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
- ⅓ 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
- ⅓ 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
Mj houle says
Can we freeze this ?
Robin Gagnon says
The kielbasa would be fine, but I am not sure how well the cooked potatoes would fare.
wilhelmina says
This dish is proof that simple is sometimes the most delicious!
Nancy says
I made this tonight for a Girl Scout event and it was a HUGE hit! I did have to add butter to the potatoes because there wasn’t enough fat drippings from the sausage and they were starting to stick to the pan.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
We made this the other day and everyone loved it. Going to make it again for a family gathering this weekend!
Micki says
Oh my gosh, these are my husband's two favorites: kielbasa and potatoes! He loves this!
wilhelmina says
I made this for dinner tonight and we loved it! Perfect for a busy night!
Linda Goslin says
This sounds wonderful. Can it be made using frozen hash brown potatoes?
Robin Gagnon says
I don't see why not. Refer to the packaging for cook times, as they will of course differ from chopped fresh potatoes.
Donna Horobin says
I see you say not to use Russet Potatoes. Can I use anyway as that is all I have right now?
Robin Gagnon says
Yes, the potatoes will be more prone to breaking up, that's all.
Jason says
Quick, easy and delicious. My son who usually won't eat potatoes kept coming back for more.
Robin Gagnon says
The Kielbasa does seem to make them better doesn't it. Thanks and stay safe 🙂
Heather says
Is this recipe only for kielbasa that’s pre-cooked? I get raw, fresh kielbasa from a butcher and I’m wondering if I follow the same steps. I’m new to cooking, so hoping it’s not a dumb question. Thank you!
Robin Gagnon says
Typically it is smoked, but as long as you cook it through there should be no issue. Your fresh from butcher kielbasa will probably be even better!
Denise says
This was a hit!! The only thing I did differently; I cooked the onions and garlic directly after the kielbasa as my DH only likes onions if they are completely translucent. I removed the onions and garlic to the kielbasa and then fried the potatoes before mixing everything together. His comment: "This is a keeper!"
Birdie says
This kielbasa potatoes meal was perfect, I used turkey smoked sausage and added olive oil like you said to. It was easy to make, good flavor and I made green beans ion the side, Delicious! my boyfriend said it’s a keeper.
Robin Gagnon says
Thank you. I'm so glad it was well received. Most guys love comfort food dishes.
Susannah says
I have never heard a recipe that requires 1/3 tsp but here goes
Robin Gagnon says
Salt is always adjustable by taste.
Jodi Dunmore Heard says
Delicious Easy Sausage Dinner!
Shawn McInnes says
We made this last night for dinner and it was really good! My husband doesn't care for onions (oh, the tragedy!) so we substituted some onion powder in place of the fresh onion. This will definitely be going into our regular meal rotation! Thanks for all of the tips that you included -- they came in handy!
Dee Decheubel says
But I want to leave 6 stars!! This recipe is a dream to make and eat! I love when a recipe follows to a t and this one did just that. Followed this just a written with the times as instructed and I could not have been happier. The caramelization on the sausage and potatoes made this a big winner. I plopped sour cream and dill on top for that extra love. The fact that this was your late husbands favorite really warmed my heart that you would share those personal details, it made this feel special to me because of that. Prayers for you and your daughter!!
Cc says
Everyone loved it.followedrecipe as written.
Susan N Lee says
So delicious! I cut the potatoes first, and boiled them a bit while I chopped everything else. I used extra lean kielbasa and there was still enough fat to cook everything else. I added some frozen corn, but would have used cabbage if I had it. I think this would be a perfect casserole for hunting season! Thanks!!
Lisa Cooney says
Easy and delicious!
JAMIE LYNN says
My new favorite way to cook polish sausage!
Vickie says
I am trying without onion but adding onion powder and broccoli slaw.