When it comes to no-fuss dinners, a one-pan meal like this Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet is just what you need. It's hearty, cozy, and made for nights when you want to serve your family real food without a sink full of dishes.
With tender cabbage, sweet onions and smoky, garlicky kielbasa, it doesn't get much easier than this. Everything cooks in one skillet and is finished with a splash of vinegar to balance everything out. Serve it with crusty bread, egg noodles or simple boiled potatoes and call it a weeknight dinner win.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
One-pan meal with minimal clean up - everything cooks in one pan.
Big flavor and simple ingredients - The flavors of the kielbasa do the heavy lifting in the spice department.
Comfort food - It's hearty and cozy without feeling heavy.
Jump to:
What is Kielbasa?
Before we get started, let's talk about our main ingredient, kielbasa. Kielbasa is a kind of Polish sausage known for a garlic forward flavor profile along with seasonings. The work "kielbasa" simply means "sausage" in Polish (I asked), but in North America it typically refers to a U-shaped sausage shown in the ingredients below.
If you love kielbasa, you might also like these Air Fryer Kielbasa Bites, which are crispy, savory, and perfect as an appetizer or quick snack.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this one-skillet wonder.
- kielbasa: This sausage is garlic flavored and shaped like a "U". You can usually find it by the hot dogs and sausages at the grocery store. Any smoked sausage or even chorizo will do here.
- vegetable oil: This is used for browning the sausage and sauteing the onion. If you don't want to use seed oil (yes, I said it and yes, we grow soybeans 😉), use olive oil in its place.
- onion: I've found yellow onions or white onions work best in this recipe to add a bit of depth. In a pinch you can use sweet onions, but I wouldn't recommend using red onions.
- cabbage: We love cabbage! It brings texture, bite and some cozy comfort food vibes to this dish. I use plain old green cabbage, but you can also use savoy cabbage if you're feeling fancy.
- broth: The broth is important here because it helps to steam and wilt down the cabbage, plus it helps pick up those glazed little bits on the bottom of the skillet - yum! I feel like chicken broth gives the best flavor (I really like using a chicken base because it's always in my fridge). You can also use vegetable broth or even water (though it won't have as much flavor with water).
- apple cider vinegar - This gives a little acid to the dish to balance out the other hearty flavors. It makes everything a little lighter and brighter and it's a small but mighty difference to the finished dish. White wine vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice can also work here.
See recipe card below for specific quantities and ingredient list.
Check out my stuffed pepper skillet for another one-pan recipe.
🥣 How to Make Kielbasa and Cabbage
- Step 1: Brown the sausage. Heat a tablespoon oil. Add sliced kielbasa and cook it until it's nicely browned (don't walk away - it cooks fast). Remove the kielbasa and set aside.
- Step 2: Saute the onions. Using the same skillet, saute the onions until they become soft and translucent.
- Step 3: Add the cabbage. Add the chopped cabbage to the onion in the skillet. It will look like a TON. This is normal. Add the broth and cover with a lid to let it steam for 8-10 minutes, giving it an occasional stir. It's done with it's softened but still has a little crunch.
- Step 4: Combine and simmer. Put the sausage (kielbasa) back in the skillet. Cover and cook for a few minutes more. Tip: If the cabbage released a lot of liquid you can let it simmer with the lid off so it can evaporate.
- Step 5: Finish and Serve. Season with some salt and pepper and a splash of apple cider vinegar to brighten everything up.
You can top with fresh herbs, such as dill, if you'd like.
Make It Your Own
Add a pinch of caraway seeds for some Eastern European flair, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
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What Goes Well with Kielbasa and Cabbage?
- crusty bread (always)
- roasted potatoes
- buttered egg noodles
- mashed potatoes
Don't Skip the Vinegar
The final splash of acid elevates the whole dish and balances the richness of the sausage.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. To reheat, warm it gently in a skillet or microwave.
Make Ahead Tips
If you're trying to meal prep ahead of time, here are two things you can do in advance:
- Wash, core and roughly chop the cabbage
- Slice the kielbasa into rounds
This easy kielbasa and cabbage skillet is proof recipes can be simple and still be satisfying. I hope you'll give this meal a try any time you want to serve up something warm and nourishing!
FAQ
Yes. Cooking kielbasa and cabbage together in a skillet allows the sausage to flavor the cabbage while keeping the dish quick and simple.
Let's connect! If you made this recipe, I'd love to hear how it turned out. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your ratings and comments help other readers and it helps me know what you think!
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More Easy Kielbasa Recipes
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Recipe
Kielbasa and Cabbage
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Ingredients
- 13 ounces kielbasa, sliced into rounds
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 small green cabbage about 1.5–2 pounds, cored and chopped into roughly 2-inch pieces
- ¼ cup chicken broth water or vegetable broth also work
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- fresh parsley, dill or chives to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat 1 Tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced 13 ounces kielbasa, sliced into rounds and cook for 4–5 minutes until nicely browned. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Onion: In the same pan, add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of oil, if needed. Add the 1 medium onion, diced and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add the Cabbage: Add the chopped 1 small green cabbage to the skillet. There will be a lot - it will wilt down, don't worry! Pour in ¼ cup chicken broth, then cover with a lid.
- Let it steam for 8–10 minutes, stirring every now and then, until the cabbage is softened but not mushy.
- Combine and Simmer: Stir the browned kielbasa back into the cabbage mixture. Cover again and simmer on low for another 3–4 minutes.
- If the cabbage has released a lot of liquid, remove the lid and cook over high heat for a few minutes so the excess can evaporate.
- Finish the Dish: Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar just before serving for a bright, tangy finish.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, dill or chives
Notes
- Wash, core and roughly chop the cabbage
- Slice the kielbasa into rounds
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
