Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potatoes
193 CommentsApr 13, 2026
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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.
This is a great recipe, but just FYI you listed that you need a white onion in the description and then mention needing a yellow onion in the actual recipe portion.
So glad you like it! I will fix that.
4 hours in everything is still pretty uncooked I had to run this on high to get it done
Try to keep the lid on, every time you open it, it loses heat and takes 45 mins to get back to temperature.
Would I be able to add some white mushrooms in with this? Or would they turn to mush in the slow cooker for so long?
You can add them, though I would cut them pretty thick.
I put a liner in crockpot but 3 hours into cabbage was burning on the sides. Any suggestions, I took off lif and got burnt leaves out and stirred.
Your slow cooker may cook hot. A few pieces may get toasty on the sides but it should not burn.
First time make this can you have beer I don’t handle chicken broth and what else do you add to your cabbage or sausage and onions and bell pepper
Water or vegetable broth.
Can I double the cabbage in the recipe
yes, that will work fine!
This was delicious. Must brown sausage before adding to crockpot it just adds so much smoky flavor. I served it as a side but I could eat it as a full meal, just added a lil hot sauce. Yummmmm. Thank you for sharing.
Can I substitute beer for some or all of the broth?
Yes, you can use all beer for the broth if it’s a light beer, if dark, I would do less.
Can I cook this on high for half the time ?
You may need more like 4 hours to get the potatoes to tenderize.
I’ve made this lots of times and we love it! Tasty and Easy! Do you think I could use boneless pork chops instead of the kielbasa? If so, what seasonings would you add?
Yes! I think that would work good. I would add some salt and pepper to the chops and possibly some dried leaf time.
So good! Made it twice in the last two weeks. Like to double the sausage and cabbage