Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage, and Apples
Enjoy the comfort of a slow-cooked meal with this flavorful combination of cabbage, apples, and kielbasa. A true celebration of humble ingredients.
This slow cooker cabbage, apple, and kielbasa is an excellent choice year-round. 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, apples, savory kielbasa, and a tangy, sweet-sour broth, this dish strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
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 for 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.
What I Love About This Recipe
- Hands-off cooking. Once everything is sliced and added to the slow cooker, the meal cooks entirely unattended. The long, gentle heat melds the flavors and gives you a warm and ready dinner at the end of the day.
- Balanced sweet and tangy flavor. Apples, brown sugar, and apple juice add natural sweetness, while apple cider vinegar cuts through with brightness. The result is a comforting dish that never tastes heavy.
- A full meal in one pot. Protein, vegetables, and fruit cook together, creating a satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup. The cabbage absorbs the juices and becomes incredibly tender.
- Great for budget-friendly cooking. Kielbasa stretches nicely across four servings, and cabbage and apples are inexpensive ingredients that bulk up the dish while contributing excellent flavor and texture.
- Flexible and forgiving. This recipe tolerates ingredient substitutions and variations well—you can adjust sweetness, tanginess, or richness to suit your tastes without affecting the overall success of the dish.
Ingredient Notes
- Kielbasa – Smoked kielbasa provides savory depth and holds its shape well during long cooking. Use pork, beef, turkey, or a combination, depending on what you prefer.
- Apples – Choose firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala. Softer apples break down more and help thicken the sauce.
- Cabbage – Green cabbage softens beautifully and absorbs flavor. Slice it thin enough to wilt evenly but not so thin that it disappears completely.
- Onion – Adds aromatic sweetness as it cooks down. Yellow onions hold up best, but any variety works.
- Brown sugar – Enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and deepens the sauce. Use light or dark brown sugar depending on how caramel-like you want the flavor.
- Apple juice – Creates moisture for slow cooking and reinforces the apple-forward flavor. Unfiltered apple cider can be used for a more robust profile.
- Apple cider vinegar – Brightens the dish and balances sweetness. Adjust to taste if you prefer a sharper tang or a milder finish.
- Salt and pepper – Keep seasoning simple so the produce and kielbasa shine.
Steps to Make Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage, and Apples
- Layer the sliced kielbasa, cabbage, apples, and onion in the slow cooker so the flavors mingle as they cook. Spreading the ingredients evenly helps everything soften at the same rate.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top, then pour in the apple juice and vinegar. This liquid mixture becomes the base of the sweet-tangy sauce that develops as the vegetables break down.
- Season with salt and pepper, then cover the slow cooker. Cooking on low gives the cabbage time to soften fully and the apples time to dissolve into the sauce.
- Cook until the cabbage is tender and the flavors have melded. Stir gently before serving to coat everything in the sauce.
- Serve warm with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered rolls to soak up the flavorful juices.
Pro Tips
- Cut evenly so the cabbage and apples cook at the same rate and do not turn mushy before the kielbasa is fully heated through.
- Use a sweeter apple if you prefer a more caramelized sauce; use a firmer, tart apple for a brighter flavor.
- Reduce liquid slightly if your slow cooker runs hot or if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- Add butter during the last hour of cooking for a richer, silkier broth.
- Taste before serving and adjust vinegar or brown sugar to fine-tune the sweet-tangy balance.
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 leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop, and the cabbage becomes even more tender.
- Freeze the cooled mixture in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of apple juice or broth if the mixture appears too dry.
Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage, and Apples
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: Add the sliced kielbasa, apples, cabbage, onion, brown sugar, apple juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Put the lid on and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or until the cabbage and apples are tender.
- Serve: Transfer to bowls and serve with crusty bread or rolls. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
