Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (2024)

This Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe is such a classic combination, that it is sure to become a family favorite. Yes, it is a simple smoked Polish sausage recipe, but many of the best dishes are simple.

Table of Contents show

Of course, kielbasa and potatoes are such a natural pairing anyway. Not only is this easy kielbasa recipe satisfying, it is inexpensive to make too. It is one of my favorite stove top weeknight dinners.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (1)

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

As an added bonus, with one pot preparation, cleanup will be a breeze.

I made this easy kielbasa recipe frequently for my late husband. Kielbasa and potatoes was pretty much his favorite among the polska kielbasa recipes I would prepare for him. The man loved his smoked sausage.

I still make the dish occasionally, but for me, I use the lower fat chicken or turkey kielbasa sausage rather than the pork or beef versions he preferred.

If you are wondering what to make with kielbasa, I like serving this kiebasa with sauteed broccoli rabe sometimes with a splash of hot sauce on top. Many prefer to simply dig into a big bowl of the kielbasa and potatoes for dinner without a side, perhaps with a vegetable tossed right in the skillet.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (2)

Kielbasa and Potatoes

I told you this kielbasa sausage recipe was easy now I will show you step-by-step in pictures how to make the dish.

You may want to skip this part if you are an experienced cook. Printable recipe card is right below.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (3)

Here are all the ingredients you need to make this easy kielbasa recipe:

  • 1 pound of kielbasa sausage
  • 1 ¼ - 1 ½ pounds of potatoes* (chopped, no need to peel)
  • ½ teaspoon of paprika
  • ⅓ teaspoon of Kosher salt (or Sea salt)**
  • ¼ teaspoon of oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1 sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced

*Yukon Gold or Red Skinned potatoes

**if you only have regular table salt, reduce amount to ¼ tsp

Directions:

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (4)

Cut the sausage into slices roughly ⅓ to ½ inch thick.

TIP: Some brands have tougher casing than others. If after a couple slices it seems to be an issue remove it.

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the slices. Fry the kielbasa for approximately 6 minutes, until browned, but still moist.

Scoop out the sausage into a bowl, but leave the rendered fat in the pan.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (6)

Add the potatoes, paprika, salt and oregano to the skillet.

Toss with the leftover fat from the smoked sausages.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and stir every couple minutes for 15 minutes.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (7)

Add the onions and fresh garlic. Stir and cover. Continue cooking, stirring every few minutes for another 10 minutes.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (8)

Now add the sausage back to the pan. Stir and cover. Cook for about 4 minutes to reheat the sausage and meld the flavors.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (9)

Check to ensure potatoes are fully cooked before serving. If they aren't tender, cook a little longer, stirring regularly.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (10)

Serve the polish sausage and potatoes as is, with a vegetable side or even for breakfast with some eggs.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Since this recipe was originally published back in 2011, many have shared their own kielbasa dinner ideas, tips and additions.

Additions:

  • peppers- by far the most popular addition to this dish. Add sliced sweet bell peppers when you add the onions and they should come out just right. Green pepper is a popular addition for readers.
  • sauerkraut- this came in a close second, many add it. Personally, I'd add it close to the end of cooking.
  • cabbage - nearly as popular as the fermented sauerkraut is cabbage. I'd add this in midway through cooking. Some fry is up with the kielbasa, then add it back in at the end with the sausage.
  • Cheese is another great addition to this satisfying meal. Melty cheddar cheese sprinkled on immediately after cooking is my personal favorite way to go.
  • Broccoli, carrots, corn and even noodles were added, by some adventurous readers. They seemed pretty happy with the results too.
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne could spice up this polish sausage meal.

Tips:

  • Use Yukon Gold or Red Skinned potatoes. Russet are likely to break up during cooking.
  • No I do not add water. I feel it interferes with the frying. Once the steam from the potatoes themselves starts to get exhausted, the onions are added, which release more water. If your stove runs a little hotter, you may find you need a little.
  • Turkey or chicken kielbasa will not release enough oil to fry the potatoes. Supplement with a tablespoon of classic olive oil, avocado oil or ghee.
  • I haven't done this but a few readers precooked their potatoes in the microwave to cut down on cook time. It might be worth a try if you are on a time crunch. Frozen hash browns would also be a quick solution in a pinch.

Pan fry this easy kielbasa skillet dinner yourself and don't be afraid to toss in a little something extra if you like. Even when you mix it up a bit this is still an easy dinner that screams comfort food.

More Easy Kielbasa Recipes

Looking for more ways to cook kielbasa? I have several other Polish sausage recipes, right here on the site.

  • If you are watching your carb intake, try my Kielbasa and Cabbage recipe. It is quick, simple and easy on the carbs.
  • Want a delicious meal you can make in your pressure cooker without fuss? try my Instant Pot Kielbasa Pasta.
  • Pierogies and Kielbasa are an authentic Polish combination. Here they are prepared in a cheesy skillet in just 30 minutes!

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (11)

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe

This easy kielbasa and potatoes recipe is a classic comfort food your family is sure to love.

4.92 from 283 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: kielbasa, kielbasa and potatoes

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 553kcal

Author: Robin Gagnon

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. kielbasa sauasage
  • 1 ¼ pounds potatoes 5 medium sized
  • 1 Vidalia onion , chopped
  • ½ tsp. paprika
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • tsp. Kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. oregano or Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Preheat skillet on med-high heat.

  • Cut the kielbasa sausage into slices, and drop in the heated pan. Stir while frying.

  • As kielbasa is browning, chop the onion and potatoes.

  • Once the sausage has browned for approximately 6 minutes, scoop it out and put aside. Much of the fat will have rendered. Make sure to leave grease in the pan.

  • Dump the chopped potatoes into the hot skillet with the kielbasa grease. Add the paprika, salt and oregano. Stir to coat in the fat and reduce the burner to medium to medium-low. Cover.

  • Brown the potatoes for 13 minutes, stirring regularly.

  • Add the onions and garlic. Cook for about 12 minutes. Covered, but stirring regularly.

  • Once the potatoes have softened and onions are cooked add the kielbasa back into the pan mix in and all cook for 4 minutes.

Video

Notes

*A reader (on Pinterest) suggested microwaving the potatoes until nearly done, then cutting and frying with the kielbasa, to cut down on cooking time. Since, we all seem to be regularly in a time crunch, to feed our families, I wanted to add her suggestion. She said it worked out well. *Peppers are also a popular addition to many kielbasa and potato recipes. I usually serve a salad or cooked greens along with mine.

Nutrition

Calories: 553kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 1186mg | Potassium: 1480mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 35.5mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 10.7mg

alternative spellings: keilbasa, kilbasa, kelbasa, kalbasa, cabasa sausage, kaboski

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (12)

Related Posts

  • Easy Oven Fried Potatoes Recipe

  • Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes Recipe

  • Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet

Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook kielbasa? ›

Poke the sausage a few times with a fork and place it in a pot or deep skillet. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat and simmer until heated through, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and serve it with mustard, slice it to serve with pierogis or place it in rolls or sandwiches.

What is traditionally served with kielbasa? ›

Let's explore a few traditional dishes that elevate the kielbasa's flavor.
  • Bigos. Bigos, known as "big mess" for its hearty mix of ingredients, is a staple in Polish cuisine. ...
  • Meat Stuffed Cabbage. ...
  • Beef Stroganoff. ...
  • Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
  • Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Mushroom Barley Soup. ...
  • Ukrainian Meat Borscht Soup. ...
  • Matzoh Ball Soup.
Apr 21, 2024

Should you slice kielbasa before cooking? ›

Slice kielbasa into 1-inch thick rounds and heat in a skillet for a super quick start to a weekday meal.

Do you have to boil kielbasa before you fry it? ›

Fresh kielbasa is usually boiled or grilled to cook it. You can also choose to boil the sausage until it's fully cooked, then grill or pan fry the sausage to crisp up the outside.

What is the traditional way to eat kielbasa? ›

Kielbasa is best served on a plate or in a roll with mustard, horseradish, or sauerkraut, but can also be combined with other ingredients in stews, soups, casseroles, and sauces. We find it very rewarding to experiment with different recipes, and we encourage you to do the same!

Do you take the casing off kielbasa before cooking? ›

While most sausage lovers will cook a sausage in its casing, there are times when the casings can be removed. Removing a sausage casing gives you access to the deliciousness inside, allowing you to use the filling for other recipe ideas.

What do Polish people eat kielbasa with? ›

Sour Foods

Sauerkraut is an obvious choice for a lot of people when smoky kielbasa is on the menu. This combination is steeped in tradition, but these flavors also just happen to go well together! The saltiness from the sausage and sourness from the fermented cabbage complement each other beautifully.

What is the difference between kielbasa and kielbasa sausage? ›

That's because the term kielbasa translates to sausage. In Poland, the term kielbasa can be used to refer to breakfast links, spicy Italian sausage, and smoked sausage flavored with garlic and marjoram. However, in the United States, “Polish sausage” and “kielbasa” are often used to refer to the same type of sausage.

Why is kielbasa good for you? ›

High-Quality Protein Source: Kielbasa is an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential for muscle growth, repairing tissues, and making critical enzymes and hormones. With 11 grams of protein per serving and even more from grass-fed sources, kielbasa can help up your daily protein intake.

Should you poke holes in kielbasa? ›

Cooking Sausages Without Poking Holes In The Casing

These casings, used for sausages like kielbasa, are still made from animal sources, so they're usually edible. There's no need to remove the casings, or poke holes in them to make them easier to remove after cooking.

Can you overcook kielbasa? ›

Overcooking or overheating the sausage past 160 °F will make the fat in the meat melt and evaporate, leaving the sausage less juicy or dry. Some people also want to know whether smoked sausages are ready to eat from the smoker or need further cooking.

How to tell if kielbasa is cooked? ›

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your sausage is between 160 and 165 °F (71 and 74 °C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, check that the sausage is firm and has clear, runny juices. Cut it open and make sure the inside is brown, not pink.

How do you cook store bought kielbasa? ›

Preparation:
  1. steam for 5–7 minutes in a small amount of water in a frying pan.
  2. Allow the water to boil away or pour it off. ...
  3. This short frying process will tenderize the natural casing and improve the flavor.
  4. Pre-cooked sausage like bockwurst and kielbasa can also be grilled quite well (low fire, 5–8 minutes).

Is it better to boil or pan fry sausage? ›

Sausages can be cooked in numerous ways. In general, boiling and baking are the healthiest methods, as they don't require much oil. However, pan- and stir-frying are good options as long as you choose a healthy oil. Conversely, deep frying is the least healthy way because of the fat and calories it adds.

Does Hillshire Farms kielbasa need to be cooked? ›

You do not need to remove the casing from Hillshire Farm® kielbasa, the product is fully cooked and ready to use according to package directions.

How do you cook packaged kielbasa? ›

Preparation:
  1. steam for 5–7 minutes in a small amount of water in a frying pan.
  2. Allow the water to boil away or pour it off. ...
  3. This short frying process will tenderize the natural casing and improve the flavor.
  4. Pre-cooked sausage like bockwurst and kielbasa can also be grilled quite well (low fire, 5–8 minutes).

How long should I grill kielbasa? ›

One of the best ways to prepare and enjoy a Polish kiełbasa is to simply grill it and enjoy it on its own! If you're cooking it on the grill simply place your sausages on your grill once it's heated and ready and cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until it has a light char and golden color.

How do you cook kielbasa without splitting it? ›

An uncooked sausage over high heat will split. With low heat, it will cook and not split. Whether you grill over indirect heat, bake in an oven on medium heat, steam, boil, or pan steam covered, the sausages need to be mostly cooked before browned on higher heat.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5926

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.