Kielbasa and Cabbage is a hearty family favorite for days with a chill in the air. Serve over mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food meal.
Many comfort food recipes are often saved for Sunday suppers, holidays or just any day that you have more time to cook. That is because they usually take some time and can be slightly more complicated. But guess what, I have a quick and easy comfort food meal for you today.
Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet . It’s hearty. It comes together in under 30 and you only need one pan.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
CABBAGE: Green cabbage is great for this recipe! Simply rough chop it.
KIELBASA: It’s a Smoked Polish Sausage. It is traditionally made with beef or pork. To lighten things up you can even use Turkey Kielbasa. I’ve used it before in this recipe and it works just fine.
CARAWAY SEEDS: This totally makes the dish. Caraway seeds have a bittersweet nutty taste that is a bit like anise (black licorice).
GARLIC: Because I mean, obviously. A few cloves will do just fine.
CRUSHED RED PEPPER: For a bit of heat.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Adds a bit of acid. Red wine vinegar would work if you don’t have apple cider.
STEP BY STEP PHOTOS AND INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP #1: In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
STEP #2: Add in crushed red pepper, cabbage, caraway seeds and apple cider vinegar. Cover and cook for 10 – 15 minutes or until cabbage is wilted.
STEP #3: Add kielbasa and continue cooking for 10 more minutes or until sausage is warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
What do you serve this with?
Like I said before this dish is really hearty. If you are low-carb, it’s a great option! But if you really want to make this a comfort food meal for the ages then you have GOT to serve this over creamy mashed potatoes or roasted garlic mashed red potatoes.
Smoked sausages like kielbasa always makes whipping up a meal super easy. Here are some of my favorite recipes using sausages:
Sausage and Mushroom Mac n’ Cheese
Looking for more easy weeknight meals? Check out these:
Note: This post was originally published in 2009. It was updated with step by step photos and nutrition facts in 2020.
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 4 cups roughly chopped cabbage (rinsed)
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper
- 1 package beef or turkey kielbasa (halved lengthwise and then sliced into bite size pieces)
Instructions
- In a skillet large enough to accommodate the cabbage, start by heating olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients except kielbasa. Cover and cook 15 minutes.
- Add the kielbasa and cook another 10 minutes or until the sausage is warmed through.
[…] Get the Recipe: Kielbasa and Cabbage […]
Yay!
I love this recipe and I’m gonna make this very soon
Loved how super easy and delicious this turned out! I like your idea of serving over mashed potatoes; will definitely have to try it like that next time!
Everyone at my house loved it! Such a delicious meal!
My husband and son are going to love this recipe! Can’t wait to make this!
Took your suggestion and served it over roasted garlic potatoes and everyone cleaned their plate at dinner! So easy to make and absolutely delicious!
So tasty and flavorful! I love a good hearty meal
This Kielbasa and Cabbage recipe is looks totally awesome!
I love how easily this comes together! Perfect for a weeknight.
I never thought of putting sausage and, cabbage over mashed potatoes. Yeah! I would even add the noodles, if I wanted that much comfort food, now where’s my slippers, blanket, and, a good movie girls!
This was SO good!! It had an excellent balance and depth of flavor I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t have potatoes, so I substituted mac and cheese (comfort food). I’m definitely going to check out some of your other recipes. Thanks!
Found this recipe after searching for kielbasa via Tastespotting. Made it for dinner tonight and it was delicious and easy. My husband loved it so much it will definitely become a regular dinner in our household. Thanks for sharing!
Chasing the Moon- You’re welcome and thank you! I am happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
Thank you Diane! I hope you like it :)
I typed in Keilbasa in Food Gawker and lo and behold your recipe came up. I have all these ingredients and since we love cabbage and Kielbasa…dinner looks planned to me!!! Nom nom nom! Can’t wait! Thanks for posting this.
PS. Like your blog.
I tried this recipe last night and it was delicious! I’m so happy I found this site and all its inspiring and yummy recipes. Thanks so much!
Olga: Thanks! I totally agree, mashed potatoes make anything better ;-)
Florista: I never thought to put it all in one pot before, that sounds super yummy! Isn’t it great when good comfort food is so easy to make? :)
I boil it up all in one pot: potatoes first, then cabbage, add kielbasa last. Serve in big bowls so to mash up & butter taters, drown cabbage in vinegar. Lots of fresh ground pepper. Husband thinks ‘I cooked!’
oh, that so totally screams comfort! Anything with mashed potatoes is great ;)
Yay! Another cabbage lover! Thanks Mary :)
I love, love, love cabbage. I’ve never thought about cooking it with kielbasa. Of course!