Oktoberfest is a 16-day celebration that is all about great beer, delicious food, and lively music. And what better way to celebrate Oktoberfest than by cooking up a traditional German dish in your own kitchen! In this blog post, I am sharing an easy sauerkraut and sausage skillet recipe. Sauerkraut and sausages are traditional staples during Oktoberfest, and it’s easy to see why. They are hearty, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. So, get ready to don your lederhosen and raise a stein to this delicious Oktoberfest recipe!
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EASY SAUERKRAUT AND SAUSAGE SKILLET
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE NEEDED FOR SAUERKRAUT AND SAUSAGE?
I used Polish kielbasa for this recipe because it is so easy to find in the grocery store, but you can use your favorite Polish or German sausage for your version. If you would like to make the dish authentic for Oktoberfest, look for Weisswurst. Aldi frequently has it in stock, but a local butcher may carry it as well.
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- butter
- sausage
- onion
- sauerkraut (canned or jarred)
- brown sugar
- caraway seeds (optional)
- black pepper
- cast iron skillet
CAN YOU COOK SAUERKRAUT IN CAST IRON?
You will want to ensure your cast iron skillet is well-seasoned for this recipe. A newer cast iron pan may have a weird interaction with the acidity of the sauerkraut that could give the dish a bitter flavor. Since the sauerkraut is in the skillet for less than 30 minutes in this recipe, you will likely not taste any metallic flavor.
However, if your pan isn’t seasoned well enough, or if you don’t own a cast iron skillet, you can also make this dish in a non-stick pan.
SAUSAGE AND SAUERKRAUT SKILLET RECIPE
A simple dinner recipe on a budget, this one-pot meal takes less than 30 minutes to make. It’s a great option for a weeknight meal, especially during the colder months of the year.
EASY SAUERKRAUT AND SAUSAGE SKILLET
Print PinEquipment
- cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb sausage
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 large onion diced
- 32 oz sauerkraut drained, but not rinsed
- 2 tsp packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp caraway seeds optional
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the sausage into smaller sections.
- Add the butter to a large cast iron skillet and heat over medium heat until bubbling.
- Add the sausage and cook, turning often, 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside.
- To the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook over medium heat, stirring often and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the sauerkraut, brown sugar and caraway seeds (if using). Mix well.
- Add the sausage back into the skillet, nestling the sections into the sauerkraut. Cook 10 to 15 more minutes or until the sausage is reheated.
- Season to taste with pepper.
- Serve with condiments such as stone ground mustard on the side.
VARIATIONS ON THIS ONE-SKILLET RECIPE
There are a few ways that you can customize this recipe to your liking:
- Lots of people don’t like the licorice-like flavor of caraway seeds. Feel free to omit them from the recipe.
- Homemade sauerkraut is a lot of work, but it is so delicious. If you can, make your own!
- Replace the kielbasa with another style of sausage. Bratwurst, Weisswurst or Bierwurst are all good German options. Andouille or chorizo will add more spiciness to the dish.
- For an even heartier dish, cut potatoes into small cubes and cook them with the onions before adding in the sauerkraut.
No matter how you doctor up this sauerkraut and sausage dish, you will end up with a warm and comforting meal for the cooler weather!
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