Kielbasa and Cabbage

Coins of gently browned Kielbasa, a popular smoked sausage, served on cooked cabbage with bell peppers and seasonings makes an easy and delicious meal!

Kielbasa and Cabbage is a simple recipe that can be made in the skillet, crock pot or as a sheet pan meal to make a great keto or low-carb dinner option.

This post is sponsored by Ohio Pork, but all opinions are my own!

Kielbasa and Cabbage Recipe

Cabbage contains a lot of water and while it’s a great source of fiber, cabbage lacks an enjoyable flavor, so Kielbasa is the perfect complement to this common vegetable. The smoky and savory flavors in every bite of Kielbasa or smoked sausage enhance the cabbage.

Unfermented cabbage is a canvas that can be dressed up with your favorite flavors from a red or orange bell pepper to onion or garlic.  I enjoy adding a tablespoon of red wine vinegar and seasoning heavily with salt and pepper at the same time the cabbage is added to the skillet. To cook with sauerkraut check out our recipe for Kielbasa and Sauerkraut.

Slicing your own head of fresh cabbage takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook enough to begin to soften or wilt. Angel hair or a bag of finely shredded green cabbage cooks in just a minute or two in a skillet with browned sausage. Thinner slices or red or green cabbage is likely to have a bit more of a crunch when cooked than thicker pieces.

Potatoes can lend another taste and texture to the meal while providing a starch.  Potatoes take a bit longer to cook so they are the first item to hit the skillet in this recipe as well as in our Cowboy Breakfast Skillet and Sausage, Peppers, Onions and Potatoes Skillet.

Whatever ingredients you choose, the goal is to infuse flavor in the cabbage.  One of our favorite options is to fry bacon in a cast iron skillet and brown the cabbage in the drippings.  

A Protein Packed Meal

As we work out more we’re constantly looking for ways to add more protein to our diet. Kielbasa is very satisfying because of the high protein level, which fuels our bodies and helps us feel full longer.

Every 3 ounces of pork is packed with 22 – 24 grams of protein, depending on the cut.

This is also the type of meal we can feel good about because the pork that sold in grocery stores and used in this recipe comes from family farms like our family! When you buy pork at any store you are supporting 3,500 Ohio family farms and we’re grateful for your support!

Seasonings For Cabbage

Cabbage is a mild vegetable that can be seasoned with a variety of spices and meats including:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Granulated garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Seasoned salt
• Bacon bits or cooked in bacon drippings
• Basil
• Oregano
• Red wine vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar

Tips & Tricks

• Arrange coins or chunks of Kielbasa in a single layer in a skillet to brown
• A whole head of cabbage can be used, but will take longer to cook in the same size of skillet, so use two skillets for a whole head or increase how often it is stirred and how long it cooks
• Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the slices of cabbage
• We prefer fried cabbage over boiled cabbage because so much more flavor can be infused while frying in a skillet
• Season heavily with salt and pepper to maximize flavor in the cabbage and other vegetables
• Potatoes absorb oil while cooking and more oil will often need to be added.  Cabbage cooks fine in the existing oil as long as it is stirred often.
• Can easily be made in a cast iron skillet or skillet of your choice
• Red cabbage may be used but will take a few minutes longer to soften and cook

How to Make Kielbasa and Cabbage

In a skillet over medium high heat brown slices of Kielbasa in 1 – 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Toss until both sides are lightly browned. Set Kielbasa aside on a paper towel lined plate.

Slice cabbage into evenly sized pieces. I find using a mandoline is easiest to create consistent slices of cabbage.

If the skillet is dry add another tablespoon of vegetable oil, but this may not be necessary.

Add shredded cabbage, bell peppers and any other desired vegetables like onion to the skillet. Pour red wine vinegar in the skillet and season generously with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove lid to stir. It will be unlikely, but should the skillet be dry add a bit more vegetable oil. After stirring well replace lid and continue to cook on medium low heat for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Once cabbage is tender return slices of Kielbasa or smoked sausage to the skillet and serve warm.

Cabbage and Kielbasa in the Crock Pot

If you want potatoes with cabbage and Kielbasa, they are easies to make all together in the crock pot. The slow cooker is also more conducive to bite sized chunks of cabbage instead of shredded cabbage that cooks more quickly in a skillet or works well in coleslaw.

Use flavored broth instead of plain water to help infuse all of the flavor in the cabbage possible.

Using a slow cooker is most similar to a boiling method, but is hands off and very easy

Depending on the size of your pieces of potatoes cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. We enjoy adding chopped onion and pieces of red, yellow and orange bell peppers to our crock pot cabbage and Kielbasa too.

Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Cabbage

Cabbage takes on the flavors of other meat and vegetables that is is cooked with so we prefer some additional flavors be cooked along with the Kielbasa and Cabbage. Adding your favorite vegetables to a sheet pan is super easy to do.

Cabbage cooks on a sheet pan at 400°F in the oven for 25 – 30 minutes. Coat the pan and the vegetables with spray olive or avocado oil and season generously with salt or seasoned salt and pepper.

Stir once or twice throughout the 30 minute cooking period and enjoy when the vegetables are tender.

What to Serve with Kielbasa and Cabbage

When we make cabbage in a skillet we like to serve with buttered noodles or Rice Pilaf.

Air Fryer Baby Potatoes or Baked Potatoes are another easy and delicious side dish option.

More Easy Recipes with Kielbasa:

• Polish Casserole – warm noodles tossed with hearty pieces of Kielbasa in a creamy mixture with corn makes a delicious casserole.
• Instant Pot Sauerkraut & Sausage – Smoked and savory sausage, hearty potatoes and unique sauerkraut notes are wonderfully balanced with beer and fresh rosemary.
• Sheet Pan Sausage, Onion, Peppers & Potatoes – My husband loves Kielbasa and we all enjoy roasted vegetables, so this is a great family meal idea that’s made on one easy baking sheet in 30 minutes!
• Smoked Sausage & Cheesy Potato Casserole adds Kielbasa to our favorite cheesy potato casserole!