Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Kielbasa

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 02/9/22
Sweet and Sour Kielbasa

Diana Rattray / The Spruce Eats

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings

Kielbasa has long been a favorite sausage for meals and appetizers, and it's an excellent protein choice for the crock pot. Kielbasa is sometimes called Polish sausage, and it is available in most grocery stores. Smoked kielbasa is the most common variety, and available in most markets. You might find uncured and fresh kielbasa in stores that specialize in Polish or Eastern European food. 

This is a simple and budget-friendly recipe for kielbasa, slow-cooked with pineapple chunks and a tangy vinegar and brown sugar sauce. Use smoked (or uncured) pork, turkey, or beef kielbasa in this recipe. Feel free to add about 1/2 cup of thinly sliced carrot or chunks of celery to the slow cooker along with the bell pepper. Or cut up an extra red or orange bell pepper. For a spicier sauce mixture, add a teaspoon or more of Asian chili sauce (sambal oelek) or add a small minced hot chili pepper.

Serve the kielbasa, pineapple, and vegetables with hot boiled rice. Add a side of Asian slaw for a fabulous dinner.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks

  • 2 pounds kielbasa

  • 1 large onion

  • 1 bell pepper

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Place a sieve or colander over a bowl and drain the pineapple, reserving the juice.

  2. Put the pineapple chunks in the slow cooker and set the juice aside.

  3. Cut kielbasa into 1-inch to 2-inch lengths.

  4. Peel the onion and cut it into quarters. Cut the onion quarters crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

  5. Cut the bell pepper into 1-inch chunks.

  6. Add the kielbasa pieces to the slow cooker along with the onion and bell pepper.

  7. To the bowl with the reserved juice, add the cornstarch and stir the mixture until smooth. Add the vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar; stir to blend.

  8. Pour the juice mixture over the kielbasa.

  9. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

Tips

  • Some suitable substitutes for kielbasa include smoked Spanish chorizo, spicy andouille sausage, linguisa, or linguica. Or make the recipe with hot dogs, gourmet smoked sausage, or brats.
  • For appetizer servings, thread chunks of kielbasa, pineapple, onion, and bell pepper onto toothpicks or small skewers. Add the skewered sausage appetizers to the slow cooker with the sauce and cook as directed. Offer guests plates and napkins and serve the appetizers hot from the crockpot.
  • The dish is a good one to take along to a potluck dinner or tailgating party. Just cook the kielbasa as directed and then wrap the crock pot in newspapers or blankets to keep it hot while transporting. Plug the crock pot in when you get to the party or dinner. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
474 Calories
34g Fat
29g Carbs
15g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 474
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g 43%
Saturated Fat 11g 56%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Sodium 1272mg 55%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 45mg 223%
Calcium 71mg 5%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 509mg 11%
*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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