CROCKPOT SAUSAGE, SAUERKRAUT AND POTATOES
Crock pot sausage sauerkraut and potatoes is an easy dish to make for your family and friends. This makes a lot so serve it at any gathering. We love this easy crock pot recipe! Sauerkraut and potatoes just seem to go together. Add some Polish sausage and you have a meal in a pot! This is real comfort food and my family is all about comfort food. We love easy crock pot recipes and this one is definitely a keeper. You can cut this recipe in half or double it for a group of people. This dish is even better the next day after it has been refrigerated overnight.
Ingredients Needed for Crock pot sausage sauerkraut and potatoes:
Sauerkraut
Potatoes
Water
Polish sausage
Caraway seeds
Bay leaf
Pepper
As you can see this dish is very simple ingredients but it is loaded with flavor. You can also switch out the water and use chicken broth. Adjust the water to make sure you have enough as it can vary, some sauerkraut has a lot of moisture and some doesn’t so use what works for you.
This dish is wonderful with a pan of cornbread muffins or fried cornbread! It’s really a must have.. so definitely make one or the other!
Recipe Feedback: “Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! We made two crock pots of this and your cornbread muffins for watching the game on Saturday! None left! Everyone loved it!” – Mary
“I usually make smoked sausage in the skillet and serve mashed potatoes and sauerkraut on the side. But I tried this recipe and I may never go back! Love it and so easy. It’s forgiving too lol… I forgot the water and the caraway seeds and it was still delicious!”-Christy
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Crock Pot Sausage, Sauerkraut and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 14 ounce cans sauerkraut, undrained (or 1 (2 pound) bag)
- 5 or 6 potatoes peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1 cup water
- 1 pound Polish sausage cut into chunks (could use smoked sausage)
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place sauerkraut and potatoes in crock pot, add spices and water. Place sausage on top and cook 4 hours on high (6 hours on low) until potatoes are done. Makes 6 to 8 serving. Enjoy this easy crock pot recipe!
Notes
The beauty of this dish is that everyone I know makes it a bit differently and Ive never had a batch I didnt like.
Only thing that I would mention. If your using a raw sausauge you may need to cook a bit longer depending on your S Cooker or take the time to brown the sausauge in a skillet. Browning actually adds a bit more depth to the entire dish and I prefer to brown with an onion then mix with the other ingredients. We sometimes add carrots, turnips, celery, even beets if your into them.
I love it
Can I freeze this
Yes.. I would think you could.. I have never tried it but see no reason why you couldnt.
My husband remembers his mother making a similar meal when he was young. The aroma and taste brought back a lot of good memories. Delicious!!
I am married to a wonderful Polish man for 55 years now. We have been making a similar crockpot recipe for years.
We add sliced carrots, (adds color), slices of apple, sliced onions, a clove of garlic, & apple juice instead of water. We also squeeze the kraut to eliminate the brine.
We don’t use caraway or bay, but we might start that now…just never thought of it.
I am half German too, so our recipe is right up there as one of my favorites. Our kids are all grown now, but we still make a crockpot full…great as left-overs too. What a great “any time of the year” recipe!
This is the first time I have ever commented on your site, but I love your recipes! I might be 75, but my husband & I still cook at home. Your recipes are down home, easy to make, & for REAL people! Love it! Keep them coming.
Thank you so much Connie for the kindest comment and we are so thrilled you are enjoying our recipes! I’m going to try it your way.. it sounds delicious!
I love this recipe! I make it often.
We really enjoy this simple recipe. We do add thin sliced or diced sweet onions. Also, we do not add the sausage at the start. Instead, we add precooked polish sausage or kielbasa cut into chunks about an hour before the meal is finished cooking. We found that if we cook the precooked sausage the entire length of time as written, the sausage swells up and cracks, and the texture is very mushy and unappealing. Add the meat towards the end and wow, this dish is very satisfying. If you are thinking that you do not want to wait another hour for the sausage to heat through after you get home from a long day, just cook the potato/sauerkraut mixture the full time and then when you get home, heat your sausage hunks in the microwave. Then just toss them into the slow cooker to soak up some of the yummy juice while you set the table, and it will still be a delicious meal.
This is the first time I have ever made this and saying it is WONDERFUL is an understatement!!! As simple as the recipe is, you keep thinking how good it is and want more!! I just want to say THANK YOU for all of your recipes. Look forward to your magazine!!
We are thrilled to hear this was a hit! We love this classic too. We hope you love the magazine! Thank you for your support.
First time making this recipe,but won’t be the last. It was yummy and so easy.
We love this! I layer the potatoes, then sauerkraut then the sausage.
No water or bay leaf. The sauerkraut juice gives the potatoes a wonderful flavor.
What size slow cooker works best for everyone? TIA
You want to put it in whichever one will hold it.. I think a 4 quart would work but I probably use my 6 quart when I make this.
This is really delicious and so easy. I made a couple of adjustments: I substituted dark craft beer for the 1 cup of water and added 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Everybody loved it! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe
Thanks for this idea!
Great idea! Thanks!
This was delicious. Won’t make sauerkraut, sausage, and potatoes any other way from now on. Added some lipton onion soup mix to it instead of caraway seeds since i didn’t have any.
I make the same thing and love it but I add a little bit of liquid smoke for an extra flavor boost
I have been making this recipe for years and it’s one of my all time favorites. Love the smell in the house while this is cooking in the crock pot and it’s always so tempting to dig in before it’s done. You can add a chicken bouillon cube to cut down on the tartness of the kraut if so desired. When using sausage (polish, kielbasa, etc.) that has already been cooked / smoked, it only needs to be reheated and does not need to be put in at the same time with the kraut and potatoes. It will expand if you do, still tastes good but not visually appealing. I usually throw it on top for the last hour or so when cooking on high.
Absolutely delicious, me and my partner loved this, we have almost weekly now. We’re from the UK and it’s not a casserole that’s really made here but it should be more well known! I love your simple and homely recipes, pork and white beans next for the slow cooker!
So glad you enjoy them!!
Grew up eating a similar recipe using hot dogs — weiners & homemade sauerkraut. Start the potatoes in a pot on the stove (no slow cooker in 50s), when potatoes are about half done, put in the hot dogs and cover with the sauerkraut and cook till taters done. Wieners and sauerkraut, still my favorite comfort food today.
I used Butterball turkey sausage and did not add the caraway seeds because I didn’t have any. I sprinkled a little cumin in there because I looked up what to use instead of caraway seeds. it was still actually delicious. I am going to save this recipe and make this again! I used the bag of Kraut.
Love this meal, i added garlic and bay leaves and some brown sugar….delicious.
Thank you.
I have made this for years exactly as your recipe. Kids are all grown and I’m all by myself but I still make it only I half the recipe. The grown sons still request this simple comfort meal when they come home. Cornbread or biscuits as a side and cold beer and you have an event! And an Apple pie for dessert! (This recipe can be made in a skillet too. ) But smelling it cook in a crockpot is half the fun!
Ok I usually boil potatoes on the side. After reading reviews, I’m putting them in with everything else! Thank You!
I have done this for years,
I use raw sausage, or ribs or chops. add some garlic , and onion carrots chunks,, and quartered potatoes into the mix. or even hot dogs. you simply cannot make it wrong. I use what ever sausage I have on hand even english bangers. turn on and let cook until meat and veg are fully cooked.
A true crowd pleaser.
I usually make smoked sausage in the skillet and serve mashed potatoes and sauerkraut on the side. But I tried this recipe and I may never go back! Love it and so easy. It’s forgiving too lol… I forgot the water and the caraway seeds and it was still delicious!
So glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe is simple to make and absolutely delicious! We had it yesterday for New Years Day and followed the directions and it was perfect. Did you forget to plug in your crockpot? It should never take 12 hours to cook potatoes in a crock pot.
First time I made this in my crockpot, the potatoes never got done. It’s not the recipe…my crockpot just doesn’t cook chunky potatoes. So, I finished it on top of the stove. We loved it! As a matter of fact, we are having it again tonight…
My momma made this dish all the time when I was little. I just made it using your recipe for New Year’s Day. Tastes just like hers. Thank you!
Thank you Kate! This recipe has been around a long time, so thrilled that you enjoyed it.
This was terrific. My mom always used a ham hock but sausage was great. What wine do you recommend with this? Thank you.
LOVE this recipe!!!
I make something Similar but I make mashed potatoes on the side instead.
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! We made two crockpots of this and your cornbread muffins for watching the game on Saturday! None left! Everyone loved it!
We love this one too! So easy and wonderful comfort food!
Sorry to be a wet blanket since your website seems so nice, but this was a huge disappointment.
In hindsight, I should have browned the sausages for extra flavor and added late in the game. As it was, they were mushy and tasteless.
The good news is I didn’t have to peel the potatoes. I had some small Yukon Golds, so I just cut them up into bite-sized pieces. Worked great…except they were also tasteless. Should have seasoned them first.
The most disappointing part was actually the onions. Thing is, I love onions. But after hours in the crockpot, these had a slimy texture.
Frankly, it blows my mind that so many people think this is a fab dish. But different strokes….
This recipe doesn’t call for onions and has plenty of seasonings. Not sure which recipe you made, but sounds like you changed this one to suit you and it didn’t work out.
Pat, LOL No need to “apologize”, I’m guessing from your comment that you thrive on being a wet blanket 🙂
I had a jar of sauerkraut in the pantry that I wanted to use so I tried it with Italian sausage (because we are in quarantine and that’s what I have). Didn’t cut it, didn’t brown it, didn’t cook it and it’s fine. I would have liked to use boiling potatoes but all I had was russet and that worked great. (Not mushy.) I used flat champagne instead of water (again, in quarantine and trying to use up what I have without wasting food). And I didn’t have caraway seeds and was not going to risk my life to go the the grocery store to buy them 🙂
I have been trying many new recipes lately and making lots of substitutions. I am grateful for sites that this that give recipe guidelines that I can work with. I had no idea what to do with the sauerkraut.
My family is very happy with the way it turned out, but then, as I said, we are all feeling very grateful these days.
Stay safe everyone
And if you have a negative comment to make try to say it a little bit nicely. A lot of people are suffering right now and there is no reason to add to it.
Hi Donna,
We so appreciate you! Thank you so much for your comment.
I’ve got this in my crockpot now. It always amazes me how people change a recipe and complain about how it turns out. Or else they say how wonderful it is when they’ve changed it. I don’t think anyone should comment unless they’ve followed the recipe as is. Just my opinion. Can’t rate as I didn’t follow it exactly. I used garlic sausage as that’s what I had.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
To Pat
This recipe does not have onions in it! Are you reading the right recipe? Sounds as if you should just find another recipe instead of trashing this one.
Can I use Italian sausage in this recipe?
I’m sure you could but if your sausage is uncooked, I would cook it before adding it to the slow cooker.
Curiosity, but why cook the sausage before? Browning adds flavor? You don’t want the fat/grease from the sausage in the crockpot simmering with the recipe?
I looks like the time stated in the recipe is enough to cook the sausage.
Just trying to learn.
Thanks
You are welcome to cook the sausage before if you like. The sausage is already cooked, it’s not raw. This recipe has never been greasy. All recipes are versatile, you can always do it the way you like.
How would the flavor be affected if I don’t use the caraway seeds? My husband cannot have seeds, and I think he would love this!
I’ve made it without and it was still delicious! Enjoy!
I want to make a 6 quart crock pot of this do I just double the contents and a just my cook time
Yes, I would try that. It may take a little less than double to fill a six quart but you can adjust if you need too. I would just use the same time on the crockpot.
I brown the meat first in butter, and you can use any kind of dog or sausage. Then I sauté 1 chopped onion til tender. Transfer to crockpot then Add the sauerkraut , 1/2-3/4 cup white wine instead of water and 1 tsp. Salt, caraway seeds, 1/2 tsp thyme,& 1/4 tsp. Blk. pepper. Add the sausages and or dog and potatoes. Cook for4-6 hrs. Til potatoes are tender.
I was thinking perhaps I could partially precook the potatoes and then brown brats before putting into a crockpot. I use to make this recipe in the oven and the sauerkraut married into the potatoes and were to die for. It was called The Wurst Dish.
grew up eating but my mom used hotdogs not sausage
What size Crock-Pot?
I use a 3 quart crock pot but you can use a larger one if you like.
I have a similar recipe but this one looks better. Based on that recipe, do you think the recipe would benefit if I used beer instead of water? Had anyone tried doing that? If yes, how did it come out?
I have not tried using beer Leslie but it might be good. Let us know if you try it.
This looks so nostalgic! It reminds me exactly of a recipe my grandpa used to make for the family when I visited him when I was younger! We would always have sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes as a family dinner. I can’t wait to make this at home and revisit that nostalgia! Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful memory! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you enjoy the recipe. Have a wonderful weekend.
Would it be ok to add onions and chicken stock or should i not
I see no reason why you can’t do that Kathy. I think it would be fine to add those ingredients.
I’m making this right now as we speak. I added a little bit of brown sugar and I added carrots. Follow the entire rest of the recipe as it says. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome. Enjoy!
Well final product is potatoes not done. Bummer……. really great taste other wise.
At what altitude are you
I also added carrots and Splenda brown sugar 2tbs. Love it!!!!
I have only made it by the recipe.
It sounds like there was something wrong with your potatoes or your crock pot is not getting hot enough. I don’t think it had anything to do with the recipe when you can’t get the potatoes to cook even on the stove.
Would it be ok to use polska kielbasa instead?
Yes you can, Tammy.
Per my great-grandmother who hailed from the old country, we sprinkle a little light brown sugar on top too. To die for!
Mmmm do u do this while it’s cooking or just before being served?
I have this recipe in the crockpot and if it tastes half as good as it smells it will be delish.
I love sauerkraut and the flavor of caraway, but hate biting into the seed. I put the caraway in a teaball and throw it in. Great flavor and you don’t have to deal with the seeds. I also use the teaball in my lasagne sauce for fennel seeds. Again, great flavor but bitter seeds.
What a great idea to put the caraway seeds in a tea strainer! I will do this from now on, too! Thanks Betty.
I have two crock-pots cooking right now! One for my husband and I. One for my daughter and son-in-law. Smells so good,can’t wait for dinner! Thanks for the recipe!
Hello, I am new to the cooking world with a crock pot, can i leave it on low all day for about 8 hours? Should i add some extra water ? I am making it tomorrow morning before i leave for work. Thank !!
You might add about 1/4 cup extra water. It should be o.k. though.
My mother made this growing up and during last few minutes she would use Bisquit. And make drop dumplings from the drop biscuit recipe and drop them on top, put lid back on til done. Oh so good! They take on the taste of sauerkraut so fluffy and good. Everyone I make the for just loves them!
This was really easy and delicious!!
Saw the recipe on FB and shared with my FB friends. Since I loved all the ingredients and had it, I came home and prepared this. Sill cooking it, but I can’t wait until it’s done. Actually made my mouth water! I know I’m going to have a terrific dinner this evening! Thanks for sharing!!!! 🙂
Just made this for my husband, he loved it!
I make this quite often but I also add an apple quartered twice over and a cup of apple juice. Gives it a slightly sweet flavor. This is also good using boneless country style pork ribs instead of sausage or even brats.
Do I have to use caraway seeds and bay leafs I don’t have any
No, you don’t Melissa.
I made sauerkraut for the first time and it should be ready in about another week. Can’t wait to try this!!
Heading to the store now for ingredients. My husband posted this to my page and asked me to PLEASE make this lol
Can shredded cabbage be use instead of the Kraut it is bitter but I guess I could add the sugar as some-one suggested
I add a dab of brown sugar.
Thank you for all your hard work. I hope people appreciate all that you have done. How many times have a bought cook books and found only 1 recipe I really liked. What a waste of my money. Everything you have posted that I have tried has been excellent. Thank you again and it is FREE! Goodness, one can’t go wrong with that!
I’ve been making this for years, but mine is a little different. I use bavarian kraut instead of regular sauerkraut and I also add an apple cut into slices and a cup of apple juice. It’s a great variation. Also good with brats instead of polish sausage.
I have this in the crockpot right now. Thank you for the recipe. ( I’m making it just like you wrote, not sure why people feel the need to post how they changed it on YOUR site) Have a great day 🙂
Just leave them out, Jennifer.
Put a couple Tablespooncs of brown sugar in…it will cut a bit of he sauerkraut taster if you don’t like it so strong.
Love this recipe Judy…and all your other recipes I’ve seen and saved into my recipe folder!!! I also learned a different version from a sailor friend’s sailor dad back in the early 1970’s. Only omit the sauerkraut and add a quartered onion, some celery (cut in about 3” slivers), sliced carrots and potatoes, butter, and cut the Polish sausage (or your choice of sausage) into bite size pieces, then add enough beer to cover over all of it in a foil lined roaster. Your choice of seasonings. Cover all of it with the foil then put the lid on. Bake at 350º for about an hour or until the vegetables are done. The alcohol cooks out and flavors everything like you won’t believe!!! I usually fix this for a new year’s special dinner when family comes over and sometimes a few extra times during the year. This sounds very much like a Pot Roast doesn’t it? Only use the Polish Sausage instead of a Roast. Try it…you’ll like it, I guarantee!!
Linda
rinse sauerkraut first, taste much better and for those that do not like it they may find that it is not so bad, I grew up on this meal
Add a little sugar it will take some of the tartness out of the kraut.
looks real good I will have to try this
I love this recipe..also love your website,look forward to all your great recipes!!!
you are my husbands new best friend:)
What is the best not so spicy sausage? This really brings back childhood memories…German grandma..♥I think she made it with the hocks and ham…..
Very similar to a recipe I’ve made over the years.
Basically a good ole’ German dish.
Only cook pork hocks, then add the potatoes, saur kraut, even a little onion. Try putting in quarted apples on top with skins on still. Boy your in for a treat.
We grew upon this dish even before crockpot was invented…but….Grandma used Browned country ribs. Still one of my favorites but will try this one as well
That is how my Grandma made these too.
looks so yummy, I cant wait to try this!! Thanks…
I would like to make this. But truthfully I don’t know where I would find Polish Sausage…I’ve see Keilbasa and prepackaged….is that what you use? Or is it in the meat department? Maybe its a regional thing why I cannot find it here. Suggestions? Brands, etc.?
You can use smoked or Keilbasa or whatever kind of sausage you like in this recipe.
Sheryl, Keilbasa IS Polish sausage. That is the Polish name for this type of sausage.
Can i used precooked?
I think you could.
is the sausage precooked or not?
No, it is not precooked.
I just put this in the crockpot and I bought the precooked Keibasa. It it not going to taste the same?
It should taste the same, Barb.
If I use smoked cooked polish sausage how long do I cook it?
Hi, this recipe is made with cooked polish sausage or smoked sausage, so it wouldn’t change the cook time at all.Thanks!
What great timing! Just recieved my order of Smoked Sausges form a smokehouse in New Braunfels TX! Making this tomorrow!
I have made a stir fry, Sausage sliced, Suate with green onions or reg onions. sliced carrots , small red potatoes sliced, Peas and shredded cabbage, I use a combination of olive oil and butter, add almonds and salt and peppers, We like it and it is healthy. The saurkraut recipe is one I grew up on a family favorite,
This looks so good,to me.not much for caraway seeds ,but will try. That apple suggestion sounds good too.
Hi Judy !! Loving your recipes !! We are going to try this one tonight ! Every single one of your recipes I have tried, my hubby gives it 5 stars and wants to have it again !
(((hugs)))
Hi Judy,
I so enjoy your website.
Just prepared this easy recipe & turned the old crock pot on high. So around 6:30 tonight, we wil find out how yummy this is. It looks like a keeper so far. Thanks 🙂
Hi Judy, I Love this recipe, I have made something similar for years. I use Keilbasa, instead of the polish sausage, though either would be good. I also peel and dice 2 Apples, & add 1 T. of Brown Sugar, in place of the water, I use 1 Cup Apple Juice. Our Family Loves this..
I make a very similar recipe but I add a can of beer instead of the water. Yummy!n and of course the alcohol cooks off.
Hi Judy, I cooked this today and it tasted good! My family like it, especially my elder gal! She loves the soft and tender sausages and the sauce. 😉
Tks for sharing your great recipe! I’ll be trying out other of your recipes in future, 😀
Tks so much, Judy! I’ll be trying this within the next two days! I’ll let you know how it turns out when I cook it. 😉
PS: So sorry for my late reply. ;(
I’ve been looking at this recipe since you posted it, and I finally made it today. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? This is the BEST dinner I’ve made in a long time! It was yummy. I added a little salt and garlic powder, it was heavenly! Thank you!
I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe. You know what? You just made my day! Thanks so much for your comment.
I’ll be trying this one-yum-and easy too!
Looks so good. Love this.
Yes, you can use just regular cabbage.
What a wonderful meal. That sausage has my name on it.
Hi Judy – How does that saying go??? GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE! I have a very similar recipe ready to post at my blog tomorrow!! lol This IS delicious…a new twist on an old recipe for me. I was tickled to see it here and can vouch for the fact that it’s truly delicious! =)