Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage is an easy family-friendly meal combining smoked chicken or polish sausage, potatoes, carrots, onions, and sauerkraut in a honey Dijon mustard base.
Winter has clearly arrived. It is in full force here and I think the high today is around five degrees Fahrenheit. One can never have enough great slow cooker recipes for days like this. Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage is a two-step slow cooker recipe as the sausage needs to be added to the cooker after about three hours or it will cook too long and dry out. This delicious easy recipe combines chicken smoked sausage, potatoes, onions, carrots, and sauerkraut in a sweetened honey mustard chicken broth. The sweetness cooks in it all day. It is the perfect winter meal that is full of hearty good-for-you food.
How do you make Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage?
Start by cutting your carrots, onions, and potatoes. Now add the cut vegetables and the sauerkraut to the slow cooker. Next in a small bowl whisk together the chicken broth, cracked pepper, honey, and Dijon mustard. Pour the mixture over the vegetables in the crock pot. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or until the vegetables begin to soften. Now cut your smoked sausage into large bite-size pieces and add them to the slow cooker. Gently stir so they are mixed in with the vegetables. Cook for an additional 1 1/2- 2 hours or until everything is tender and the sausages have heated and plumped up a little bit from the moisture.
Slow cookers are so awesome. They are perfect in the summer because they do not heat the house up and they are perfect in the winter for providing an easy way to throw together a good hearty comfort food recipe. The perfect meal that makes the house smell like your own personal chef has been cooking the ultimate recipe for you all day.
Tips for making Sauerkraut and Sausage
- For a more aesthetically appealing dish peel the carrots so the orange color is cleaner and more vibrant.
- There are so many great smoked sausage options these days. I personally like the smoked chicken sausages however Polish sausage is also a delicious option. Try to pick a more natural sausage that is free of nitrates/nitrites.
- Slow cookers vary in cooking time. Keep an eye on the pot and plan ahead with some leeway. You can always turn the crock pot to warm and hold dinner for a few minutes.
- Sauerkraut and sausage are very salty so do not add any salt to the slow cooker.
Do you love your crock pot as much as I do? What is your favorite recipe to cook in the crock pot? This Slow Cooker Sausage Sauerkraut and Potatoes could easily become one of your favorites. It is amazingly easy, dependable and so darn tasty!
Other slow cooker recipes you will love!
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe
- Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Sauce
- Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
- Crock Pot Apple Butter
- Crock Pot Cashew Chicken
This post was originally published on January 1, 2018, and was republished on August 21, 2019, with new content.
Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage
Ingredients
- 3 large carrots peeled and cut into bite size chunks
- 1 large onion cut in half and thinly sliced
- 4-6 small red potatoes cut in eights
- 1 14 ounce can sauerkraut
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 12 ounces smoked chicken sausage chunked in large bite size pieces
Instructions
- Place carrots, onions, potatoes, and sauerkraut in the crock pot.
- In a small bowl whisk together chicken broth, cracked pepper, honey, and Dijon mustard. Pour over vegetables in the crock pot. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or until vegetables have started to soften.
- Add sausage and stir gently to combine. Cook on high for additional 1 1/2-2 hours or until vegetables are fork tender and the sausage is warm. Serve promptly or reduce heat to warm and hold dinner for 30 minutes.
Nutrition
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Barb
I’m planning on doubling the recipe. Do I add more cooking time. Also will it fit in a 6qt. Crockpot. Planning on making it tomorrow. Thank you.
Beth Pierce
Sorry, Barb! I have been so busy. I had a Christmas party. Did you add just a few more minutes? I am pretty sure that it would fit a 6 quart crockpot. I hope it all went well.
Debbie
Can I leave the honey out? I am not big on sweet sauerkraut.
Beth Pierce
Yes you can.
Debbie Culler
Can I leave the honey out? I am not big on sweet sauerkraut.
Beth Pierce
Yes you can.
Ree
I hardly ever comment on recipes but had to with this one. Absolutely delicious and easy! I didn’t have any Dijon so I used regular mustard instead. I also only had Bavarian sauerkraut and what a pleasant surprise this meal was. Even my adult kids ate it for lunch the next day and I had some with two fried eggs on top for breakfast- delicious! It’s in our favorite recipe box.
Thank you for posting this.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Ree! So glad that you liked it!
Nancy
This has been cooking for 4 hours. Potatoes & carrots are still hard on high. Maybe adjust times! Not going to be done in time for supper! Uh oh!
Beth Pierce
Sorry to hear that Nancy. Yes I will take a look at the times on that recipe. Thanks for the heads up.
Sharon
Are you draining the sauerkraut or just putting it in as is? I think this will be my second meat dish this Thanksgiving.
Beth Pierce
Do not drain. Just pour it in as is.
Kat
Thanks for the recipe. Plan to make today. Do you think sweet potatoes would work?
Beth Pierce
I think sweet potatoes might break down too much. Let me know if you tried it and what the results were!
Rachel
Are you suppose to drain the sauerkraut???
Beth Pierce
No the juice helps provide moisture in the slow cooker.
Julie
Made this for a family reunion and it was a huge hit! I doubled the recipe and was able to send some home w/ my dad and son-in-law. So easy and loved the taste!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Julie! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Krissy Allori
Absolutely delicious meal! My family loved it.
Chelsea
This dish is absolutely amazing!! Everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Kristyn
Delicious meal! It’s filling & has tons of flavor! It hits the spot!
lauren kelly
This si such a great recipe! We left out the carrots and it was still quite delicious! Thank you!
Jessica
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Krystal martin
I never rate recipes but this one is hands down one of my favorites. I’m bummed because I didn’t have carrots but I will be making it again so no worries. Also I just used russet potatoes and will actually continue using them because the flavor in those potatoes was spectacular! No butter needed!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Krystal. I am so happy that you liked it. We love this recipe too! Such great comfort food!
Donna
How can I convert the slow cooker time to INSTA POt pressure cooker time
Cynthia S Knox
I did a half recipe without the potatoes and cooked it at high pressure in the instant pot for 7 minutes. I doubled the chicken broth to make sure there was enough liquid for pressure cooking. Delish!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Cynthia! So glad that you liked it and thanks for the tip!