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Kielbasa and Cabbage

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.

Overhead photo of cabbage and kielbasa in a skillet.
What Ingredients Do You Need?

Sliced kielbasa on a wooden cutting board.

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.

Sauteed cabbage in a pan.

STEP #3: Add kielbasa and continue cooking for 10 more minutes or until sausage is warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Sauteed cabbage and kielbasa in a skillet.

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.

Kielbasa and cabbage with mashed potatoes in a white bowl.

Smoked sausages like kielbasa always makes whipping up a meal super easy. Here are some of my favorite recipes using sausages:

Andouille Sheet Pan Dinner 

Cajun Breakfast Skillet

Sausage and Mushroom Mac n’ Cheese

Cheesy Kielbasa Casserole

Kielbasa and Potatoes

Looking for more easy weeknight meals? Check out these:

Roast Beef Mushroom Sliders

Jerk Chicken Pasta

Capellini Pomodoro

Fried Cod

Artichoke Chicken

Note: This post was originally published in 2009. It was updated with step by step photos and nutrition facts in 2020.

Side angle photo of kielbasa and cabbage in a skillet.

Kielbasa and Cabbage

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. 
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 313 kcal

Ingredients
  

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.

Notes

Nutrition information for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 10.1gProtein: 16.1gFat: 23.6gSaturated Fat: 7.6gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 1377mgFiber: 2.4gSugar: 2.9g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: apple cider vinegar, cabbage, caraway seeds, crushed red pepper, garlic, kielbasa, turkey kielbasa

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Delores Carter
    August 28, 2021 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe and I’m gonna make this very soon

    • Reply
      Deseree
      August 31, 2021 at 5:40 pm

      Yay!

  • Reply
    Sara Welch
    September 22, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    5 stars
    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!

  • Reply
    Toni Dash
    September 22, 2020 at 8:53 am

    5 stars
    Everyone at my house loved it! Such a delicious meal!

  • Reply
    Beth
    September 22, 2020 at 6:59 am

    5 stars
    My husband and son are going to love this recipe! Can’t wait to make this!

  • Reply
    Jen
    September 22, 2020 at 4:57 am

    5 stars
    Took your suggestion and served it over roasted garlic potatoes and everyone cleaned their plate at dinner! So easy to make and absolutely delicious!

  • Reply
    Vikki
    September 21, 2020 at 10:20 pm

    5 stars
    So tasty and flavorful! I love a good hearty meal

  • Reply
    Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
    September 21, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    5 stars
    This Kielbasa and Cabbage recipe is looks totally awesome!

  • Reply
    Dorothy Reinhold
    September 21, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    I love how easily this comes together! Perfect for a weeknight.

  • Reply
    Joyce
    February 19, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    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!

  • Reply
    Kim
    February 4, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    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!

  • Reply
    Erin Andrews
    March 10, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    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!

  • Reply
    Diane
    January 5, 2010 at 10:25 am

    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.

  • Reply
    Chasing the Moon
    January 5, 2010 at 5:52 am

    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!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      January 6, 2010 at 6:07 pm

      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 :)

  • Reply
    FloristaThorne
    March 12, 2009 at 9:06 am

    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!’

    • Reply
      Deseree
      March 12, 2009 at 1:37 pm

      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? :)

  • Reply
    Olga
    March 12, 2009 at 7:18 am

    oh, that so totally screams comfort! Anything with mashed potatoes is great ;)

  • Reply
    Mary
    February 19, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    I love, love, love cabbage. I’ve never thought about cooking it with kielbasa. Of course!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      February 20, 2009 at 9:45 am

      Yay! Another cabbage lover! Thanks Mary :)

    Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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