Keto kielbasa is a fantastic way to serve up a low-carb dinner that is quick, easy, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Combining kielbasa and sauerkraut with a creamy sauce, this dinner hits all the flavor marks without leaving you bogged down by carbohydrates.
This skillet sausage dinner is the perfect weeknight meal if you are working on a gluten free, keto or low-carb lifestyle. This sausage dish is a complete meal that you can have on your table in under 30-minutes!
If you LOVE sausage for dinner as much as I do you are going to want to check out our oven-baked brats with peppers, Instant Pot beer brats, crockpot Italian sausage and peppers recipe, and low-carb Instant Pot chili with kielbasa!
A printable recipe card is at the bottom of the post
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Keto Kielbasa Recipe
I don’t know about you, but I tend to get a little bored with chicken, beef, and pork for dinner options. And while I don’t mind the occasional vegetarian dinner now and again, my husband prefers his meals contain meat.
Thankfully, we both love sausage in all it’s wonderful forms. Typically considered a breakfast food, we opt frequently to also include it in our dinner rotation.
And yes, I know that sausage is generally pork or pork mixed with other meats – but it’s different. It’s not chops, ribs, or roasts and tastes completely different.
One of my favorite childhood dinners combined kielbasa and sauerkraut. It was a recipe from my mom’s friend and that became the inspiration for this dish. I remember eating her version stuffed inside a pita, like a warm sandwich, rich and creamy.
And even though as an adult I now need to stay away from gluten, I still enjoy eating this dish the same way. Allowing myself a few moments to sit back and enjoy a childhood food and the memories it brings with it.
Why This Recipe Works
- It’s quick and simple! Just a few minutes of pre-work and a few minutes of cooking and you can have a fresh, hot, home-cooked meal on the table in under 30 minutes.
- The recipe is different! A change from the standard chicken, beef, and pork is good for everyone’s tastebuds.
- Creamy keto kielbasa and kraut makes a complete meal by itself meaning you don’t need to add sides (of course, you can totally choose to! I have a few options for you below.)
What’s the Difference Between Kielbasa and Polish Sausage?
And now, let’s take a few moments for an educational break. There tends to be a lot of confusion when it comes to kielbasa and Polish sausage, are they different or are they the same thing??
First, though, let’s start with sausage in general. The term sausage refers to a wide variety of meat products that are typically ground up, seasoned, and served in a casing.
Kielbasa is actually the Polish word for sausage. Polish sausage and kielbasa are actually the same exact thing – which probably lends to the confusion.
Kielbasa is a type of pre-cooked smoked sausage. It’s typically available in either a horseshoe shape or long swirled loops. Because it’s pre-cooked you can eat it cold or heat it up and serve it a variety of ways. Kielbasa is generally mild in flavor and used in many dishes. Often it is served alongside cabbage and sauerkraut.
Carbs in Kielbasa
Keeping an eye on the carbs in the polish sausage (kielbasa) you purchase is critical. Not all sausage is created equally! And if you have a dietary or health restriction, like being on a keto diet, then you need to keep an eye on the carbs in kielbasa and make sure the brand you purchase is keto friendly.
Most kielbasa brands range between 1 net carb-3 net carbs per serving of smoked sausage.
While most meat straight out of the package is zero net carbs, smoked sausages and pre-seasoned sausages require a closer look at the label because of the extra added ingredients.
For instance, the most popular grocery store kielbasa is probably Hillshire Farms Polska Kielbasa, which has 3 net carbs per 2 oz serving. Maybe that doesn’t sound too bad until you also read the polish sausage includes corn syrup.
Whereas Kroger’s Simply Organic brand of Kielbasa has 1 net carb per 2 0z serving and no corn syrup.
Whether you’re following a strict keto program, just keeping your carbs lower, or just looking for a delicious kielbasa dinner, we just wanted to make you aware that not all carbs in kielbasa are the same–brand matters!
In my opinion, the BEST keto kielbasa sausage brands would be one in the 1-2 net carb per serving range that does NOT have corn syrup on the ingredient list. Typically this will mean looking for organic kielbasa sausage at your local grocery store.
Ingredients for Keto Kielbasa
So, now that we have covered all the reasons to love sausage for dinner, and the common confusion between sausage and kielbasa, and even how to find the best low-carb kielbasa options, let’s get going with our super tasty and ridiculously simple creamy kielbasa sauerkraut dinner!
To make sure this recipe stays within keto guidelines, it’s essential that you read package labels and buy kielbasa that’s low carb (1 net carb ideally), sauerkraut that doesn’t add exta sugar, and low carb sour cream like Daisy brand.
To start you will need the following ingredients and your favorite skillet:
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 pkg kielbasa (10 oz), sliced
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
- Garnish- green onions (optional)
Now, let’s get cooking!
How to Make the Polish Keto Sausage Recipe
To start, you are going to need to spend a few minutes prepping your ingredients. Chop the onion, dice the peppers, and slice the kielbasa. Then drain and squeeze dry the sauerkraut. Be sure you don’t skimp on this – if your sauerkraut is soggy your sauce will be as well.
Once that is done, crank up the heat (medium-high) and melt the butter in your skillet.
Once your pan is hot and the butter is melted, add the vegetables and kielbasa to the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes. You are looking for browned sausage pieces and nice, tender veggies here.
Add in the sauerkraut and stir to combine. Cook the entire dish for another minute or two, allowing the sauerkraut to warm up.
Now we are going to create the creamy sauce by adding in the sour cream and mustard. Swirl it around to be sure all of the flavors are combined and warm. Top with the garnish.
You can serve this dish as-is in a bowl, on a plate with an additional vegetable side dish, or take a walk down memory lane with me and give it a try in a pita. Either way, you are going to love this dish!
Creamy Keto Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe Tips
- Be sure to buy sauerkraut without added sugar and check the carbs on the grocery store kielbasa brands. We used Hemplers, which is a local PNW brand found in grocery stores here.
- Make sure you allow your pan to warm up before adding in the kielbasa and veggies. Otherwise, the sausage won’t brown nearly as well.
- Don’t overheat the sauerkraut once you add it in. With a warm pan, and warm ingredients already in it, the sauerkraut truly only need a moment or two. Any more and you run the risk of a soggy dish.
- In the summer months, try this recipe out with grilled kielbasa! Simply toss it on the grill for a few minutes per side, then slice and add it into your pan after you saute your veggies.
What to Serve with Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
While your kielbasa and sauerkraut could easily be a low-carb meal all on its own, I also want to share with you some additional sides you can add. Perfect for if you are hosting dinner guests, trying to stretch a 4-serving meal to feed 6 people, or simply want to add in an appetizer.
Creamy kielbasa and sauerkraut can be paired perfectly with any or all of the following options, although probably not all at once. 😉
- roasted broccoli
- roasted radishes
- instant pot broccoli cheese soup
- cucumber salad
- a simple green salad
More Keto Sausage Recipes You’ll Love
- Brats In The Oven With Peppers
- Instant Pot Beer Brats (using low carb beer)
- Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers
- Low-Carb Instant Pot Chili with Kielbasa
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Creamy Keto Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
A 20 minute skillet keto kielbasa and sauerkraut dinner with Polish sausage, vegetables, sour cream, and kraut. Serve it in a bowl or wrapped up in a low carb tortilla.
Ingredients
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 pkg kielbasa (10 oz), sliced
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp mustard
- Garnish- green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: chop the onion, dice the green pepper, slice the sausage
- Drain and squeeze dry the sauerkraut
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat
- Saute the onion, green pepper, and sausage slices until browned. This took about 6-7 minutes.
- Add the drained and dried sauerkraut and stir until heated.
- Mix in the sour cream and prepared mustard.
- Serve in bowls or wrapped up in a heated low carb tortilla or pita
Notes
Be sure to buy a sauerkraut without added sugar and check the carbs on the grocery store kielbasa brands. We used Hemplers, which is a local PNW brand found in grocery stores here.
Your favorite kind of mustard should work whether that's Dijon, regular yellow mustard, or brown deli mustard. Add 1 Tbsp to start and mix that in if you want to make sure your mustard doesn't overpower the recipe.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 530Total Fat 45gSaturated Fat 19gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 116mgSodium 1750mgCarbohydrates 9gNet Carbohydrates 5gFiber 4gSugar 4gProtein 15g
The nutritional amounts are to be considered an estimate since they can vary on the brands you buy.
Brittany says
This recipe looks delicious! I love finding new ways to utilize sauerkraut. Thank you for sharing!