This Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe is such a classic combination, that it is sure to become a family favorite. Yes, it is a simple smoked Polish sausage recipe, but many of the best dishes are simple.
Of course, kielbasa and potatoes are such a natural pairing anyway. Not only is this easy kielbasa recipe satisfying, it is inexpensive to make too. It is one of my favorite stove top weeknight dinners.
As an added bonus, with one pot preparation, cleanup will be a breeze.
I made this easy kielbasa recipe frequently for my late husband. Kielbasa and potatoes was pretty much his favorite among the polska kielbasa recipes I would prepare for him. The man loved his smoked sausage.
I still make the dish occasionally, but for me, I use the lower fat chicken or turkey kielbasa sausage rather than the pork or beef versions he preferred.
If you are wondering what to make with kielbasa, I like serving this kiebasa with sauteed broccoli rabe sometimes with a splash of hot sauce on top. Many prefer to simply dig into a big bowl of the kielbasa and potatoes for dinner without a side, perhaps with a vegetable tossed right in the skillet.
Kielbasa and Potatoes
I told you this kielbasa sausage recipe was easy now I will show you step-by-step in pictures how to make the dish.
You may want to skip this part if you are an experienced cook. Printable recipe card is right below.
Here are all the ingredients you need to make this easy kielbasa recipe:
- 1 pound of kielbasa sausage
- 1 ¼ - 1 ½ pounds of potatoes* (chopped, no need to peel)
- ½ teaspoon of paprika
- â…“ teaspoon of Kosher salt (or Sea salt)**
- ¼ teaspoon of oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 sweet onion, chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
*Yukon Gold or Red Skinned potatoes
**if you only have regular table salt, reduce amount to ¼ tsp
Directions:
Cut the sausage into slices roughly ⅓ to ½ inch thick.
TIP: Some brands have tougher casing than others. If after a couple slices it seems to be an issue remove it.
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the slices. Fry the kielbasa for approximately 6 minutes, until browned, but still moist.
Scoop out the sausage into a bowl, but leave the rendered fat in the pan.
Add the potatoes, paprika, salt and oregano to the skillet.
Toss with the leftover fat from the smoked sausages.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and stir every couple minutes for 15 minutes.
Add the onions and fresh garlic. Stir and cover. Continue cooking, stirring every few minutes for another 10 minutes.
Now add the sausage back to the pan. Stir and cover. Cook for about 4 minutes to reheat the sausage and meld the flavors.
Check to ensure potatoes are fully cooked before serving. If they aren't tender, cook a little longer, stirring regularly.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the polish sausage and potatoes as is, with a vegetable side or even for breakfast with some eggs.
Recipe Tips and Variations
Since this recipe was originally published back in 2011, many have shared their own kielbasa dinner ideas, tips and additions.
Additions:
- peppers - by far the most popular addition to this dish. Add sliced sweet bell peppers when you add the onions and they should come out just right. Green pepper is a popular addition for readers.
- sauerkraut - this came in a close second, many add it. Personally, I'd add it close to the end of cooking.
- cabbage - nearly as popular as the fermented sauerkraut is cabbage. I'd add this in midway through cooking. Some fry is up with the kielbasa, then add it back in at the end with the sausage.
- Cheese is another great addition to this satisfying meal. Melty cheddar cheese sprinkled on immediately after cooking is my personal favorite way to go.
- Broccoli, carrots, corn and even noodles were added, by some adventurous readers. They seemed pretty happy with the results too.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne could spice up this polish sausage meal.
Tips:
- Use Yukon Gold or Red Skinned potatoes. Russet are likely to break up during cooking.
- No I do not add water. I feel it interferes with the frying. Once the steam from the potatoes themselves starts to get exhausted, the onions are added, which release more water. If your stove runs a little hotter, you may find you need a little.
- Turkey or chicken kielbasa will not release enough oil to fry the potatoes. Supplement with a tablespoon of classic olive oil, avocado oil or ghee.
- I haven't done this but a few readers precooked their potatoes in the microwave to cut down on cook time. It might be worth a try if you are on a time crunch. Frozen hash browns would also be a quick solution in a pinch.
Pan fry this easy kielbasa skillet dinner yourself and don't be afraid to toss in a little something extra if you like. Even when you mix it up a bit this is still an easy dinner that screams comfort food.
More Easy Kielbasa Recipes
Looking for more ways to cook kielbasa? I have several other Polish sausage recipes, right here on the site.
- If you are watching your carb intake, try my Kielbasa and Cabbage recipe. It is quick, simple and easy on the carbs.
- Want a delicious meal you can make in your pressure cooker without fuss? try my Instant Pot Kielbasa Pasta.
- Pierogies and Kielbasa are an authentic Polish combination. Here they are prepared in a cheesy skillet in just 30 minutes!
Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz. kielbasa sauasage
- 1 ¼ pounds potatoes 5 medium sized
- 1 Vidalia onion , chopped
- ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 clove garlic minced
- â…“ tsp. Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. oregano or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat skillet on med-high heat.
- Cut the kielbasa sausage into slices, and drop in the heated pan. Stir while frying.
- As kielbasa is browning, chop the onion and potatoes.
- Once the sausage has browned for approximately 6 minutes, scoop it out and put aside. Much of the fat will have rendered. Make sure to leave grease in the pan.
- Dump the chopped potatoes into the hot skillet with the kielbasa grease. Add the paprika, salt and oregano. Stir to coat in the fat and reduce the burner to medium to medium-low. Cover.
- Brown the potatoes for 13 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Add the onions and garlic. Cook for about 12 minutes. Covered, but stirring regularly.
- Once the potatoes have softened and onions are cooked add the kielbasa back into the pan mix in and all cook for 4 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
alternative spellings: keilbasa, kilbasa, kelbasa, kalbasa, cabasa sausage, kaboski
Nichol says
I make something similar, hubs loves it!
Beth says
That looks really good. Plus it sounds easy. This might be good for next month's meal plan ... hmmm. You might have given me an idea! 🙂
Laurel says
Simple and so good. I made this the other night and had to let you know how much I appreciate the post. Keep 'em coming.
Robin says
Thank you so much for your kind message. Glad you liked it 🙂
Cara says
Excited to try this tonight. I found one that involved many more steps and ingredients and wanted something more simple. I plan to serve broccoli on the side
Stacy says
Question. I know this sounds stupid when you add the remaining ingredients does the kielbasa get tossed in as well or get mixed in after. Thanks.
Robin Gagnon says
Not a stupid question at all. More like poor directions on my part (this was one of my earlier recipes). Add the kielbasa back in once the potatoes are cooked. Edited the directions to make it clearer.
Carrie says
I have made this for years but add chopped bell pepper and corn. Its quick, easy and a favorite of ours.
Jenny C says
I have some picky pepper people, so I skip it, but agree it is a natural addition.
Rob says
I make something similar but I use chorizo mild Portuguese sausage. Yummy.
Gina says
I love chorizo, I will have to try that also 🙂 Thanks !!
Porky says
Going to try this in the slow cooker as it should work just fine in there for 6-8 hours on low.. Thanks.
Mary anne Zaccanelli says
Ive been cooking this for years, only with hotdogs, not kielbasi...kids liked hotdogs better...also, leave out the Oregano for this dish, if anything, use parsley instead.
Linda says
As I was reading this I started thinking that homemade sauerkraut, added at the end to just warm it a bit, would be an extra treat.
Julie says
I make a similar recipe but I cook potatoes an onions first in a bit of evil. They take longer to cook and the onions caramelized nicely with the potatoes. When they are nearly din I then add kielbasa. Sometimes I will also add a bit of beer at the end and cover it to let it steam the potatoes.we also cook a crusty loaf and sauerkraut too... so easy and quick on busy week nights!
Becca says
Sounds easy, quick and delicious! Thanks for the recipe, going to try it with fresh green beans and the potatoes tonight for dinner. Smells delicious already!
WF Fitzgerald says
Roast these ingredients in the oven. Yum!
Robin Gagnon says
Yes, kielbasa and potatoes are great in the oven too!
Kelley says
I have a 20 year old- it is nearly impossible to get him to eat at home!! Image this and he put his nose in the pan smelled it and he was hooked!!!! He asked me to hide the leftovers so his dad wouldn't eat them! Thank you
Tésa says
This was fantastic! I'll have to make it again soon.
Mirca Perez says
I made this the other day and the kids loved it!
Jen says
The pinner that suggested microwaving the potatoes beforehand, did she/he say how long to do so?
Robin Gagnon says
No, I'm sorry Jen she didn't specify. Personally, I would only partially cook them that way. If fully cooked they will break up a lot while you are trying to crisp them with the sausage.
Paula says
The recipe sounds really good, I think I would try making it with sauerkraut too. But I take some of the sauerkraut juice out and add a chopped up apple and just a little bit of brown sugar to take some of the bite out of the kraut.
Robin Gagnon says
That sounds like an interesting combo with kielbasa.
starla says
How is this quick again? I cut my potatoes tiny tiny to make it cook faster and its still taking forever :S
starla says
Ok I take it back lol, I had my pan too low. I was afraid it would burn on the outside and not cook inside but when I got desperate and turned it up it cooked up way quicker. big hit with the husband and all five kids 🙂
Mary says
I was so excited to try this. I followed the directions to a T and it did not turn out well at all. The potatoes took forever and had no flavor.
Charlene Mcandrew says
When I make this I boil my smoked kielbosi while the taters are frying, then add some of the kielbosi water to taters, slce the bosi and put in pan with taters, nuked doctord up baked beans goes gret withthis and a side of aapplesauce
Add a little butter to the pan, hit of garlic powder, parsley salt and pepper
Janet Hubler says
I use green pepper in mine. We love it.
cindy says
I make this, I add frozen corn and chopped cabbage!
sharon says
I make this but added shredded cheese after all cooked so good
Rosemary says
Do You use smoked or fresh kielbasi please?
Robin Gagnon says
I use typical packaged kielbasa from grocery store. It does not mention smoking, but I believe it is.