Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut recipe served over mashed potatoes! This easy crockpot meal will become your family’s new favorite dinner! Use a good pork kielbasa for full flavor! It’s inspired by my Polish family!
Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut
A few weeks ago I was left with a cup of sauerkraut. Being a person that doesn’t like any food to go waste I was going crazy with what to do with it. I could make chili cheese dogs. I could make German Pork Chops and Sauerkraut and then I thought of all the great family Polish recipes I ate as a kid.
As a kid, sauerkraut was often to be seen in the kitchen for Sunday dinner. Thinking of sauerkraut, next to meat and mashed potatoes, that’s how this Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut recipe was created.
It’s funny how recipes that just came out of no where end up being your favorite. This slow cooker dish was a huge hit with the kids and husband, so now it’s a family favorite. Looking for more crockpot sausage meals? Also try my: Slow Cooker Sausage and Cabbage, Slow Cooker Sausage and Barley Soup and Crockpot Sweet and Sour Kielbasa.
Ingredients
This is a simple recipe that doesn’t require many ingredients.
- 1 cup sauerkraut
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 pound pork sausage cut up into 1-2 inch pieces
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 1/4 cup water
How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut
In a bowl combine the sauerkraut and brown sugar. Place this into slow cooker.
Next arrange the sausage pieces and onion over the sauerkraut.
Pour water on top.
Cook on high for 2 hours, checking occasionally to make sure there is still water.
Reduce to low and cook for 2 more hours.
Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles
What to serve with Sauerkraut and Sausage?
I served this on mashed potatoes which I would totally recommend for pure comfort food. If you aren’t in the mood for mashed potatoes (gasp!), you could also serve over rice or egg noodles.
So next time you’re wondering what’s for dinner, give this Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage dish a shot. I think you will love it just as much as we do!
Pin for later:
Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut
PrintIngredients
- 1 cup sauerkraut
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 pound pork sausage cut up into 1-2 inch pieces
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the sauerkraut and brown sugar. Place this into slow cooker.
- Next arrange the sausage pieces and onion over the sauerkraut.
- Pour water on top.
- Cook on high for 2 hours, checking occasionally to make sure there is still water.
- Reduce to low and cook for 2 more hours.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles
Becky Wiedower says
Do you pre-boil the sausage or brown it first before placing it in the crock pot? And how much water do you use when it’s all in the crock pot?
Pamela Reed says
Hey Becky, no need to do anything to the sausage before. You use 1/4 cup water (it’s in the recipe card just so you know incase you want to print). Hope you enjoy this recipe!
Bob says
Hi Pam going to try this recipe but 1 cup of sauerkraut seems like a small amount for a pd of sausage then slow cooking for hours. Am I missing something ?
Pamela says
Hey Bob, nope – that’s correct! Hope you enjoy this sausage – make sure to serve over mashed potatoes! 🙂
Keira says
Do you pre brown the sausage or does it come out like that from the slow cooker?
Pamela says
Hey Keira, you can pre-brown the sausage if you want to guarantee the browned look, but most times I skip this step! Enjoy this dish!
Cynthia Kensinger says
Hi. Does the sausage need to be cooked before it goes into the crockpot? Or could I put it in as raw links?
Pamela says
Hey Cynthia, it goes in raw – the crockpot will cook it for you. Enjoy – I love this recipe!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
This is going straight to my Crockpot Pinterest board because I so need to try it!
Anna says
I have memories as an apprentice chef, sauerkraut day was rather memorable … there was butchers tubs of the stuff, and the smell… Not sure I fully recovered. But, this dish does look relish, can’t go wrong with slow cooking. Serve this with a beer and I reckon it’d be a hit with my family too. 🙂
Katerina says
I, too, try not to throw any food and find ways to recycle it and present it in an appetizing way! Your recipe is so delicious and you managed to use the leftovers too!
Kumar's Kitchen says
such a comforting dish…and a delicious way to use that last of tangy sauerkraut…we are complete followers of not letting food go waste too…thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
I think I’ve never had this sauerkraut thing, but it sounds very, very yummy. Especially when sausages are involved hehe ;–) xx
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
It’s funny how you forget about food that you are quite fond of—sauerkraut is one I forgot about. AND it’s not even calorie laden. Thank you for the reminder. Very sweet presentation nestling the sausage n’ kraut on the potato nest!
Ashley says
haha sounds like me – I hate letting anything go to waste and I’m always left with random things that I need to figure out how to use! This looks delicious – love that you used a crockpot!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
Your calling my name Pamela, this looks wonderful. I am a huge sucker for sauerkraut! My family not so much (at all). Can I come and have dinner with you.
Pamela says
I’ll leave a spot for you at the table! 😉
Cailee says
Wow!! This looks so good! I’ve been craving sausages for a while! Haha… so this sounds perfect right about now! YUM!
Zainab says
My father-in-law loves sauerkaut and makes it most times. I will love to show him I can too lol! This recipe looks amazing and can’t wait to try!!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
Sausages + sauerkraut are one of my favorite combinations!
Sophie says
I love sausages with sauerkraut but only it it like hot dog style. Mmmmmmmm.
Debra says
You are a frugal genius!
Kelly says
Love this idea for using up leftovers especially since it’s cooked in the slow cooker too. This looks delicious 🙂
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
This looks delicious Pamela! What a great idea!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
ohmygosh .. looks good. And over mashed potatoes? Yes please.
Katie says
It’s like a German version of Bangers and Mash! I love sauerkraut and I love bratwurst,. This would be a great side dish for a BBQ!
ela@GrayApron says
Wow, that looks like straight from Alsace! Well done, Pamela!
ela h.
laurasmess says
Oh my gosh, yum! I love sauerkraut… I’m already addicted to this combination in a hot dog roll, so why not on top of a gorgeous pile of creamy mashed potatoes? Love your minimum waste policy! xx
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
Looks delicious! Sometimes leftovers make the best ideas for new meals.
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Sausage and kraut is so yummy. What a great crock pot recipe!
Suzanne says
Sounds delish, love sausage and sauerkraut, I too hate to waste anything.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Mmm … love ‘sausage and mash’ in any form, but I’m not sure I’ve seen it like that with sauerkraut before. Great idea, though, and something I’d definitely like to try! 🙂
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I’ve never tried sausage and sauerkraut in the slow cooker, but this recipe looks great! I definitely need to try it on a weeknight soon. Have a great weekend, Pamela!
byeGeorge says
Looks like a great sandwich recipe…byeGeorge