Table of Contents
  1. Why I Love this Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe
  2. Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Ingredients
  3. How to Make Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
  4. Pro Tips for Success
  5. Variations and Substitutions
  6. Serving and Storage
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. More Weeknight Dinner Recipes
  9. Watch How to Make This Recipe
  10. Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
  11. Skillet Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe

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Skillet kielbasa and sauerkraut is the ultimate cozy meal for any day of the week. It’s a one-pan dish that has a mix of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors, all wrapped up in hearty, feel-good vibes. Perfectly warm and satisfying, it’s comfort food done right!

Kaleb Wyse standing in front of light gray background with black t-shirt.

Why I Love this Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe

I’ve always loved recipes that bring a sense of nostalgia to the table, and skillet kielbasa with sauerkraut does just that. It’s the kind of dish that feels rustic and comforting, reminding me of the hearty meals shared around a farmhouse table. The combination of sauerkraut and kielbasa creates a perfect harmony of tangy and savory flavors, all cooked together in one pan for simplicity.

This recipe perfectly balances bold flavors. I’m a massive fan of Sauerkraut. Here, it provides a bright tanginess, the potatoes and onions add heartiness, and the kielbasa brings a smoked sausage richness that ties everything together. Then there’s the seasoning—whole grain mustard, a touch of honey, and smoky paprika elevate the dish, giving it a depth that feels familiar yet exciting. It’s a perfect example of how a few thoughtful ingredients can transform a simple dish into something memorable.

This dish turns basic, humble ingredients into something truly special. It’s easy to prepare but still feels like a satisfying meal you’d proudly serve to family or friends. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, this recipe brings everyone to the table, ready to dig in and enjoy the warmth of good food.

Kielbasa in an iron skillet with sauerkraut, potatoes, and onion.

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.
White marble surface filled with ingredients for kielbasa and sauerkraut including potatoes, spices, honey, and more.

How to Make Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

There are three steps to preparing this recipe:

  1. Brown the kielbasa
  2. Prepare the vegetables
  3. Add the sauerkraut

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 they begin to brown, cooking until slightly browned. Once heated, remove the kielbasa and set 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 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 to 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 to 14 minutes until the dish is warmed. Serve warm and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Pro Tips for Success

  • 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.
Skillet kielbasa and sauerkraut in an iron skillet.

Serving and Storage

To serve: Garnish with parsley, if desired. This kielbasa and sauerkraut dish works well with so many side dishes, but I think a great salad would complement the heartier flavors of this recipe. Try one of the following salad recipes:

To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the fridge. The leftovers will last 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of kielbasa works best?

It’s difficult to go wrong with kielbasa, but I typically choose the one that will provide me with a boost of flavor. I usually use Polish sausage. Protein alternatives like turkey kielbasa will also work.

What type of potato works best for this recipe?

I like to use a russet potato. I scrub them and leave the skin on. It’s a readily available potato that roasts well in the oven.

What if I don’t own an oven-safe skillet?

No worries! You’ll simply need to use two different pans — a skillet for browning the kielbasa on the stovetop and a sheet pan for roasting in the oven.

Kielbasa sits on a layer of sauerkraut and potatoes.

Watch How to Make This Recipe

Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?

I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!

Sauerkraut, potatoes, and onion in an iron skillet with kielbasa.

Skillet Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

5 from 2 votes
Skillet kielbasa and sauerkraut is the ultimate cozy meal for any day of the week. It's a one-pan dish that has a mix of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors, all wrapped up in hearty, feel-good vibes. Perfectly warm and satisfying, it’s comfort food done right!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 12 oz kielbasa sliced into six pieces
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 medium russet potatoes diced into ½-inch pieces
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¾ tsp paprika
  • 2 cups sauerkraut
  • 1-2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp whole-grain mustard

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Heat a 12-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium. Once warm, add the kielbasa and cook until it is lightly brown, 3 minutes. Flip and repeat until the other side is lightly brown, 3 minutes. Remove the kielbasa from the skillet and set aside.
    12 oz kielbasa
  • Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, remove from the heat and add the prepared onion, potatoes, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss to combine and place in the preheated 400°F oven. Roast until the potatoes are tender and beginning to brown, 18-22 minutes. Remove from the oven.
    2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 medium onion, 2 medium russet potatoes, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ¾ tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Add the sauerkraut, honey, and mustard to the skillet. Stir to combine and place the kielbasa on top. Return to the oven and cook until everything is warmed through, 10-14 minutes.
    2 cups sauerkraut, 1-2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp whole-grain mustard

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 392kcal
Course Dinner
Cuisine German
Difficulty Easy
Method Baking

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Kaleb

I’m Kaleb! I'm not a chef, professional baker, landscaper, or designer, but I like to play each on Knollgate Farm. Come join me on my journey and let's learn together!

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5 from 2 votes

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3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this for supper tonight(2-6-2025). I left out the onions because we don’t like onions. I loved the taste of the roasted potatoes with the sauerkraut . I used turkey kielbasa to be healthy. I didn’t have any grainy mustard so I used a little honey mustard dipping sauce. The food was delicious even with the substitutions. My husband loved it! Thanks, Kaleb