Skillet Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Ingredients

This recipe uses complementary ingredients to create a flavor-balanced meal:

• Kielbasa sausage immediately boosts the dish, giving a pork-based protein element with an impactful flavor.
• Onion caramelizes slightly in the oven, providing a vegetable base for the kielbasa and potatoes.
• Potatoes give a crispy component to the base of the dish, giving it a heftier presence.
• Butter coats the vegetables before roasting, boosting their flavor and giving them a slight caramelization.
• Paprika provides a slightly spicy taste that gives a deeper flavor to the base vegetables.
• Garlic powder gives the potatoes and onion a mild, tangy, seasoned flavor.
• Black pepper works with the other seasonings to provide a balanced vegetable spice mix.
• Kosher salt seasons the potatoes and onion, giving depth to the meal.
• Sauerkraut is a headliner in this dish, giving a tangy and slightly tart flavor with a nice texture. If you want to make your own sauerkraut, make sure to use my recipe for homemade sauerkraut!
• Whole-grain mustard brings excellent texture and deeper flavor to the dish without overpowering the other flavors as a Dijon mustard counterpart would.
• Honey provides a hint of natural sweetness and a smoother texture to the vegetables.
• Parsley provides a final garnishing hit, adding a green element to the meal.

The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

There are 3 easy steps to preparing this recipe:

Step 1: Brown the kielbasa – Cut the kielbasa into smaller, more manageable pieces. Place into an oven-safe skillet over low heat. Flip each piece when it begins to brown, cooking until slightly browned. Once heated, remove the kielbasa and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare the vegetables – Dice the onion and cut the potato into ½-inch bite-sized pieces. Add the butter to the same skillet where the kielbasa was cooked and let it melt. Place in the onion and potatoes, and toss them in the butter. Season with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, and place into a 400°F oven for 18-22 minutes until the potatoes become tender.

Step 3: Add the sauerkraut – Place the sauerkraut in the pan with the potatoes and the onion. Add in the whole-grain mustard and honey. Stir until evenly combined, then spread into an even layer. Nestle the kielbasa over top. Place back into the 400°F oven for 10-14 minutes until the dish is warmed. Serve warm and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Recipe Tips

• Cast iron skillets work great for this dish. They are oven-safe and provide a small amount of additional flavoring and iron to any meal.
• Browning the kielbasa first brings out additional flavor to the dish while adding a bit of a crisp exterior to the meat.

Variations and Substitutions

There are a few ways to alter this dish based on what’s available to you:

• Cabbage can be used in place of sauerkraut. It will not have as much flavor but will provide a similar textural element.
• Other vegetables like bell peppers or green beans pair well with the different elements in the dish.
• Boost the sweetness by adding apples or brown sugar to the dish. If you want a sweeter version, check out my recipe for kielbasa with cabbage and apple.
• Add a small amount of liquid to the dish for the final roast. Beer, chicken broth, and apple juice are great, flavorful options.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Weeknight Dinner Recipes

• Skillet cabbage and sausage
• Greek-inspired tacos
• Sheet pan sausage with roasted vegetables
• Skillet sausage with white beans and kale
• Portobello mushroom pizzas
• Jamaican-style pork tenderloin
• If you’re into preserving, make sure to check out my fermentation guide and how to make homemade sauerkraut.