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Kielbasa and Sauerkraut served on a plate

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

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Enjoy a smoky kielbasa with tangy sauerkraut cooked in one skillet in just 30 minutes. The recipe focuses on browning the pre-cooked sausage properly and simmering sauerkraut with onions and apple for a comforting weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Eastern European

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb kielbasa sausage pre-cooked
  • 2 cups sauerkraut drained thoroughly
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 1 medium apple diced
  • 2 tablespoon butter or oil as dairy-free substitute
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds optional
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.25 cup broth or water for deglazing

Method
 

  1. Slice pre-cooked kielbasa into ½-inch rounds for even browning.
    1 lb kielbasa sausage
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown sliced kielbasa for 4-5 minutes until edges are golden and slightly crisp, flipping halfway through.
    1 lb kielbasa sausage
  3. Remove kielbasa from skillet. Add butter and sliced onions to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
    1 medium onion, 2 tbsp butter
  4. Add drained sauerkraut, minced garlic, caraway seeds (if using), black pepper, and browned kielbasa back to the pan. Stir to combine.
    2 cups sauerkraut, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp caraway seeds, 0.5 tsp black pepper, 1 lb kielbasa sausage
  5. Pour ¼ cup broth or water into the pan to deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Simmer everything together with the lid partially off over low heat for 8-10 minutes until sauerkraut softens.
    0.25 cup broth
  6. Stir in diced apple during the last 2-3 minutes of simmering to preserve its shape and add subtle sweetness.
    1 medium apple

Notes

  • Press sauerkraut in a colander 2-3 minutes to remove excess liquid for better sautéing.
  • Brown kielbasa carefully over medium heat to develop crisp edges without splitting casings.
  • Season at multiple stages, especially when sautéing onions and before serving, for deep layered flavors.

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