Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes Recipe

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This hearty and rustic Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes recipe is a cozy meal that feels like home. A classic dish steeped in comfort and tradition, it combines smoky kielbasa, tangy sauerkraut, and tender potatoes into one satisfying skillet that practically cooks itself. Perfect for chilly evenings or casual family dinners, it brings old-world flavors straight to your table.

The beauty of this meal lies in its simplicity. With minimal prep and just a handful of ingredients, it’s a go-to choice for busy weeknights. The sauerkraut cuts through the richness of the sausage, while the potatoes soak up all those savory juices for a well-balanced bite in every forkful. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers the next day, this is the kind of recipe that always delivers.

Why You’ll Love This Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes

This dish is the epitome of hearty, rustic comfort food. It requires only one pan and delivers big flavor with very little effort. Each bite is rich with the smoky notes of Polish sausage, mellowed by the tangy brightness of sauerkraut and made more satisfying with fork-tender potatoes.

It’s incredibly versatile too. You can throw in apples for sweetness, caraway seeds for an extra traditional touch, or even a splash of beer or broth to deepen the flavor. The dish is naturally gluten-free and can be adapted for paleo diets or made extra indulgent with a bit of butter.

What Kind of Sauerkraut Should I Use?

The best sauerkraut for this dish is the kind that comes from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. It has a fresher, crunchier texture and a more vibrant tang than the canned variety. Look for one with minimal ingredients—just cabbage, salt, and perhaps caraway seeds.

If you’re using jarred or canned sauerkraut, rinse it lightly if you want a milder flavor or leave it as is if you love that bold fermented punch. Either way, it will mellow as it cooks and blend beautifully with the richness of the sausage and the starchiness of the potatoes.

Ingredients for the Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes

To bring this flavorful skillet meal together, you only need a few simple, everyday ingredients that work in harmony to create something special. Each one plays a crucial role in the balance of savory, tangy, and hearty goodness.

• Polish sausage (kielbasa)
• Sauerkraut
• Gold or red potatoes
• Yellow onion
• Garlic cloves
• Olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper
• Caraway seeds (optional)
• Apple slices or grated apple (optional)

The Polish sausage is the star of the show, bringing a deep, smoky flavor that anchors the whole dish.

Sauerkraut provides the signature tang that cuts through the richness and balances the entire skillet.

Potatoes add heartiness and absorb all the flavorful juices from the sausage and sauerkraut.

Yellow onion adds a sweet, mellow undertone once sautéed, complementing the boldness of the other ingredients.

Garlic cloves deepen the savory base and add a wonderful aroma.

Olive oil or butter helps to caramelize the onions and garlic and adds a bit of richness to the pan.

Salt and pepper are all you need for seasoning, especially since the sausage and kraut bring plenty of flavor on their own.

Caraway seeds, if you choose to use them, enhance the traditional Eastern European flavor.

Apple is optional, but a touch of sweetness from a fresh apple brings brightness to the mix.

How To Make the Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes

Step 1: Sauté the Sausage and Onions

Slice your kielbasa into thick rounds and sear them in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Add in chopped onions and sauté until softened and lightly golden.

Step 2: Add the Garlic and Potatoes

Add minced garlic and diced potatoes to the pan. Stir to coat everything in the flavorful oil. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes to let the potatoes start softening and browning.

Step 3: Mix in the Sauerkraut

Add your sauerkraut straight to the pan, along with any optional apple slices and caraway seeds if using. Stir well to combine everything.

Step 4: Cover and Simmer

Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the mixture simmer gently for about 20 minutes. This helps the potatoes fully soften and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Remove the lid and give everything a final stir. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve warm straight from the skillet, preferably with crusty bread or mustard on the side.

How to Serve and Store Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes

This dish is best served hot, straight from the skillet, with a side of crusty bread or a dollop of mustard to elevate the flavors. It makes a satisfying main course for four to five people, and leftovers taste even better the next day.

If you find yourself with leftovers, let the dish cool to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to retain the texture, or microwave for a quick meal.

You can also freeze this dish for up to a month. Just make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best texture.

What to Serve With Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes?

German Mustard or Spicy Brown Mustard

A strong mustard adds a sharp bite that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the sausage and potatoes.

Crusty Rye Bread

Thick slices of rye or pumpernickel bread soak up the juices and add a chewy, earthy element to your plate.

Cucumber Dill Salad

This cool and refreshing side lightens up the hearty flavors and adds a crisp, herby bite.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

A caramelized, slightly bitter vegetable side that pairs nicely with the tang of sauerkraut.

Braised Red Cabbage

Double down on the sweet-and-sour notes with a warm, vinegary cabbage dish that’s both colorful and comforting.

Apple Sauce or Stewed Apples

The sweetness of apple brings out the flavor in the pork sausage and complements the tartness of the kraut.

Pickled Vegetables

From pickles to beets, anything briny will work to enhance and balance the savory profile of this dish.

Beer or Cider

A cold pint of lager, pilsner, or hard cider makes an excellent beverage pairing with the bold, salty flavors in this meal.

Want More Sausage and Skillet Dinner Ideas?

If you love this Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes, you’ll probably enjoy these other savory skillet-friendly dinners too:

• Try the Delicious Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni for a creamy and cheesy twist on sausage pasta.
• Whip up a batch of Creamy Kielbasa Gnocchi Soup for a rich and hearty soup that warms you from the inside.
• Need a fast weeknight fix? The Easy Chicken with Zucchini Corn Garlic Sauce offers a one-pan wonder packed with flavor.
• Craving classic comfort? The Skirt Steak Rice Bowls with Chimichurri are simple yet stunning.
• For another potato-lovers dream, check out Crockpot Loaded Steak and Potato Bake, perfect for cozy nights.

Save This Recipe For Later

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And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use the caraway seeds or add apples? Maybe gave it a beer-braised twist?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too, let’s help each other cook better meals with less fuss.

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Conclusion

Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut and Potatoes is everything you want from a rustic skillet meal: hearty, flavorful, and soul-warming. It doesn’t require fancy ingredients or complicated steps, just good-quality staples and a little stovetop love. Whether you make it for a chilly evening, a weekend gathering, or a busy weeknight, this dish promises both ease and comfort in every bite.

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