Slow Cooker Kielbasa With Sauerkraut and Apple

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 02/3/22
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 7 hrs
Total: 7 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Kielbasa and sauerkraut are a classic combination, and when sliced apples, brown sugar, and caraway seeds are added, and it's cooked slowly all day, the result is a sweet and sour dish that makes a nice family dinner.

Although sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) has a strong flavor, it is mellowed by rinsing and wringing out the sauerkraut to remove the brine; the apple and sugar also bring sweetness, balancing out the sour taste. This dish provides protein and vegetables for your meal, so all you need are some crusty rolls on the side.

Sauerkraut, Apples, and Sausage
Christine Wehrmeier/Moment/Getty Images
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound sauerkraut

  • 1 pound kielbasa, or similar smoked sausage

  • 3 to 4 thickly sliced tart apples 

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds, optional

  • 3/4 cup apple juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Rinse the sauerkraut and squeeze it dry to remove the brine. Place half of the sauerkraut in the slow cooker.

  3. Cut the sausage into 2-inch lengths. Place the sausage pieces in the slow cooker.

  4. Continue to layer the ingredients in the slow cooker in this order: the sliced apples, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and caraway seeds, if using.

  5. Top with the remaining sauerkraut. Pour the apple juice over all of the ingredients.

  6. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the apples are tender.

  7. Stir before serving and enjoy.

Tips

  • Refrigerate any leftovers in a sealed container so the aroma of the sauerkraut doesn't transfer to the other items in your refrigerator. You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave.
  • Vary the amount of sugar to suit your taste.

What is kielbasa?

Kielbasa, which means "sausage" in Polish, can be found in most supermarkets in the U.S. The smoked sausage is usually made with beef, pork, or turkey. Many of the smoked sausages available in the supermarket are precooked, so you will only be reheating the sausage in the slow cooker.

Stovetop Method

This slow cooker recipe is convenient for a make-ahead meal, but you can also cook it quickly in a skillet on your stovetop. Simmer the apples and sauerkraut together for 10 minutes, and then add the sausage, sugar, salt, and pepper. Heat through for about 5 minutes. It may not have the same depth of flavor as the slow cooker version, but it is a quick and easy method.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
609 Calories
34g Fat
61g Carbs
16g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 609
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g 44%
Saturated Fat 11g 56%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Sodium 2200mg 96%
Total Carbohydrate 61g 22%
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 47g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 51mg 256%
Calcium 113mg 9%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 818mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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