These awesome Kielbasa Recipes will inspire you to take your next smoked sausage meal to the next level! Polish sausage is incredibly versatile, so prepare to have your mind blown by just how many sausage supper recipes you can make. From authentic European dishes to fusion food and one-pot comfort meals.
You're going to love these tasty Polish sausage recipes!
They will give you plenty of inspiration for your kielbasa meal, from cabbage and sausage one pot meals and hearty soups, to sandwiches and authentic recipes.
Being such a versatile and budget friendly meat, this epic list of 44 Kielbasa Recipes from creative and authentic, to hearty and healthy.
I've scoured the internet to bring your the BEST Kielbasa Recipes to make the most of your smoked Polish sausage.
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What is Kielbasa?
Kielbasa is a long, U-shaped Eastern European sausage. It is usually smoked and cooked but is sometimes found fresh.
Different countries and regions have their own versions with various meats and seasonings, as well as shapes and lengths.
Although kielbasa is usually considered a Polish sausage, there are similar versions from Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Germany.
In Poland, kielbasa is particularly popular at Easter and for weddings.
Some other names around the world:
- Kiełbasa (Poland)
- Klobása (Czech Republic)
- Kovbasa (Ukraine)
- Kranjska klobasa (Slovenia)
- Kолбаса (Russia)
- Kolbász (Hungary)
- Kielbasa/Polish sausage (USA)
- Kolbassa / Kubasa / Kubie (Canada)
Are kielbasa and Polish sausage the same?
Kielbasa is the Polish word for sausage (kiełbasa), so any meat sausage from Poland, or cured in the Polish style, is a kielbasa. In the Czech Republic, it's called klobása.
In the USA, it usually refers to a U-shaped coarse, smoked sausage.
What is kielbasa made out of?
Traditionally, kielbasa was made out of pork. However, these days it can be made of single meat, or a mix of meats, including pork, beef, chicken, turkey lamb, or veal.
Can you eat Polish sausage raw?
In the USA, kielbasa is usually cooked and smoked before being packaged and sold at grocery stores, unlike brats or raw sausage links, which are sold completely raw.
You can eat cooked kielbasa straight from the package cold (double-check the package to be sure!), however, it is often heated and cooked again before serving, or used in recipes.
How to cook kielbasa
Smoked kielbasa can be served cold or hot; fried, boiled, baked, or grilled. Try cooking it one of these ways for your kielbasa recipes.
- Pan Fry - Slice your kielbasa into ½-inch or 1-inch slices. Then simply add to a non-stick frying pan or skillet over a medium heat and cook for 5-8 minutes, turning often, until browned. Add to non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Grill - Grill your smoked Polish sausage over a medium/high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
- Stove Top - Boil 3-inches of water in a pan, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Note: if the heat is too high, the sausages could burst.
- Baked - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the kielbasa sausages onto a baking pan (or dish). You'll need to poke a few holes in the sausage with a knife (so it doesn't burst), and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the skin is lightly browned and the sausage is heated through.
- Air Fryer - Learn how to cook air fryer kielbasa - it's quick and easy! Just slice and cook for 10 minutes, tossing occassionally.
- Instant Pot - Use your instant pot to cook up polish sausage - try browning the sausage on saute setting, or cook it with cabbage and potatoes on high for 10 minutes. Check out this instant pot kielbasa recipe.
Polish Sausage Recipes
There are so many recipes using Polish sausage! You'll love these tasty appetizers, snacks, meals, and lunches.
Kielbasa Recipes
You're going to love these tasty Kielbasa recipes! From sheet pan dinners and air fryer recipes, to Polish stews and one pot meals.
Cooking Kielbasa in the air fryer makes the smoked sausage deliciously crispy yet tender! In just a few minutes, you'll have perfectly cooked sausage that you can serve as an appetizer, with side dishes, or use in a recipe.
Make this flavor-packed Cabbage and Kielbasa Skillet meal in just 30 minutes! It's budget-friendly, simple and tasty comfort food.
This Slow Cooker Kielbasa recipe is so easy! You'll love the brown sugar, onion and apple cider marinade that gives the kielbasa so much flavor. Then it only takes minutes to put together!
In this classic dish, smoky kielbasa sausage and tangy sauerkraut are cooked with tomatoes and apples. It's a flavor packed meal that's healthy and tasty!
You're going to love this super special mac and cheese! It's made with two types of cheese, and is full of smokey kielbasa sausage too.
Lazanki – Polish noodles with cabbage, kielbasa, and mushrooms
Lazanki is a Polish dish noodles, sauerkraut, sauteed cabbage, mushrooms, and kiełbasa (Polish sausage), plus lots of tasty seasonings. Ready in just 1 hour.
You'll love this twist on the classic Philly Cheesesteak! These kielbasa sandwiches are served up topped with sweet caramelized onions, bell peppers and melting cheese. Similar to cheesesteaks. Perfect for a tailgate or party!
You can make this tasty Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot in just 4 minutes! It's a super quick and easy dinner recipe that's budget-friendly.
Make this tasty and flavorful Kielbasa Soup with plenty of sausage, vegetables, and potatoes. It's a perfect veg-packed soup that's healthier but hearty.
Smokey kielbasa sausage and soft pillows of gnocchi combine in this easy, creamy gnocchi soup. Plus, it's made in the Instant Pot in no time!
This Kielbasa and Potatoes is a classic dish! It's a simple meal with smoked Polish sausage cooked with potatoes and onions. It's sure to become a firm family favorite.
This Creamy Cajun Pasta with Sausage is so easy in the Instant Pot! It's a flavorful meal with pasta, sausage, Cajun spices and more! It’s an easy, tasty meal to make in your electric pressure cooker.
You're going to love this Pierogi Soup with Kielbasa! The soup base is made with hard apple cider beer broth. Add in peppers, onions, smoked sausage and pierogi and you have an easy, tasty and hearty soup!
You only need 25 minutes for this pressure cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut! Sliced German sausage (or kielbasa), potatoes, and sauerkraut combine with bacon, onions, garlic, and beer in this hearty dinner.
Kielbasa, pierogis and brussels sprouts are all cooked on a sheet pan, for this super easy dinner. It's tasty, simple, full of flavor and ready in just 40 minutes.
You'll love this simple one-pan 30 minute dinner! Sautéed Kielbasa, butternut squash, and kale are all cooked in a skillet until tender. A perfect weeknight dinner that’s Whole30, Paleo, and Gluten Free!
In this flavor-packed recipe, grilled kielbasa is served in buns with a tasty sausage and Guinness stout beer cheese sauce! It's perfect for feeding a crowd and every bit as crazy tasty as it looks. Try it for game day!
You only need two simple ingredients for this easy weeknight meal! Fried Sausage and Apples Skillet Meal is simple and full of flavor.
You're going to love this dump-and-go crockpot casserole! Smoked kielbasa sausage, hashbrowns, stock and cheese are all combined into a flavorful meal.
These make-ahead freezer breakfast burritos will make mornings a breeze! They're made with bell peppers, cheese, turkey kielbasa, and cheddar, so the protein-rich breakfast will keep you satisfied all morning.
Make this easy turkey kielbasa and potato sheet pan dinner in under 30 minutes! The simple and healthy one pan meal is Whole 30, gluten free and grain free. It's a tasty, satisfying weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
Whip up this tasty kielbasa appetizer in just 10 minutes with 3 ingredients! Perfect as a party appetizer, or for game day, barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or snacking.
This Ukrainian Breakfast Sandwich has English muffins full of egg, cottage cheese and kielbasa, with tons of flavor from mustard and horseradish!
In this easy dish, kielbasa and cabbage are cooked in apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and mustard, with white beans and spices.
These individual pot pies are full of smoked kielbasa sausage, potatoes, carrots, and peas, all covered in flaky puff pastry.
Make this Sausage Green Bean and Potato Skillet in just 30 minutes! It's a tasty one pan dinner that the whole family will love. This dish combines kielbasa, potatoes, peppers, onions, and a little spice for a filling, flavorful meal.
Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket is a twist on a childhood favorite, with kielbasa, sauerkraut and caramelized onions in a dinner roll!
Make this tasty Kielbasa Stir Fry in just 10 minutes! The ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe. Kielbasa is cooked with peppers and a sweet chili sauce for lots of great flavor.
Żurek is a traditional Polish soup made with sausage, smoked meat, and a sour liquid made from fermented rye flour. Sounds weird? I bet it does, but if only words could describe how delicious it is. The soup is meaty, smokey, thick, creamy, and delightfully sour. It is traditionally eaten at Easter, but is also popular during other parts of the year.
This hearty German inspired soup is ready in under 30 minutes! It's perfect for lunch or weeknight dinner. It's full of nourishing sauerkraut, kielbasa smoked sausage, potatoes and cheese.
Use smoked sausage instead of shrimp in this twist on classic shrimp creole! The kielbasa is simmered in a simple sauce with peppers, tomatoes and onions, with flavorful spices. Serve it over rice for a full meal.
Kielbasa Baked Beans are flavorful and hearty, plus they're ready in under 1 hour. Serve them up as a side dish or spoon them over rice for an easy, satisfying meal.
This tasty one-pan meal of roasted kielbasa and vegetables is ready in just 15 minutes!
Take your hot dogs to the next level with these Kielbasa Hot Dogs! They have smoked sausage, sauteed peppers, spicy arugula and a tangy mustard sauce, all in a bun.
This is a deliciously easy weeknight meal! It's made in one pan in just 25 minutes. Smokey kielbasa, cheese, broccoli and rice all combine in one tasty dinner.
Make this dish of frozen pierogi and kielbasa with red cabbage in just 30 minutes. It's a tasty comfort meal that you'll love.
You only need 30 minutes and a few simple ingredients for this tasty dish! This traditional Ukrainian recipe combines sauerkraut and turkey kielbasa with crushed fennel seeds for an easy to make skillet dish. Enjoy as a main course or side dish.
This fusion dish has all the great flavors of Mexican rice, but with added smokey kielbasa for a pop of flavor and protein.
Smoked Sausage Frittata with Peppers and Onions is an easy skillet recipe that the whole family will love. It's gluten free and full of flavourful kolbassa (kielbasa) sausage and a spicy, peppery kick!
Low Country Boil is made with shrimp, crab, smoked kielbasa sausage, corn and potatoes. They're all cooked up together to create a hearty one-pot dinner that everyone will love. Perfect for feeding a crowd!
You'll love how easy and tasty this Instant Pot Red Beans dish is! Cooked from scratch, this sausage and bean stew is made with fresh veggies and is wonderfully seasoned for a tasty and fuss-free family meal.
Bigos is Polish Hunter's Stew, full of leftover ham, kielbasa, tomatoes and seasonings. It's hearty comfort food. Make sure and have a loaf of rye bread to soak all the juices up with.
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