Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut (Fresh Kielbasa)

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut in the Slow Cooker

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4.77 from 13 votes

Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut (Fresh Kielbasa)

Old fashinied kielbasa and kraut in the slow cooker just the way Mom makes it.

Prep Time20

Cook Time6

Course: Main Dish, Meat

Cuisine: Christmas, Easter, Game Day, Keto, Low Carb, New Years, Slow Cooker

Keyword: fresh kielbasa, Kielbasa and kraut, Polish recipes, polish sausage

Servings: People

Calories: 475kcal

Cost: 12.00

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

2 lb sauerkraut ( 1 bag) drained well, rinsed if desired
1-1.5 lb fresh, raw Polish kielbasa link
2 Tablespoon oil
8 oz fresh mushrooms finely diced
1 onion yellow, or white, finely diced 5-6 oz
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper it works out to about 20 twists on my grinder
1 beef bouillon cube

Instructions

Place your sauerkraut in a strainer over the sink and let it drain while you prep the other ingredients. *See Notes*
Add oil to a large pan or directly into your slow cooker if it can go on the stove or has browning capabilities. Sear the kielbasa for about 2 minutes on each side to crisp and brown up. Remove from pan and set aside.
**See Notes**
Add the mushrooms and a little more oil if needed and brown for 5 minutes.
Add the onion to the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. Add about 1 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper, it's about 20 twists for me.
Add in 1/4 cup of water and the bouillon cube, scrape the bottom of the pot and mix until the bouillon cube is dissolved.
Use your hand to really squeeze out all the moisture in the kraut, then add it to the pot and mix the kraut and mushroom/onion mixture together.
Place all of this in your slowcooker and nestle the kielbasa on the top. Cover and cook on low for at least 6 hours.
Slice the kielbasa into serving size pieces and serve alongside the kraut. Serve with horseradish, rye bread, or pierogi as desired.

Notes

* I do not rinse my sauerkraut, we like the sour and tang of it unrinsed. If you want a more mellow flavor give the sauerkraut a light rinse before squeezing all the liquid out.

** My slow cooker has a removable crock that can go on the stovetop, other versions have a "sear" option you can use. If yours does not, just cook everything in a pan on the stove and then transfer the mixture to your slow cooker. **

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