Stovetop Apple Kielbasa

Stovetop Apple Kielbasa

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 12 servings

Flavorful kielbasa come directly from Poland. Similar to a common sausage in shape, kielbasa has a distinctly garlicky and herby flavor and is a common staple on Polish tables. Added to many dishes and often served with sauerkraut, kielbasa is a wonderful ingredient that's easy to prepare and can compose all sorts of filling dishes in a matter of minutes, like this one-pot apple kielbasa. Rich and juicy, the sausage is cooked in a mixture of brown sugar, chunky apple sauce, mustard, and garlic. A few minutes on the stove and the kielbasa is ready to be served over mashed potatoes, rice, or with a generous side of crusty bread and more mustard if you're keen on sweet and savory combinations. Serve it as an appetizer by skewering each slice with a toothpick and putting each bite atop a small slice of baguette. There is no wrong way of eating kielbasa, and if this is the first time trying it, you're in for a real treat.

Kielbasa is a staple in many parts of Eastern Europe and has many different names. The type of sausage we used for this recipe is one of the Polish variations, a U-shaped, lightly smoked sausage known as wiejska, or farmhouse sausage, flavored with generous amounts of garlic, marjoram and made out of pork and beef. But if what you can find is not this type of kielbasa, such as just beef, just pork, or very smoked, the flavors in our recipe will still work with those kinds of kielbasa and you'll serve an equally delicious meal. You can buy kielbasa at many upscale grocers or in Polish marketplaces, specialized butchers, and online charcuterie retailers.

This recipe is quick to cook, so it makes the perfect weeknight meal for your family. If you like spicy food, add some diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper to taste into the pan and enjoy a little kick with the sweet apple sauce. Serve with your favorite sides such as potato wedges, cheesy pasta bakes, or with naan or pitas for a fun sandwich-like meal. Pickled vegetables like onions and cucumbers pair really nicely with this fabulous dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds cooked kielbasa sausage

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

  • 1 cup chunky applesauce

  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Stovetop Apple Kielbasa ingredients

    The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

  2. Cut the kielbasa into 2-inch pieces using a very sharp knife.

    sliced kielbasa on a cutting board

    The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

  3. Combine the sausage with the brown sugar, applesauce, mustard, and garlic in a large saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.

    sausage with the brown sugar, applesauce, mustard, and garlic in a large saucepan

    The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

  4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sausage in the sauce, stirring frequently, until the sausage reaches an internal temperature of 165 F when tested with a meat thermometer. The sausage should be glazed at this point. This whole process should take about 10 to 14 minutes.

    Stovetop Apple Kielbasa in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

  5. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
316 Calories
23g Fat
19g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 316
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 7g 37%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 942mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 12mg 58%
Calcium 46mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 272mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)