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!
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.
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
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.
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).
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)
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.
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.
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.
Recipe FAQs
Yukon potatoes, gold, red, or russet potatoes all work great in this recipe. However, sweet potatoes are not recommended.
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.
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?
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.
Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
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
Tracy says
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!
Hilda Sterner says
Haha, I love that, thank you, Tracy!
Lisa Tuckett says
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!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Lisa,
I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it. Who are you rooting for?
Cathy P says
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!
HildaSterner says
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!