This Kielbasa and Cabbage gets a bold Southern twist in this easy skillet dinner. Instead of traditional Polish flavors, this version uses Cajun seasoning for a little heat and plenty of flavor. Best of all, it's a quick and satisfying meal that's ready in about 30 minutes.
Kielbasa and Cabbage Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Dish
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 25 minutes on the stove
- 🍴 Servings: 4-6 servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Smoky, savory, slightly spicy, and hearty.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Cornbread, rice, or enjoyed on its own as a complete meal.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Summarize and Save This Content On
This is one of my go-to recipes when I want a filling, comforting meal without putting in much effort. Most of the ingredients are pantry-friendly staples, and it works just as well as a side dish as it does a main course.
The tender cabbage and caramelized sausage always make it a hit at our house, and Ken almost always goes back for seconds! Some more delicious cabbage recipes that I recommend are this easy cabbage roll soup and braised cabbage and vegetables.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's made with budget-friendly ingredients: If you're looking for a filling yet affordable meal, this is a must-try. It uses inexpensive ingredients, but the result is impressive and satisfying.
- It works as a side or a main: You may serve the kielbasa and cabbage as a side dish with less sausage, or as a main course with extra sausage.
- It's ready in 30 minutes: In just 30 minutes, you can have this fried cabbage and kielbasa prepared, cooked, and on the table.
- It's cooked in just one pan: To save on cleanup, this entire recipe can be cooked in a single skillet.
Ingredients
You'll need the items below to make the best kielbasa and cabbage skillet possible. They're all common ingredients you can easily get your hands on.
- Smoked sausage: Use kielbasa if you want to keep the recipe classic, but any type of cooked, smoked sausage will work perfectly.
- Cajun seasoning: Taste test because the salt level will depend on the brand of seasoning. Use it to make these Cajun pretzels, too!
- Cabbage: I use one medium green cabbage for this cabbage and kielbasa. If you want to cut out some time, you can use pre-shredded coleslaw mix. About 2 lbs is the equivalent of one medium head.
- Lemon juice: This adds brightness to balance the richness of the dish. I prefer it over white vinegar because it complements the other ingredients instead of overwhelming them. If you want to use vinegar, use apple cider or red wine vinegar as substitutes.
- Bell peppers: I like to use one red and one green bell pepper for both color and flavor contrast. Red peppers have more sweetness than green, so they bring balance.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Extra spicy: Turn up the heat by adding some crushed red pepper flakes or using a spicy smoked sausage.
- Swap the sausage: Try turkey kielbasa or chicken smoked sausage for a lighter version.
- Add greens: Stir in a cup of spinach or kale for extra nutrients, color, and texture.
How to Make Kielbasa and Sausage
Below are the steps needed for this Southern-fried cabbage and sausage recipe. Chop your ingredients and measure the spices before you get started.
Step 1: Brown the sausage. Heat your oil in a skillet over medium heat, and then brown the kielbasa slices. It should take 4-5 minutes per side, then transfer them to a separate bowl.
Step 2: Sauté the onions and peppers. Add the onions and bell peppers to the pan and saute them for about 5 minutes or until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
Step 3: Cook the cabbage. Add the cabbage and spices and cook for about 7-9 minutes, or until the cabbage is nice and tender.
Step 4: Combine and serve. Return the sausage to the skillet, add a squeeze of lemon juice, and toss everything together. Serve with baked brown bread.
Expert Tips
- Don't stir the cabbage too often: Allow the cabbage some time to brown and caramelize in the pan by stirring occasionally. Stirring too much will cause it to steam instead, and you won't get the same color and depth of flavor.
- Cook the sausage in batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan with slices of kielbasa. Brown it in batches so they get plenty of color, too.
- Save lemon juice for the end: This is a finishing ingredient, not a cooking ingredient. Squeeze the lemon over the cabbage with kielbasa sausage right before serving.
- Storing leftovers: Place any leftover kielbasa and sausage into an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Avoid freezing them, as the cabbage becomes mushy when it thaws. Reheat the leftovers in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water for best results.
If you enjoy kielbasa, air frying kielbasa for a simple meal!
Serving Suggestions
- Starchy sides: Serve this Polish kielbasa and sausage recipe with creamy mashed potatoes or air-fried garlic potatoes.
- Green veggies: You can never have too many vegetables on your plate! Enjoy lemon garlic asparagus or steamed green peas on the side.
- Bread: Crusty French bread or homemade fluffy dinner rolls go perfectly with this smoked sausage and cabbage skillet.
- Protein additions: Serve this recipe as a side dish with grilled chicken thighs or skillet pork chops.
Kielbasa and Cabbage Recipe FAQs
Cajun seasoning blends not only vary with spice level but also with salt level, and the sausage brings some salt to the dish as well. Taste test your kielbasa and sausage before you add too much Cajun seasoning, so it doesn't become too salty.
Sure! You may make it up to 24 hours ahead. It reheats well, and the flavors actually deepen overnight!
More Easy One-Pan Recipes
Do you like meals that cook up in a single pan? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Kielbasa and Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 16 oz smoked sausage sliced into ¼ inch pieces
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 pounds green cabbage cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1 medium cabbage, cored)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt optional if needed
Instructions
- In a large tall-sided skillet over medium heat, heat the oil and brown the sausage slices until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove to a clean bowl.
- Add the onion, and bell peppers and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté an additional minute.
- Stir cabbage, Cajun seasoning, pepper, and smoked paprika into the pan and sauté, stirring every few minutes until the cabbage is tender, about 7-9 minutes.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the top and toss with the sausage. Add salt, if needed, to taste.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Resist the urge to stir the cabbage constantly. Stir occasionally to give it time to brown and caramelize, which adds deeper flavor and better color.
- This dish can be made up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors continue to develop as it sits, making leftovers just as delicious the next day.
- For the best color and flavor, brown the kielbasa in batches if needed. Overcrowding the pan can cause the sausage to steam instead of caramelize.
Eric Almon Foss says
Looks good ! Going to give it a try soon!
Karin and Ken says
I hope you enjoy it as much as we all do. All the best. Karin