Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic
In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté the onions until they’re soft and translucent (about 4–5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. This step gives the dish a deeper, caramelized flavor.
Step 3: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
- Place the drained sauerkraut at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the sautéed onions and garlic on top.
- Layer the browned sausage over the vegetables.
- Add sliced apple if using, for a subtle sweetness.
- Sprinkle paprika, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper evenly over the top.
- Pour chicken broth over everything.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat for 6–8 hours, or high heat for 3–4 hours. Cooking slowly allows the flavors to meld, making the sausage tender and infusing the sauerkraut with rich, smoky goodness.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Before serving, taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color and a hint of freshness. Serve hot, ideally with mashed potatoes, rye bread, or a simple mustard on the side.
Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Polish Sausage
- Don’t over-rinse the sauerkraut – a light rinse reduces excess saltiness but keeps that signature tang.
- Add apples or bell peppers for a sweet balance against the sour kraut.
- Use smoked sausage for extra depth, or try a mix of smoked and fresh for variety.
- Leftovers improve overnight – the flavors intensify when refrigerated and reheated.
Why This Recipe Works
The slow cooker method allows the sausage to gently release its fats and flavors, which mix beautifully with the natural tang of sauerkraut. The optional apple adds sweetness, balancing acidity, while caraway seeds and paprika deepen the aroma. The result is a meal that feels rustic yet refined, hearty, and incredibly satisfying.
This Slow Cooker Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut recipe isn’t just easy—it’s a one-pot comfort meal that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your taste buds happy. Perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend dinner, it’s a dish that hits all the cozy food notes: savory, tangy, slightly sweet, and wonderfully filling.
If you want, I can also make a shortcut version of this recipe that uses only pantry ingredients and requires zero skillet browning, keeping it 100% slow-cooker friendly. This could save you 15–20 minutes of prep time.
Do you want me to make that version too?
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