Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Method
  • Canning and Preserving
  • Sauerkraut

Here’s how to cook great grilled Polish sausage with sauerkraut and onions! Grill, then simmer with beer and caraway seeds for more flavor. It’s a perfect summer BBQ staple.

By

Elise Bauer

Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated November 28, 2022

Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (2)

Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (3)

Attention sausage and sauerkraut lovers! I think it's time we had our own fan club, don't you?

I nominate my Minnesota-raised father as the honorary chairman of that club. All I have to do is mention the words sausage and sauerkraut, and it doesn't seem to matter what else is involved. He's all over it.

In this case, when I mentioned we were grilling polish sausages and then simmering them in beer with sauerkraut and onions, he couldn't get here fast enough.

Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut, A Summer Standby

Sauerkraut and sausage are great summer grilling party food because you can keep those polish sausages simmering for a couple of hours on the grill, ensuring you have hot food ready throughout the party.

From what I understand, this dish is a summer standby in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Dad thinks it's pretty common in Nebraska too.

I'm just happy it made its way to Northern California. My patio, to be specific. Enjoy!

Perfect Sides for Sauerkraut and Sausage

  • Pickle Slaw
  • Hot Reuben Dip
  • Homemade Rye Bread
  • Oven-Fried Potato Chips
  • German Potato Salad

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Grilled Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time60 mins

Total Time65 mins

Servings4to 6 servings

We recommend jarred fresh sauerkraut (like Bubbies), which you can find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. If you don't have a grill, or this isn't grilling season, you can also put all ingredients into a casserole dish and bake in a 350°F oven for 1 1/2 hours.

Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 pounds sausage, either kielbasa or bratwurst

  • 1 to 2 (12-ounce) cans light (not dark) beer

  • 2 to 3 cups sauerkraut

  • 2 medium yellow onions, thickly sliced

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed

  • 1 tablespoon caraway seed

  • Mustard, for serving

Method

  1. Prepare the grill:

    Heat the grill to medium heat.

  2. Grill the sausages:

    Place sausages on the heated grill and allow them to brown well. Be patient; do not be tempted to grill the links over high heat or they will break open and the juices and fat will drain into the grill. (They may break open anyway, but they'll break less if you cook them slowly.)

    Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (4)

  3. Heat the beer with celery seed, caraway seeds, and salt:

    While the sausages are cooking, put an aluminum grilling pan on a cooler part of the grill and pour in the beer. Stir in the celery and caraway seeds and salt. Bring to a simmer. (This may require covering the grill.)

  4. Add the sausages and sauerkraut:

    Once the sausages are browned add the sausages, sauerkraut, and sauerkraut juices to the pan with the beer.

    Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (5)

    Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (6)

  5. Grill the onions:

    Paint the sliced onion with the vegetable oil and grill on direct heat. If your grates are too wide, and you think you will lose too much onion through the grates, you can either skip the grilling part and put the onions directly into the beer bath.

    Or, you can cut the onions in halves or quarters and grill them that way. Then slice them and add them to the beer.

  6. Cover the grill and simmer:

    Simmer (not boil) for 30 minutes to 2 hours before serving. Cut the sausages into serving sized pieces before serving.

    Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (7)

    Serve as is in a bowl or on a plate, or in a sandwich roll. Serve with mustard on the side.

  • Comfort Food
  • Sauerkraut
  • Kielbasas
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
854Calories
70g Fat
21g Carbs
30g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories854
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 70g90%
Saturated Fat 23g113%
Cholesterol 165mg55%
Sodium 3390mg147%
Total Carbohydrate 21g8%
Dietary Fiber 4g13%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 49mg245%
Calcium 146mg11%
Iron 4mg22%
Potassium 948mg20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Grill Up Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, A Classic Summer Standby (2024)

FAQs

What to eat with Polish sausage and sauerkraut? ›

Try one of these 15 best side dishes to make with brats and sauerkraut that everyone in the family will love!
  1. Almost Homemade Baked Mac & Cheese.
  2. Italian Broccoli.
  3. Grilled Corn.
  4. Classic Crispy Roasted Potatoes.
  5. Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Italian Pasta Salad.
  7. Greek Salad.
  8. Twice Baked Potato Cups.
Nov 8, 2022

What is the best way to cook Polish kielbasa? ›

Preheat the oven to 375 to 425 degrees F. You can roast the kielbasa in one big piece or cut it up any way you like. Place it on a greased baking sheet and roast until it's browned and heated all the way through, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the temperature and the size of your pieces.

How long to grill fully cooked Polish sausage? ›

One of the best ways to prepare and enjoy a Polish kiełbasa is to simply grill it and enjoy it on its own! If you're cooking it on the grill simply place your sausages on your grill once it's heated and ready and cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until it has a light char and golden color.

Is Polish sausage and sauerkraut good for you? ›

Here's why a quality sausage like McLean's Turkey Kielbasa, when eaten with sauerkraut, is the perfect meal: the combo is packed with protein and probiotics, and is super low in calories and carbs.

Is sauerkraut a German or Polish dish? ›

Although it is considered a national dish in Germany and is known under its German name in English-speaking countries, it did not originate in Germany and is also a traditional and ubiquitous dish in Central and Eastern Europe.

What can I eat with sauerkraut to make it taste better? ›

Bagel and lox: Sauerkraut adds a caper-like zing to a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Not to mention a gut healthy zing! Cheese plate: Sauerkraut seamlessly stands in for olives or pickles on an artisan cheese plate. Try pairing it with aged gouda and some crusty sourdough bread.

What is the difference between kielbasa and Polish sausage? ›

In Poland, the term kielbasa can be used to refer to breakfast links, spicy Italian sausage, and smoked sausage flavored with garlic and marjoram. However, in the United States, “Polish sausage” and “kielbasa” are often used to refer to the same type of sausage.

Should you poke holes in kielbasa? ›

Sure, some recipes suggest that you poke or score the casings, because it might prevent the sausages from bursting at the ends, while helping the interior cook slightly faster and more evenly. However, you should skip that step and simply cook the sausages at the right temperature for the proper amount of time.

How long to grill kielbasa? ›

Cut kielbasa into 3-inch lengths and butterfly lengthwise. Place on hot grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side turning frequently, charring all sides.

How do you know when Polish sausage is done? ›

Check for an internal temp between 160 and 165 °F (71 and 74 °C). In general, all sausages should be in this range. If your sausage is not, it needs more cook time.

Should I cut kielbasa before grilling? ›

Grill: Place kielbasa on a hot grill for a total of 25 minutes, flipping often. Do not cut the kielbasa as this will cause it to leak.

Can you grill raw Polish sausage? ›

Whatever type you prefer is fine, you can simply pick up a pack at the grocery store or challenge yourself by making your own. Take the sausage and place it on the grill over medium heat and allow the sausage to cook evenly throughout, getting the nice grill marks on both sides.

What does sauerkraut do for your bowels? ›

Sauerkraut also has a high fiber content that helps with constipation by making stools softer, and simultaneously increasing its mass and volume. This bulkiness makes for easier passage through the digestive tract and quicker elimination.

What does eating sauerkraut everyday do to your body? ›

Improves overall health

Because sauerkraut is high in folate, it has a variety of health advantages. It is healthy for the gum health. Furthermore, the risk of heart disease and stroke is reduced. Folate is required for cell division and DNA creation.

What does sauerkraut do to your gut? ›

Sauerkraut contains probiotics, which can help support digestion by improving your gut flora, or the bacteria that live in your gut. Sauerkraut also contains fiber, which can help reduce your risk of constipation and have more regular bowel movements.

What's a good side dish for Polish sausage? ›

The best side dishes to serve with kielbasa are polenta, mac and cheese, applesauce, scalloped potatoes, green beans casserole, cabbage soup, potato salad, shepherd's pie, cauliflower cheese soup, fried onions, polish potato pancakes, bigos, cucumber salad, sauerkraut, coleslaw and grilled vegetables.

How is Polish sausage traditionally served? ›

Smoked kiełbasa can be served cold, hot, boiled, baked or grilled. It is used in soups such as żurek (sour rye soup), kapuśniak (cabbage soup), or grochówka (pea soup), baked or cooked with sauerkraut, or added to bean dishes and stews (notably bigos, a Polish national dish).

What do Polish people eat kielbasa with? ›

On weekdays, parties or during Christmas or Easter, Polish cold hams and sausages are traditionally served in cuts with cold side accompaniments: pickled mushrooms, gherkins, spicy horseradish, ćwikła (a mixture of shredded beets and horseradish), tartare sauce, mustard, root vegetable salad.

What is kielbasa traditionally served with? ›

It is also used as an addition to dishes such as kapuśniak (cabbage soup). Cooked kielbasa is traditionally accompanied by sauerkraut or fried onions.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5535

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.