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Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Kielbasa is a delicious comfort food meal. With smoky kielbasa and tart sauerkraut, this easy slow cooker one-pot meal is a family favorite. This crock pot sauerkraut and kielbasa recipe is a keeper!
Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Kielbasa
Sauerkraut has been a favorite in our home for my entire life. Today’s recipe uses this tart and tasty ingredient with some smoky, flavorful kielbasa.
This is a pretty simple recipe that has great flavor, and it makes a lot. You can cut it in half if you like.
If you have never made sauerkraut before, this is a good recipe to try.
It is a “dump and go” recipe, unless you choose to sauté the onion and garlic in some butter.
Tips for the best slow cooker sauerkraut & kielbasa
• The level of tartness is up to you. Drain if you like some tartness. Drain and rinse if you like very little tartness.
• Sauté the onion and garlic in some butter to add more flavor.
• Use a smoked kielbasa for the best flavor.
• You can also use bacon, or other smoky pork.
• Try using beer or white wine in place of the water.
Crock Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas
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If you make this yummy crock pot sauerkraut and kielbasa recipe, please leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to know how you liked it!
This recipe for crock pot sauerkraut and kielbasa is super delicious, and I hope you love it as much as we do.
Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Kielbasa
Equipment
- 4 qt-6 qt slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 (32 oz) jar Sauerkraut, draining & rinsing is optional (don't drain if you like it tart)
- 2 lbs Kielbasa Smoked Sausage*, cut in 1 1/2" rounds
- 1 lg Apple, chopped
- 1 med Sweet Onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp Caraway Seeds
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Apple Cider, or Apple Juice (not vinegar)
- 1 cup Water, or beer (omit if NOT draining jar of sauerkraut)
- 1-4 Tbsp Brown Sugar (to taste)
Instructions
- Add the sauerkraut, kielbasa, apple, onion, caraway seeds, and garlic to the slow cooker crock. Stir.
- In a separate container mix together the apple cider, water, and brown sugar. Pour over the sauerkraut mixture.
- Cook on High for 4 hours, or Low for 6-7 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
RESOURCES TO MAKE this recipe and more
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Listen to recipe, crockpot everything together the whole time. I did not drain the kraut and got exactly what I was hoping for. Make some root veggies on the side to go with this excellent recipe! Easy!
At what point would you add pierogis? Should they cook the whole time?
I would add them with 1 hour to go if they are frozen. If they are refrigerated, 30 minutes before serving.
Tried this tonight and it was delicious. Thank you!!
Do you have to pre cook the kielbasa?
The kind I use is cooked/smoked.
Do you add potatoes with apple, or in substitute? Honestly the apple and cider kinda scare me. This is the only recipe I’ve found that call for that.
Yes, use both. Be sure to use apple cider and not apple cider vinegar! Use apple juice if you can’t find cider.
I made this tonight per the recipe. I did not sauté the onions and garlic and did use a cup of beer. I only drained the sauerkraut. It was delicious. My family loved it. There were no leftovers.
I have this in the crockpot now. I did a variation of it: no caraway seeds, apple chopped in half and the onion chopped in half, garlic cloves, on the bottom of the crockpot, kraut and kielbasa on the top.
Thank you for the recipe!
I have this in the crock pot now, I can’t wait to try it! I didn’t have any cider or juice so just used water. I also added a tbls of bacon grease.
This was so delicious it was gone in one day. I may double it next time.
Didn’t drain added one tablespoon brown sugar. Came out awesome! Tart with a hint of sweetness.
I wanted to like this in the worst way because my kids think sauerkraut is too sour but this was just purely sweet and nobody liked it. I’m sad because it took so much time. I don’t think it’s the apples itself as much as the apple cider.
I think also it could have been the brown sugar, which is to taste. Also, not draining the sauerkraut keeps it tart. You can really make this recipe work for you by making a couple of small adjustments.
Can you do this In the oven? Temp? How long?
Sure, 350° for about 40 minutes to about an hour (depending on the type of pot you are using, and how full it is). Check on it and stir halfway through.
I’m going to try this tonight! 🙂 I’m super glad the gentleman posted about the apple cider mishap, I would have done the same thing cause I too read it wrong! LoL🤦♀️ Anyhow….Thank you! Can not edit to try this.
I hope you like it!