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3-ingredient Slow Cooker Kielbasa makes the easiest appetizer, or pair it with mashed potatoes or rice for a filling dinner. Smoked sausage is cooked long and slow in a sweet and tangy jam and mustard sauce for a simple, satisfying dish.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Polish, American
- Primary Cooking Method: Slow cooker
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
Why I Love This Kielbasa Recipe
I love using the slow cooker to make mealtimes a breeze, and this slow cooker kielbasa recipe is one of my failsafe recipes. Like my Easy Crockpot Corned Beef, slow cooker kielbasa doesn’t take much more effort than opening a few jars and popping all the ingredients into the slow cooker. Make this kielbasa as a quick appetizer on game day served with toothpicks or round it out into dinner with a side of Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and a bowl of Air Fryer Broccoli.
- Adaptable. You can use any type of fruit preserves you like in this recipe, add some spice, try another sauce, and more.
- Hearty. Along with a side of bread or rice and some vegetables, this easy recipe makes a filling meal.
- Great for beginners. All you’ll need to do is add the ingredients to a slow cooker, then sit back, relax, and let the cooker do its thing!
What Is Kielbasa?
Kielbasa is a type of Polish sausage (in fact, kielbasa means “sausage” in Polish!). In the U.S. kielbasa refers to a smoked meat sausage formed in a U-shape and made from pork or pork and beef. Kielbasa is typically flavored with garlic along with some other flavorings like cloves, pimentos, and marjoram. You can also find kielbasa made with turkey, which I prefer in this recipe.
What You’ll Need
Three ingredients are all you’ll need to make this slow cooker kielbasa recipe, and I’ve listed them below. Find the full ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Kielbasa: I usually use turkey kielbasa, but you can use pork kielbasa or smoked sausage.
- Peach Preserves: Peach or apricot preserves can be used interchangeably in this recipe. You can also try orange marmalade, your favorite preserves, or even cranberry sauce to change up the flavors.
- Dijon Mustard: If you don’t have Dijon mustard a good substitute is stone-ground mustard.
How to Make Slow Cooker Kielbasa
With a few simple steps you’ll be on your way to making slow cooker kielbasa! I show you how below, and the full details are in the recipe card lower down.
- Add to a slow cooker. Spray a slow cooker with nonstick spray, then add all the ingredients and stir to combine.
- Cook. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the kielbasa is slightly caramelized.
Tips for Success
- A note about gluten-free kielbasa: If needed, use a brand of kielbasa that is gluten-free. Read the labels carefully when choosing your kielbasa because some brands of turkey kielbasa use non-gluten-free oat starch. At the time of this writing, Eckrich and Butterball are labeled gluten-free, but you should always check for any updated information. Aldi recently changed their product that was previously gluten-free to one that contains oat starch, so if you need to keep gluten-free, avoid this one.
- Serve as an appetizer. Keep the kielbasa bites warm in a crockpot and serve them as an appetizer with toothpicks straight from the pot.
- Make a one-pot meal. To streamline dinner even further, you can add potatoes to the pot along with the other ingredients. Peel and dice two pounds of potatoes of your choice and add them to the slow cooker along with 2 cups of milk or broth.
- Try BBQ sauce. For a different flavor, use homemade Honey BBQ Sauce or Balsamic BBQ Sauce instead of the fruit preserves, or use your favorite brand of barbecue sauce.
- Add heat. If you like a bit of spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the slow cooker.
How to Store and Reheat Extras
- Fridge – Place cooled slow cooker kielbasa in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – Transfer the cooled kielbasa to a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the kielbasa in the fridge before reheating it.
- To Reheat – You can reheat slow cooker kielbasa in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments, give the kielbasa a stir and checking to make sure it’s heated through.
Make It a Meal
Serve kielbasa as an appetizer on a buffet table or turn it into a meal with these easy accompaniments:
- Rice. Serve kielbasa over a fresh batch of rice. See my posts on How to Make White Rice 5 Ways or How to Make Brown Rice 5 Ways for cooking suggestions.
- Potatoes. The easiest comfort food side, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes is a natural choice to serve with slow cooker kielbasa! You could also make flavorful Parmesan Mashed Potatoes or Smashed Potatoes.
- Veggie sides. Steamed broccoli, a light salad, Whipped Cauliflower, Air Fryer Green Beans, or Roasted Butternut Squash are simple sides that will add color and crunch to a serving of slow cooker kielbasa.
- Bread. If you’re short on time, pick up a loaf of gluten free bread or make a homemade option like Gluten Free Dinner Rolls.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 2 12-13 ounce packages kielbasa or smoked sausage, (turkey or pork), cut into approximately ½-¾-inch pieces
- 1 12-13 ounce jar peach or apricot preserves
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Lightly spray the bowl of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the kielbasa pieces to the slow cooker, the add the preserves and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until it is hot, and the kielbasa starts to brown slightly and caramelize.
- Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks or spoon over rice or mashed potatoes as a meal.
Did you make this?
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