Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut with Beer & Brown Sugar
This slow cooker kielbasa and sauerkraut is flavorful and made with just the addition of beer and brown sugar – easy, delicious and perfect for parties!
Two major disclaimers right off the bat:
#1: I have never been a fan of kielbasa.
#2: I am even less of a fan of sauerkraut.
Yet, I am hopelessly in love with this recipe. It doesn’t make logical sense. And yet, the stars somehow aligned. Could it be that beer and brown sugar make all the difference? (Spoiler alert: yes, yes it could.)
Years ago, my husband and I went to his friend’s house for a 4th of July cookout. He mentioned there was kielbasa and sauerkraut (which I typically pass right over), and as a footnote said that they were cooked in beer and brown sugar. My ears shot up faster than a dog who hears a bread bag being rustled (or a peanut butter jar open, or a banana being peeled, AHEM). I had to try it, even though I still kind of thought I wouldn’t really be crazy about it. Forget being crazy about it, or even liking it, I loved it. Afterward, I was sorry that I had filled up on so many side dishes because I was dying for another sandwich but was too full.
A few months later, we were STILL talking about that darn kielbasa and sauerkraut, and since it was now football season (perfect for crock pot meals), we got the recipe from his friend to make ourselves. We have since made it, seriously, COUNTLESS times. I’ve lost track.
This recipe honestly couldn’t be any easier to make – less than 10 minutes to get everything into your slow cooker, and then let it do the work. As with most things like this, the longer you let it cook the better it will taste. The kielbasa becomes so tender that it melts in your mouth, and the sauerkraut takes on a caramelized, sweet flavor – delicious! If you’re a kielbasa and/or sauerkraut-averse person, take it from one of your brethren – you NEED to give this a shot!
This is perfect for football game days, your upcoming Super Bowl party, New Year’s (your pork/sauerkraut is covered!), or any other gathering. Serve it with an easy crock pot mac and cheese on the side and enjoy!
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address, and we'll send it straight to your inbox!
Four years ago: Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
Watch the Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Video:
Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340.2 ml) beer
- 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
- 3 pounds (1.36 kg) polish kielbasa
- 32 ounces (907.19 g) sauerkraut, drained
Instructions
- Combine the beer and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts and the mixture is slightly thickened; set aside.
- Cut the kielbasa into links and place in a slow cooker. Cover with the drained sauerkraut. Pour the beer and brown sugar mixture over top. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or on low for 8 to 10 hours.
- Serve on its own or on your favorite sandwich roll.
Notes
- The beer can be from a can or bottle, and you can use whatever you usually drink or keep on hand. I’ve made this with everything from Miller Lite to Lebatt, Guinness, Heineken, you name it! They all work just fine.
- The brown sugar can be light or dark.
- The sauerkraut can be from a can, jar or bag – just make sure you drain it well.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
This recipe was originally published on October 14, 2011.
What else besides beer can I use. Allergic.Thank You
Pick a recipe that doesn’t call for beer? 🤔
Can this be doubled?or more? I have 22 people for New Year’s Day.
I would make two separate recipes, and borrow a crock pot from a neighbor!
SENSATIONAL!!! After reading reviews, I decided to cut the brown sugar in half and I didn’t rinse the kraut. I used a good lager (Sam Adams) and Vlassic sauerkraut in the jar. Everyone was blown away with the flavor of this dish!
Love this recipe and make it regularly. Only tweaks are to use less brown sugar (1/2 cup) and substitute dry hard cider instead of beer (based on what we have on hand).
Can I use non alcoholic beer?
Based on other comments, I only used 1/2 cup brown sugar with 12 ounces of beer. I also used an extra can of sauerkraut (32 + 12). It was still too sweet for my wife and I. I’ll probably stick to using a half of an apple sliced to cut down on the tartness of the sauerkraut.
Made for New Year’s Day and it was AMAZING! Just like my favorite Aunt used to make before she passed last year. This year it was up to me and the recipe was perfect. Made the whole family happy!
I MAKE this recipe every year for my NEW years dinner. I use fresh polish sausage and sprinkle in some caraway seeds! YUM
How about adding a peeled and sliced apple also?
Is this for smoked or fresh kielbasa??
I grill my kielbasa before i simmer it
Everyone LOVED this recipe! I cant believe the negative reviews…we were blown away by how good this is!!
I meant a five star lol!!
I don’t drink and never have beer in my house..could I use coke as a substitute
Hi Martha, You could use ginger ale (or ginger beer)!
Can use wine instead beer
Hi Maria, I have not done that and I’m not sure how it might work.
Modification: Render 4 oz bacon (chopped). Add to saute: 1 C white onion, 2 cloves minced garlic and 1 jalapeno (seeded and de ribbed), 1 t caraway seeds.
Add drained and squeezed dry sauerkraut. Cooked until kraut started to take on color. Remove and saute kielbasa.
Place kielbasa in Instant Pot, cover with kraut mixture, beer and brown sugar and 8 hrs later… Heaven!
I hate sauerkraut more than anyone on the planet. I made this exact recipe a few years ago and it’s amazing! I won’t eat sauerkraut any other time of year – but her recipe makes it taste so yummy!
Try it!
I hate sauerkraut. Any recommendations for a substitute?
Yes, a recipe without sauerkraut.
Can this recipe be Keto Friendly and Gluten free
Can this sit in the crockpot overnight so I can just pull it out and start it in the morning?
Yes, just be sure to refrigerate!
Hi,
I dont have a crock pot.. Can I make this in a regular pot on stove? Thanks!
I use my Dutch oven, in the oven, at 275-300 whenever it is this type recipe. Seems to work, the wife is still here!
Yes, just cook low and slow and keep covered.
My family always wants me to make this for our summer get-togethers. I realize recipes are very subjective but I’m surprised on bad reviews – we love this recipe and it’s so easy.
I’m really excited to try this tomorrow! I’ve only ever eaten my sauerkraut sweet… That’s how momma made her Pork and Sauerkraut every New Year’s Day growing up back home in Lancaster, PA :) Hoping this reminds me of home! Here’s my question… How do you think that this would turn out using Beer Brats in place of the kielbasa???
I definitely think that would work!
WOW!!!! Just WOW!!!
Couldn’t be easier or more delicious ❤️❤️
I used the garlic kielbasa available at Costco (guaranteed to be the best kielbasa you’ve ever had or your money back) and some good beer (Sam Adams or Red Bridge if making a gluten free meal) along with high quality (preservative free) sauerkraut and cooked it on high for at least 4 hours in my crockpot for Christmas dinner (each year we pick a different nationality of food to make, last year was Polish food) and it turned out so tender and flavorful. Everyone loved it. I’ve made it numerous times since. So easy and time saving!
Costco can’t possibly have the best kielbasa that I have ever had.
I made two modifications and this is now my new “go-to” saurkraut dinner. I added a good-sized cubed red apple (mainly because it’s how my German mother taught me) and cut the brown sugar to half cup based on reviewers who said this was too sweet). That was a good call, btw. I cannot imagine how sweet it’d be had I used a whole cup. I used bagged kraut, drained (Tip: do NOT rinse!).
HALF cup dark brown sugar dissolved in 12 ounces beer
1 red apple, cubed
polish kielbasa
32 ounces sauerkraut (drained, but NOT rinsed)
6 hours on low.
Do you have to boil fresh kielbasa before adding it to the crock pot and then cooking it for 6 hours?
Do you need to boil the fresh kielbasa first?
Worst kielbasa and sauerkraut recipe I’ve ever tasted. Way to much sugar! And I mean “way too much”!!!
Kraut ended up so sweet it was inedible.
#1 I can’t believe how many years the reviews, comments or questions go back on just this recipe!
I’m going to try this for my neighbor Octoberfest tomorrow 10/20/2018 if I double the recipe will it all fit in my slow cooker? That should be a service for 20 if yours made 10? Thank you for the recipe and your answers. Pat
Hi Pat, I have a 6.5 quart slow cooker and a double recipe does fit in mine. If you have a smaller size slow cooker it might be a tight fit!
We LOVE this recipe!!! I want to share it with my friends for a freezer meal exchange, but I’m wondering if it is possible to put the whole thing together and freeze it and then just dump it in the crock pot and go! What do you think?
Awful. I should of trad the comments first. DO NOT. I REPEAT DO NOT ADD SUGAR
What is the “Nutritional value” of a serving of this recipe?
Hi Mike, I don’t have the nutritional value, but you can calculate it on a number of sites like My Fitness Pal.
This is a fantastic recipe!!!