Crockpot sauerkraut and sausage is a very easy family dinner loaded with the classic combination of kielbasa and sauerkraut sweetened with brown sugar. This easy slow cooker recipe can be prepped in minutes and left to simmer until you are ready to eat!

This is a great recipe for sauerkraut and sausage lovers, and the perfect meal for a cold winter day. My tangy creation is versatile to serve as an entree alongside potatoes or dumplings, or you can simply load it into hoagie buns and chow down! Best of all, each of the simple ingredients get dumped into your crockpot, so there is almost no effort required to make it!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Sauerkraut with juice - You can use a jar of sauerkraut, bagged, or even frement your own.
• Kielbasa Sausage - This delicious recipe works great with any other Polish sausage, or bratwurst as well. Some people change it up by using Italian sausages as well, but this would not be my first choice.
• Yellow onion - Yellow onion or sweet onion are best for this recipe.
• Brown sugar
• Brown mustard - Dijon mustard, or your favorite German mustard will all work well.

How to make it

This easy crockpot sauerkraut and kielbasa recipe is as simple as dumping the sauerkraut, sliced sausage, onion, brown sugar, and mustard into your slow cooker and mixing everything together. The slow cooker is set on high and left to cook the sauerkraut mixture for three to four hours. Alternatively, you can set it on low heat and let it simmer all afternoon.

This dish is ready to eat as soon as the sausage is warmed all of the way through.

Customize this recipe

If you want to add your own personal twist on this slow cooker sauerkraut and sausage recipe, try any of these ideas:

• Drain the sauerkraut juice and add ½ cup of beer, chicken broth, or apple juice instead.
• Add one teaspoon of caraway seeds and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.
• Use smoked sausage, hot dogs, or bratwurst instead.
• Add Yukon gold or red potatoes to make a hearty meal.

How to serve it

This recipe works great served on hoagie buns. If you are planning to use buns I recommend cutting the sausage into bun length strips. Alternatively, the sauerkraut and kielbasa can be served on a plate with potatoes, dumplings, or apple sauce on the side.

How to store leftovers

Leftover sauerkraut and sausage should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator and enjoyed within five days. This is a recipe that can be made in advance. Simply reheat individual servings in the microwave or it can be warmed back up in the slow cooker instead.

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