Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Potatoes
This easy slow cooker kielbasa and potatoes recipe is a hearty, comforting dinner made with tender baby potatoes, smoky kielbasa, buttery onion seasoning, and chicken broth. With just 5 simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep, the slow cooker takes care of the rest.
It’s an ideal easy weeknight dinner, especially when you want a filling meal without spending much time in the kitchen. The potatoes slowly absorb the savory butter and onion flavors while the kielbasa becomes hot, juicy, and wonderfully smoky.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Potatoes
- Easy 5-ingredient dinner: Simple ingredients make this recipe perfect for busy evenings.
- Minimal prep: Add everything to the slow cooker and let it cook.
- Hearty and satisfying: Potatoes and smoked sausage make a filling family meal.
- Budget-friendly: Affordable pantry and refrigerator staples stretch into four generous servings.
- One-pot cleanup: Everything cooks together in the slow cooker.
- Great for leftovers: The leftovers reheat well and can even be crisped in a skillet.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds small baby potatoes, rinsed and left whole, or halved if large
- 1 1/2 pounds smoked kielbasa, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 packet (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
How to Make Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Potatoes
1. Add the potatoes
Place the baby potatoes in an even layer in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Cut larger potatoes in half so they cook evenly.
2. Add the kielbasa
Arrange the sliced kielbasa over the potatoes, spreading the pieces evenly throughout the slow cooker.
3. Season everything
Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the potatoes and sausage. Dot the butter pieces across the top.
4. Add the broth
Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the slow cooker. This creates flavorful cooking juices without washing all of the seasoning away.
5. Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the kielbasa is heated through.
6. Stir and serve
Gently stir everything together, coating the potatoes and kielbasa with the buttery onion juices. Taste before adding salt because the kielbasa and onion soup mix can already be well seasoned.
Serve hot with some of the flavorful cooking juices spooned over each portion.
Serving Ideas
This kielbasa and potato slow cooker recipe is hearty enough to serve on its own, but a fresh side can balance the richness.
Try serving it with:
- Green beans with lemon
- A crisp green salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Braised cabbage
- Sauerkraut
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls
For an extra-hearty meal, serve the kielbasa and potatoes alongside buttered egg noodles.
Easy Variations
Add vegetables: Baby carrots or sliced yellow onion can cook right alongside the potatoes for extra flavor and color.
Use fresh herbs: Add dried thyme or parsley for a more herb-forward flavor.
Reduce the butter: For a lighter version, use 2 tablespoons of butter and increase the chicken broth to 3/4 cup.
Make it extra smoky: Choose a strongly smoked kielbasa for a deeper smoky flavor.
Lower the sodium: Use low-sodium kielbasa and chicken broth, and avoid adding extra salt until after cooking.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover slow cooker kielbasa and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or water. For crispier edges, cook over medium-high heat until the kielbasa and potatoes develop a lightly browned exterior.
Recipe Benefits
This recipe is especially useful for busy households because it combines easy preparation, affordable ingredients, and a filling one-pot meal. The slow cooking process allows the potatoes to absorb the savory onion and butter flavors while keeping the preparation almost completely hands-off.
It also works well for family dinners, meal prep, cozy weekend meals, and easy comfort food nights.
