Boiled kielbasa is one of the best and easiest methods to prepare smoked kielbasa on the stove. Our recipe needs less than 30-minutes of your evening from start to finish, your favorite brand of Polish sausage, a simmering liquid, and your favorite pot. While the boiled Polish sausage is simmering you can work on preparing sides or put your feet up and wait for this WHOLE LOTTA YUM recipe to be done.
Boiled Polish Sausage
It seems like we ate A LOT of kielbasa growing up, probably because my grandma was part Polish. For most of my life, we at kielbasa Polish sausage sliced and pan-fried and then added to a variety of dishes like sauerkraut or cooked cabbage, but I'll tell ya what...if you want to make kielbasa as juicy as possible, you'll want to try boiling kielbasa sausage instead!
Whether you are serving your boiled polish sausage with slow cooker cabbage (so yummy!) or opting for a quick and easy Instant Pot cabbage and bacon recipe, boiled kielbasa always loves the simplicity of a classic cabbage side!
Of course, you can always complete a boiled kielbasa dinner with any variety of sauerkraut recipes, sauteed bell peppers and onions, roasted potato wedges, piorgies, or pasta options as well.
Why You'll Love This!
- Ready in under 30-mintues, boiled keilbasa is a quick and easy stovetop preparation method that makes your kielbasa super juicy and flavorful.
- The secret to keeping your boiled Polish sausage as juicy as possible is in cooking it whole! We are going to wait until after cooking to slice, chop, or divide the kielbasa link.
- Boiling keilbasa is perfect for those who are trying to follow low-carb, keto, and gluten-free eating plans.
- The whole recipe needs just 2 ingredients!
Are you looking for more boiled sausage recipes to add to your dinner rotation? Look no further than our boiling brats in beer recipe and our boiled Italian sausage dinner.
On Keto? Grab our FREE keto foods list here OR Snag our Keto Binder HERE
Ingredient Notes
We are going to use a whole precooked kielbasa link and water to make the best boiled kielbasa, perfect for an easy dinner or a quick lunch.
- kielbasa
- cooking liquid - water or low-sodium broth
** Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact quantities **
Variations
- Any kind of Polish kielbasa brand can be used for this recipe including turkey kielbasa, or other types of seasoned sausage. Do NOT substitute fresh kielbasa in the recipe since it is RAW and will take longer to cook than the recipe states.
Step by Step Instructions
Grab your favorite brand on precooked Polish sausage and a good simmering pot, because it's time to learn how to boil kielbasa sausage.
Prep Ingredients
Fill a large saucepan with 3"+ of water (or low sodium broth). Turn the pan on high to bring the water to a boil.
Assemble
Turn the burner down to medium-low once the water is boiling and add the whole kielbasa link.
Cook
Simmer the kielbasa sausage for 10+ minutes until the Polish sausage is heated through.
Remove the sausage from the water and let it rest 5+ minutes to slightly cool.
Slice the sausage into 1-2" sections and serve with other side dishes like cooked cabbage, sauerkraut, sauteed bell peppers and onions, roasted potato wedges, piorgies, or pasta.
Recipe Tips
- We recommend boiling the sausage as one whole link instead of sliced sausage pieces so that the valuable fats won't leak out of the sausage.
- For best results, and to prevent accidentally popping the sausage casing, we do recommend using rubber tongs to remove the kielbasa sausage from the simmering liquid.
- To make 2 boiled kielbasa sausages, add enough extra liquid to make sure both links are fully submerged.
- As smoked Polish sausage is already precooked, you do not need to check for an interal temperature.
Common Questions
Serve your boiled kielbasa with cooked cabbage, cabbage, sauerkraut, sauteed bell peppers and onions, roasted potato wedges, piorgies, or pasta.
No. While the German's are known for eating tons of sausage varieties and dishes, kielbasa is actually a Polish dish.
Polish sausage and kielbasa sausage are actually the same thing. And, yes, Polish sausage can be boiled, technically simmered, in a pot of hot water for 10 mins.
More Kielbasa Recipes
Looking for more kielbasa sausage recipes?
- Air fryer kielbasa
- Crock-pot cajun kielbasa and peppers
- Creamy kielbasa and sauerkraut
- Kielbasa and sauerkraut on the stove
- Crock-pot kielbasa chili
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Boiled Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 1 10-12 oz package kielbasa
Instructions
- Fill a large saucepan with 3"+ of water (or low sodium broth). Turn the pan on high to bring the water to a boil.
- Turn the burner down to medium-low once the water is boiling and add the whole kielbasa link.
- Simmer the kielbasa sausage for XYZ minutes until the Polish sausage is heated through. Remove the sausage from the water and let it rest 5+ minutes to slightly cool.
- Slice the sausage into 1-2" sections and serve with other side dishes like cooked cabbage, sauerkraut, sauteed bell peppers and onions, roasted potato wedges, piorgies, or pasta.
Notes
Kielbasa sausage is already precooked and seasoned, boiling kielbasa (Polish sausage) is basically a simple cooking method to heat it to proper eating temperature without pan frying or baking it.
You are technically simmering the sausage and not boiling it, you first bring the water or liquid to a boil to heat it up and then turn the water down to a simmer where bubbles are just popping the surface. Boiling food at high temperatures can lead to tougher meat and water overflowing out of the pot.
We recommend boiling the sausage as one whole link instead of sliced sausage pieces so that the valuable fats won't leak out of the sausage.
Any kind of Polish kielbasa brand can be used for this recipe including turkey kielbasa, or other types of seasoned sausage. Do NOT substitute fresh kielbasa in the recipe since it is RAW and will take longer to cook than the recipe states.
Slice the kielbasa after boiling to use in any recipe of your choosing.
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