Rustic Kielbasa, Apple & Sauerkraut with Mashed Potatoes

Kielbasa and sauerkraut with apples is one of those simple dinners that just feels like cold-weather comfort food. This version combines smoky browned kielbasa with tangy sauerkraut, sweet apple, onion, garlic and caraway, then piles everything over buttery mashed potatoes for an easy, hearty dinner.

Rustic Kielbasa, Apple & Sauerkraut with Mashed Potatoes

Smoky browned kielbasa tossed with tangy sauerkraut, sweet apple, onions and caraway, then served over buttery mashed potatoes for an easy, hearty dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the kielbasa & sauerkraut

• 2 12 oz packages kielbasa, sliced into thick rounds
• 1 24 oz jar sauerkraut, drained
• 1 medium yellow onion sliced
• 1 medium apple peeled, cored and diced or thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Salt if needed

For the mashed potatoes

• 5 –6 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup milk or heavy cream as needed
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes.
2. While the potatoes cook, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and cook until nicely browned on both sides.
3. Add the sliced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes, until softened and beginning to brown.
4. Stir in the apple and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
5. Stir in the drained sauerkraut and caraway seeds. Season with black pepper, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is hot and the apples and onions are tender.
6. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter and enough milk to reach your preferred consistency. Mash until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Spoon the mashed potatoes onto plates and top generously with the kielbasa, apple and sauerkraut mixture.

Notes

Sauerkraut and kielbasa can both be fairly salty, so taste before adding additional salt. A tart-sweet apple such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Granny Smith works especially well here.

why add apples to kielbasa and sauerkraut?

The apple isn’t there to make the dish taste sweet. It softens as everything cooks and adds just enough sweetness to balance the tang of the sauerkraut and the smoky, salty kielbasa.

The caraway gives it that classic sauerkraut flavor, while the mashed potatoes catch all of the juices from the skillet. It’s one of those very simple dinners where everything works better together than it does on its own.

homemade sauerkraut or store-bought?

If you make your own, this recipe is a perfect excuse to crack open a jar. I use my Easy Homemade Sauerkraut, it’s simple, inexpensive and one of those things I almost always like having around.

No homemade sauerkraut ready? No problem. I also buy pantry staples from Thrive Market, and you can grab sauerkraut there when there isn’t a fresh batch fermenting on the counter.

Shop Thrive Market →

what to serve with kielbasa and sauerkraut.

I serve this over mashed potatoes because they soak up all of the flavor from the kielbasa, sauerkraut, apples and onions. It makes the whole thing feel like a complete comfort-food dinner without needing much else.

If you want something green on the side, roasted green beans, Brussels sprouts or a simple salad would all work. And honestly, a thick slice of homemade bread for scooping up everything left on the plate wouldn’t hurt either.