Description
This Skillet Kielbasa and Sauerkraut recipe offers a flavorful and comforting one-pan meal featuring browned kielbasa sausage, sweet apples, tangy sauerkraut, and a hint of mustard and thyme. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner that balances savory, sweet, and tart flavors with minimal prep and cook time.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Apple
- 14 ounces kielbasa sausage
- 1 medium to large apple (sweet-crisp variety like Gala or Fuji)
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as avocado or vegetable oil)
Main Mixture
- 16 ounces refrigerated sauerkraut, drained
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard or spicy brown German mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Freshly ground black pepper, optional and to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice the kielbasa into ½-inch thick rounds and set aside. Cut the unpeeled apple into quarters, remove the core, and thinly slice. Set aside these prepped ingredients.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the kielbasa slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until they develop a nice brown color, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set on a plate.
- Cook Sauerkraut Mixture: Return the skillet to medium heat and add the drained sauerkraut, apple slices, brown sugar, water or chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors.
- Combine and Simmer: Place the browned sausage evenly on top of the sauerkraut and apple mixture in the skillet. Cover the skillet and lower the heat to medium-low. Let everything cook together for about 5 minutes, or until the apples become tender when pierced with a fork.
- Season and Serve: Remove the cover, season with freshly ground black pepper if desired, and serve the skillet kielbasa and sauerkraut hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Drain the sauerkraut well before cooking to avoid excess liquid diluting the flavors.
- Using a sweet and crisp apple like Gala or Fuji balances the tang of the sauerkraut beautifully.
- For a gluten-free meal, ensure the kielbasa and mustard used are gluten-free.
- You can substitute water with low-sodium chicken broth for more depth of flavor.
