hearty meal waiting for you!
Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. I usually add a bit more pepper because, you know, I love that kick!

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my mushroom stir fry, my Oven baked ribs, or my Shrimp and Corn Chowder!

What Makes This Recipe Special

Quick & Easy

This dish is a definite winner when it comes to time, comes together in under 10 minutes! With the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting, you can tackle those little things like homework with the kids, or maybe just sip a cup of tea while you let this beauty simmer away.

One Pot

Minimal cleanup required! I mean, who wants to scrub a mountain of dishes after dinner? With this meal, just your slow cooker and a cutting board to wash. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want to enjoy great food without the fuss.

Budget-Friendly

This recipe uses affordable, everyday ingredients. Kielbasa tends to be quite cost-effective, and with a can of sauerkraut and some basic pantry staples, you can feed a family without breaking the bank. Plus, it’s filling, so you won’t need to budget for extra sides.

Comfort Food

This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and is sure to warm you up on those chilly nights. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel good inside, a hug in a bowl, really!

Customizable

Use whatever ingredients you have! This dish is extremely forgiving and versatile. Swap out the kielbasa for turkey sausage, add in some sliced carrots or potatoes, or even toss in whatever leftover veggies from your fridge, this dish can handle it.

Serving Suggestions

This Easy Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut is fantastic served on its own, but if you want to take it up a notch, try serving it with some crusty bread or over a bed of mashed potatoes to soak up all those delicious juices. Oh, and a little Dijon mustard on the side? Yes, please!

How to Store Your Leftovers

This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days, just make sure it’s in an airtight container. When reheating, you can pop it back in the slow cooker on low, or heat it on the stovetop, stirring until warmed through.

Freezer Friendly

Absolutely! This meal freezes beautifully. Just store it in an airtight container, and it should last about 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above.

Bringing It All Together

There you go, my friends! This Easy Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut is the solution to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. It’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious! You can trust that your family will love it, just like mine does! Don’t forget to explore your pantry and fridge to see what else you can toss into this versatile dish, your creativity in the kitchen has no limits!

Happy cooking! And remember, food should always be fun and joyful, just like bringing people together around your table. So embrace the craziness, and happy cooking from my kitchen to yours! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.