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    You Are Here Home » Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi Recipes

    Published: Mar 27, 2020 Updated: Mar 11, 2023 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 6 Comments

    Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Dinner

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    sauerkraut and kielbasa dinner

    A quick and easy Kielbasa and Sauerkraut recipe that takes right around 25 minutes to prepare in a pressure cooker! Sliced German sausage (or kielbasa), potatoes, sauerkraut, and other yummy ingredients like bacon, onions, garlic, and beer give this recipe an incredible flavor!

    kielbasa and sauerkraut in a bowl

    The Story Behind This Recipe

    The origin of my original kielbasa and Sauerkraut recipe goes back to the early 1990s when I was a Deputy Sheriff in San Diego. My friend, Joni, who was one of the deputies I worked with, shared her Kielbasa and Sauerkraut recipe with me after bringing a crock pot full this yummy goodness to one of our many potlucks.

    Joni's sauerkraut and kielbasa recipe was pretty simple: kielbasa, sauerkraut, potatoes, and caraway seeds, but man was it delicious! She prepared hers in a slow cooker or crockpot and that's how I cooked for years until I bought an Instant pot. Joni comes to my mind every time I make this recipe.

    3 deputies posing together
    Me, Larry, and Joni. Sadly they've both passed since then, but the memories live on!

    Why This Recipe Works

    • This kielbasa and sauerkraut recipe is really easy to prepare and so full of flavor!
    • If you are looking for a quick and satisfying dinner recipe in under 30 minutes, this is it!
    • Leftovers taste even better the next day!
    • Sauerkraut and kielbasa only requires simple ingredients that you probably already have at home.

    What You Need For This Recipe

    saurkraut and  kielbasa ingredients, labeled

    Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Sausage — Although I like to use kielbasa there are so many other sausage options including Polish kielbasa. You can also use pork kielbasa or turkey kielbasa.
    • Potatoes — I recommend using your favorite potatoes including Yukon potatoes, red, or russet potatoes. You can either peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, just make sure you scrub them really well with a vegetable brush first.
    • Beer — I like to use a good beer like Heineken, but if you prefer not to add alcohol, you can add water, chicken broth, or apple juice instead.
    • Brown Sugar — The brown sugar adds a little sweetness to the recipe and really balances out the flavors, so don't leave it out.
    • Caraway Seeds — The caraway seeds add so much flavor to this recipe so I highly recommend adding them!
    • Apples — I like to use granny smith apples in this recipe to offset the sweetness of the brown sugar. However, if you prefer, you can add sweet apples instead.
    • Sauerkraut — I wasn't a fan of sauerkraut until I started making my own fermented cabbage sauerkraut. It's fantastic. If you're not in a hurry, I recommend making your own sauerkraut to add to this recipe!

    How to Make Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

    Step 1: Peel potatoes and slice in half. Chop each half into thirds. Next, peel the garlic and roughly chop the apple.

    chopped potatoes and 3 garlic cloves
    diced Granny Smith apple

    Step 2: Slice the onion, and mix with the potatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. If using caraway seeds, add them too. Slice the sausage on the bias (at an angle).

    chopped potatoes and sliced onions sprinkled with red pepper
    chopped kielbasa

    Step 3: Select the saute setting on your pressure cooker/Instant Pot. Add diced bacon until some of the fat is rendered (if it's too lean, add 1 tablespoon oil)

    chopped bacon frying in a pan
    fried chopped bacon in a pan

    Step 4: Add the potatoes and onions and sauté until they begin to brown (approximately 3 minutes). Next, add the sausage and garlic and saute a few minutes longer.

    seasoned potatoes, onions, and bacon.
    seasoned potatoes, onions, and bacon.
    chopped kielbasa topped with garlic cloves in a white plate
    kielbasa and sauerkraut in an instant pot

    Step 5: Add the chopped apple to a bowl, along with the brown sugar, sauerkraut, and 6 ounces of beer. Stir the contents of the bowl and add to the Instant pot/pressure cooker.

    chopped apple and sauerkraut in a bowl
    chopped apple and sauerkraut in a bowl with sausage

    Step 6: Lock the lid and seal the vent. Pressure cook for 5 minutes. It will take approximately 5 minutes to seal and start counting down. Natural release for 3 minutes. Carefully remove the lid and gently stir the sausage, potato, apple, and sauerkraut mixture before serving.

    kielbasa and sauerkraut in an instant pot

    Recipe FAQs

    What potatoes do you use to make kielbasa and sauerkraut?

    Yukon potatoes, gold, red, or russet potatoes all work great in this recipe. However, sweet potatoes are not recommended.

    What kind of sausage should you use in this recipe?

    Kielbasa or fully cooked German sausage are a favorite in kielbasa and sauerkraut.

    If you choose to use Braatz instead (which is usually uncooked) do not slice it since it would most likely fall apart in the pressure cooker. Instead, make sure to poke a few holes in the sausages first so they don't explode while cooking. I would also recommend browning them first.

    What do you serve with Kielbasa and sauerkraut?

    Kielbasa and sauerkraut is the ultimate comfort food. This one-pot dish has everything you'd want in a delicious meal. Protein, carbs, and plenty of sauerkraut!

    A bowl of this dish is quite filling, so you really don't need a side dish. If you really want to serve something on the side, how about some sourdough bread to sop up the delicious juices?

    Should you rinse sauerkraut before using it?

    Sauerkraut is loaded with probiotics or live bacteria. It's known for its gut-health benefits, which is due to the fermentation process used to make sauerkraut.

    There is also promising research regarding the weight loss benefits of sauerkraut. But that's not all! According to WebMD, it has other benefits too!

    "Sauerkraut contains far more lactobacillus than yogurt, making it a superior source of this probiotic. A bite or two of kraut every few days -- or whenever your tummy is upset -- may help treat ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. It may also treat and prevent eczema."

    So use fresh sauerkraut when at all possible and whatever you do, don't rinse it!

    Pro Tips

    • If you don't like caraway, try sage, thyme, or your favorite herbs.
    • If you don't want to use beer, you can use apple juice instead. You might want to leave the brown sugar out though so that the dish is not overly sweet.
    • Peeling the potatoes is optional. If you decide to leave them unpeeled, make sure you scrub them thoroughly first.
    • To cook this dish on the stovetop, follow the recipe directions up to the point where everything is in the pot, then cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, and sausage is cooked.
    • Serve with some dijon mustard on the side!
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    kielbasa and sauerkraut in a bowl

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    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

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    📖 Recipe

    kielbasa and sauerkraut in a bowl

    Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

    A quick and easy Kielbasa and Sauerkraut dinner that takes right around 30 minutes to prepare in a pressure cooker!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: German
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 810kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Equipment

    • pressure cooker

    Ingredients

    • 4 medium potatoes
    • 1 small yellow onion
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon caraway seeds
    • 4 slices bacon
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 8 links German sausages or 2 lbs. kielbasa (fully cooked)
    • 1 medium Granny Smith apple
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 lb. sauerkraut (drained)
    • 6 oz German beer (¾ of a cup)

    Instructions

    • Peel potatoes and slice in half. Chop each half into thirds. Next, peel the garlic and roughly chop the apple.
    • Slice the onion, and mix with the potatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. If using caraway seeds, add them too. Slice the sausage on the bias (at an angle).
    • Select the saute setting on your pressure cooker/Instant Pot. Add diced bacon until some of the fat is rendered (if it's too lean, add 1 tablespoon oil)
    • Add the potatoes and onions and sauté until they begin to brown (approximately 3 minutes). Next, add the sausage and garlic and saute a few minutes longer.
    • Add the chopped apple to a bowl, along with the brown sugar, sauerkraut, and 6 ounces of beer. Stir the contents of the bowl and add to the Instant pot/pressure cooker.
    • Lock the lid and seal the vent. Pressure cook for 5 minutes. It will take approximately 5 minutes to seal and start counting down. Natural release for 3 minutes.
    • Carefully remove the lid and gently stir the sausage, potato, apple, and sauerkraut mixture before serving.

    Notes

    • If you don't like caraway, try sage, thyme, or your favorite herbs.
    • If you don't want to use beer, you can use apple juice instead. You might want to leave the brown sugar out though so that the dish is not overly sweet.
    • Peeling the potatoes is optional. If you decide to leave them unpeeled, make sure you scrub them thoroughly first.
    • To cook this dish on the stovetop, follow the recipe directions up to the point where everything is in the pot, then cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, and sausage is cooked.
    • Serve with some dijon mustard on the side!
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 810kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 2339mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 14g
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

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    1. Tracy says

      January 25, 2022 at 7:43 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tonight for my husband and I. Husband asked... "Why haven't you made it like this all the times before?". Thanks for the great recipie!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        January 25, 2022 at 8:18 pm

        Haha, I love that, thank you, Tracy!

        Reply
    2. Lisa Tuckett says

      December 14, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight to eat in front of Monday night football. What a hit! My husband and I loved it. Thank you for such a delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        December 14, 2020 at 7:08 pm

        Hi Lisa,
        I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it. Who are you rooting for?

        Reply
    3. Cathy P says

      July 13, 2020 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved this recipe! I only had sweet potatoes, so used them and halved the brown sugar. Other than that, followed it exactly (stove top method). Delicious. Thanks!

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        July 13, 2020 at 9:15 pm

        Hi Cathy, Thank you so much for the review. I'm so glad your family enjoyed it. I know sometimes finding a recipe that everyone likes can be a challenge. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply

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