Fried cabbage with kielbasa – A quick and budget-friendly recipe ready in about 30 minutes. Caramelized cabbage and browned kielbasa sausage come together for a quick, one-pot meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Versatile and so delicious!
If you love easy dinners that also don’t break the bank and make delicious leftovers, I highly recommend to try out these Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes, One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice or Chicken Pot Pie Noodles.
Why you’ll love this fried cabbage and kielbasa skillet recipe
This simple one-pan dish bursts with delicious smoky flavors that everyone will love. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, which is great for those busy evenings. It has everything you need – veggies and protein together, so you don’t have to worry about making extra sides. This recipe is really special to me because it reminds me of my childhood; it was one of my grandma’s go-to dishes that I absolutely loved.
The coolest thing? You can tweak it to suit your taste by throwing in more veggies or adding rice or potatoes to make it even heartier.
What is kielbasa?
Kielbasa or “smoked sausage,” is the star ingredient of this dish. Often referred to as “Polish sausage” because “kielbasa” is the Polish word for sausage, it’s typically made with pork. Known for its strong flavor and chunky texture, kielbasa is seasoned with lots of garlic, marjoram, and other spices, giving it a pretty unique taste. It’s usually pre-cooked, smoked, and delicious straight out of the package. You can easily find kielbasa in most grocery stores.
Compared to other sausages like spicy and smoky andouille or fennel-flavored Italian sausage, kielbasa has a milder taste and a coarser texture.
If you like the taste of kielbasa, check out this Potato and Sausage Stew recipe next.
How to make fried cabbage with kielbasa?
Making fried cabbage with kielbasa is incredibly simple:
- We start by browning bacon and kielbasa, this way they release loads of flavor into the oil, enhancing the entire dish.
- We add onions and garlic for an aromatic base.
- Then toss in the cabbage, spices, a touch of tomato paste and chicken broth.
- We scrape up the flavorful brown bits from the skillet to create a delicious sauce.
- Next, we let everything simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Finally, return the kielbasa and bacon to the skillet, stir, and done!
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO or follow along on YouTube.
Fried cabbage and kielbasa ingredients
- Kielbasa: This delicious smoked sausage adds a garlicky flavor that elevates the dish. If unavailable, you can substitute for Andouille, bratwurst or chorizo.
- Bacon: Adds a salty-smoky taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Green cabbage: When sautéed, it becomes buttery and tender-crisp. Opt for a small head or half of a large one, and avoid pre-cut cabbage for best results.
- Vegetable oil: Use any type you have available for frying.
- Onion and garlic: Essential for enhancing flavor.
- Seasonings: A mix of smoked paprika, black pepper, salt and ground cumin.
- Tomato paste: Adds richness and depth of flavor, making the dish hearty and satisfying.
- Chicken broth: Provides extra liquid for cooking down the cabbage and creating a flavorful pan sauce.
Variations
- Get creative with veggies: If you have time, consider adding bell peppers or cauliflower to the cabbage.
- Experiment with protein: You can substitute it with ground pork or leftover rotisserie chicken for a tasty alternative.
What to serve with fried cabbage?
- Country bread
- Steamed rice
- Crispy potatoes
- Steamed potatoes
How to store leftovers fried cabbage and kielbasa
- Make ahead: The sausage and cabbage can be cooked and refrigerated for up to 1 day in advance.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Cool completely, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Cooking video
Fried Cabbage with Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 pound kielbasa
- 1 yellow onion - finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 head greed cabbage - small
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Get your prep done before you start cooking. Cut the bacon into lardons. Slice the kielbasa sausages. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Core and roughly chop the cabbage.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high. Add bacon and cook until golden brown. Remove from skillet.
- Add oil and kielbasa. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium, add onion and garlic. Cook for 1 minute, then add the cabbage. Cook for 3 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, cumin and tomato paste.
- Pour in chicken broth, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, until tender-crisp.
- Uncover, return kielbasa and bacon to the skillet. Give it a good stir and simmer uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Enjoy!
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