Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potatoes
193 CommentsApr 13, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This cozy slow cooker recipe brings together kielbasa, potatoes, and cabbage with broth, onion, and spices for a flavorful homestyle dinner.
Featured Comment
So happy I found this recipe, so easy to make and tastes so yummy, and not bland at all, I found the spices perfect, especially with the added cayenne pepper for that little bit of heat, my family loved it!
– Kathleen
If you want more cabbage recipes, then I’ve got the recipe for you! Cabbage actually tastes good; it has a great texture when cooked down. This kielbasa and cabbage recipe is a keeper; it’s easy to throw together and very filling. We know cooking with kielbasa in the slow cooker works well, since we love Crockpot Red Beans and Rice, Slow Cooker Pierogies, and Kielbasa Potato Soup.
Key Ingredients
Kielbasa: Find this near the bacon at the store. I can sometimes find no nitrate variety to make it healthier.
Cabbage: Cooks down amazingly in the slow cooker – it melts in your mouth, it gets so tender.
Potatoes: Cubed Russet Potatoes hold up well in this. If you want low-carb, simply skip these.
Seasonings and Broth: This is a simple recipe; just add chicken broth, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
How to Make Kielbasa, Potatoes, and Cabbage
- Brown the kielbasa for extra flavor.
- Add everything to the crockpot and let it cook low and slow.
- Stir and serve once the potatoes are tender.
How long to cook?
This recipe needs enough time for the potatoes to soften. I cook this recipe for 6 hours on low.
What to Serve with this?
Bread: Cornbread or garlic bread is great for sopping up the cooking broth.
Other Sides: Sliced tomatoes or mac and cheese are great choices.
Tips & Variations
Meat Swap: A full pound of cooked bacon is a great swap, or you can use summer sausage or andoullie sausage.
Red Cabbage: Use red instead of green; it’s slightly sweeter.
Carrots: Add a pound of sliced carrots – it’s a popular addition.
Does the Kielbasa have to be browned?
No! You can skip browning the kielbasa in any slow cooker recipe. Browning adds some depth of flavor, but it isn’t necessary.
Does this freeze well?
This meal can be frozen, but the potatoes may change texture after being thawed.
Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potatoes Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 12 oz. kielbasa, any kind works!
- 5 small russet potatoe,, peeled and diced
- 1/2 head of cabbage, about 6 cups measured
- 1 white onion, sliced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, (optional)
Instructions
- Slice and brown the kielbasa in a skillet on the stove top. Add to the slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients. Stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Stir and serve! Enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Complete Slow Cooker meals in one pot
Try the Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Kielbasa and Sauerkraut, or Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls for easy, hearty meals.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Cabbage, a Full Chicken Dinner, or a Slow Cooker Pot Roast are great options for simple, comforting dinners.
Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans or a Kielbasa Dinner are perfect when you want a complete meal made right in the crockpot.
Can leftovers be frozen?
This should freeze ok, sometimes I have issues with potatoes getting extra mealy after thawing though.
I also add copper pennies to mine. (carrots) I make this frequently, as we love it.
Made this but on the stove since I was too late for the crockpot, pre cooked potatoes, cooked entirely on stove the potatoes were mostly done so cooking time was short came out delicious, but I’m sure the slow cooked method was even better♥️
Can you cook this on high? If so, how many hours?
I would do 4 hours on high.
Can you substitute the cabbage with sauerkraut? And if so, would it change the time length much?
Thank you!
You can use sauerkraut and cook for about the same length of time, for the potatoes take the longest.
Can I make this on the stove
I’m sure there would be a way. But I did not test this on the stove-top, and I’m unsure on the timing.
Patti, I make this on the stove all the time! Just cook until the potatoes and cabbage are done!
Ive made this recipe for my family. Everyone loved it! It is now part of our rotation.
Thank you so much for sharing.
My husband and I have been loving this one! We do find it personally to be a little bit bland as written, but that’s easily remedied. We add more salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and paprika, and that easily takes care of that. I adapted it to make it in the instant pot, and add celery and carrots if I have them around, and it’s super good and fast with minimal cleanup. Thank you!
Can some chickpeas or some other kind of bean be added to increase the protein? Or, is there something (other than another meat), that could be added?
I would think beans would be the only option! Maybe instead of chickpeas, some white cannellini beans?
Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I did the math and the original recipe comes out to only 1.5 ounces of meat per serving…that ain’t much protein. I was thinking another couple packages of kielbasa or another package of the sausage PLUS maybe a large can of beans.
This was delious. I enjoyed it with some garlic bread and wine. The dish was very filling. One point I might add to someone that said the potatoes did not get done. I put them near the bottom with the broth, so they cooked faster. After a few hours I stired the mixture frequently. Hope this helps someone.