The delicious Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut combines the wonderful, smoky flavors of kielbasa sausage with tangy sauerkraut for an easy, one-pot meal that’s bursting with incredible flavor.

❤️ Why You’ll Love this Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe

• Quick and easy preparation
• Made with just a handful of ingredients
• Super flavorful
• Family friendly

You’re going to absolutely love walking in the house after a long day to this hearty and flavorful slow cooker meal. Other than chopping an onion and browning the kielbasa, all you have to do is mix everything together and let the crockpot do the rest of the work for you.

While this simple yet delicious meal it’s cooking away, something so wonderful happens. The tartness from the sauerkraut and apple cider vinegar soaks into the sausage, while the smoky flavor of the sausage is absorbed into sauerkraut and onions. It’s truly a flavor marriage made in heaven!

This recipe for sauerkraut and kielbasa is great served as a family meal, but it also makes the perfect Keto tailgate food! Slice the sausages up and serve with the sauerkraut on the side or add it to a low carb bun with one of your favorite Keto sides.

If you’re not a fan of sauerkraut but love quick and easy sausage recipes, try this Fried Cabbage with Sausage. It’s another awesome recipe that can be ready and on the dinner table in minutes.

🛒 What’s in Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

• Kielbasa
• Sauerkraut
• Chicken broth
• Yellow onion
• Brown monk fruit/allulose
• Country Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Slow Cooker
• Fine Mesh Sieve
• Measuring Cups

🔪 How to Make Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Heat a large skillet to medium and add in the olive oil and kielbasa.

Sauté until browned on all sides, then remove.

Tip: Don’t skip this step because you want the sausage to be nice and brown, which gives it more flavor.

Drain the sauerkraut, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid and pour it into a small mixing cup.

Add the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar and mustard to the cup and whisk to combine.

Add the sauerkraut to the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Add in the onions, brown sweetener, salt and pepper.

Pour the chicken broth mixture in, the top with the browned kielbasa.

Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours or low for 4-5 hours and serve.

What is Kielbasa Sausage?

Kielbasa is a Polish word that just means sausage. In Poland it can be smoked or cured and made with different types of meat like pork or veal. Most all kielbasa has ingredients like garlic, marjoram and other herbs, but it greatly depends on the brand you buy.

Some people confuse kielbasa with bratwurst because it has a similar subtle flavor, unlike chorizo or super spicy sausage. Bratwurst is typically made using ginger, sage, nutmeg to give it flavor and must be cooked before eating it. Kielbasa is cured which gives it a natural smoky flavor and also gives the skin a nice snap when you bite into it.  

Variations and Add-in’s

• Adjust the level of tartness to suit your personal preference. You can use less of the juice from the sauerkraut and more chicken broth. To really tame it down, you can also rinse the sauerkraut under cool water before adding it to the crockpot.

• Look for smoked kielbasa for this recipe. It has the most flavor and it goes really well with the other ingredients. You can use other sausages, like smoked pork sausage or even Italian sausage, if you can’t find kielbasa.

• If you want a dish with even more smoky flavor, you can add into some chopped up crispy bacon or throw in a ham hock while it’s slow cooking.

• You can add a little dry white wine in with the chicken broth for extra flavor.  

• Add a little kick of heat with a pinch of red pepper flakes. A little goes a long way, so be careful not to add too much.

Is Sauerkraut OK on Keto? Are there Carbs in Sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage that hosts many health benefits. The average brand has between 1-3 net carbs for an entire cup which makes it a perfect food for Keto or any low carb diet.

As always, be sure and read the label. Some brands will have added sugar. Look for brands that just list cabbage, vinegar, salt and water as ingredients.

What Goes Well with Sausage and Sauerkraut?

If you are serving a crowd and want some side dish options, here are some awesome low carb recipes you should consider:

• Cauliflower Potato Salad
• Creamed Spinach
• Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
• Broccoli and Bacon Salad
• Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

What Other Kind of Meat Goes with Sauerkraut?

There are many protein options you can serve with sauerkraut. Serve some on a sandwich on low carb bread with this yummy Chicken Salad or alongside a Grilled Steak or Pork tenderloin. Any main course that you would want a to serve a tangier version of cabbage with would be an awesome choice.

More Keto Slow Cooker Recipes

• Tuscan Chicken
• Chicken Soup
• Turkey Breast with Gravy
• Southern Green Beans
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• BBQ Meatballs