This slow cooker cabbage, apple, and kielbasa is an excellent choice for any time of the year. There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a slow cooked meal on a busy day, and this hearty kielbasa and cabbage stew delivers cozy flavors with minimal effort. Combining tender cabbage, sweet-tart apples, savory kielbasa, and a tangy, sweet-sour broth of vinegar and brown sugar, this dish strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It’s a celebration of humble ingredients coming together to create something delicious.
Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully, infusing the vegetables and kielbasa with a deep, rich taste that only gets better over time. The cabbage becomes soft and flavorful, the apples provide a subtle natural sweetness, and the kielbasa adds a smoky, meaty element, making this dish a complete meal in one pot.
It’s also easy—slice the ingredients, add them to the slow cooker, and press the start button. The crock pot does all the work.
Whether serving it on a chilly weeknight or preparing it as part of a casual weekend meal with friends or family, this recipe is versatile, satisfying, and utterly delicious. Pair it with crusty bread or spoon it over mounds of mashed potatoes for a truly comforting experience.
If you love experimenting, the recipe is endlessly adaptable. You can swap kielbasa for smoked sausage or a plant-based alternative to make it vegetarian. Add a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a spicier kick. Or, stir in some creamy Dijon mustard for extra depth. No matter how you make it, this slow-cooker kielbasa, cabbage, and apples is a classic that’s bound to become a family favorite.
Recipe Variations
- Meat: Use another type of smoked sausage. Chorizo or Andouille could add spice or use a turkey or chicken smoked sausage.
- Vegetables: Make it heartier with diced potatoes, carrots, and celery.
- Spices: Caraway seeds or mustard seeds could enhance the dish’s flavor.
- Beans: Add white beans for a boost of protein and creamy texture.
- Heat: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or fresh peppers for a spicy kick.
What to Serve With the Dish
- Bread: Serve with dinner rolls or crusty bread to soak up the tangy juices.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes complement the smoky slow cooker kielbasa, cabbage, and apples.
- Polenta: Creamy polenta is a comforting dish that pairs nicely with the textures of the kielbasa and cabbage.
- Salad: Add a tossed green salad with a light vinaigrette to provide contrast and balance to the meal.
How to Store
Refrigerate leftover slow cooker kielbasa, cabbage, and apples in a covered container within 2 hours and eat within 3 to 4 days.
Reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop or microwave, stirring periodically to ensure even cooking.
PrintSlow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage, and Apples
With a tangy sauce, kielbasa, apples, and cabbage, this all-in-one slow cooker meal will surely satisfy you.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sausage
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound kielbasa, sliced
- 2 medium apples, cored, sliced
- 1/2 head cabbage, sliced thinly
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the sliced kielbasa, apples, cabbage, onion, brown sugar, apple juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
Credit: Diana Rattray - Put the lid on and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours of until the cabbage and apples are tender.
Credit: Diana Rattray - Serve with crusty bread or rolls. Enjoy!
