GUYS! This potatoes and kielbasa recipe is not just a family favorite but a reader favorite. So many of you guys love this easy meal and it's no wonder. Salty savory kielbasa, sweet sauce, creamy potatoes, and crunchy bacon. It's perfection.
I live for easy meals during the week! This kielbasa dinner idea is a popular one around our house thanks to its ease and great flavor.
This meal is so versatile. I feel like it can be dubbed as "the perfect man meal" because doesn't every guy love a good meat and potatoes meal.
It's also the perfect family meal- what kid doesn't like hot dogs (which this sausage is closely related).
If you're on the hunt for more kielbasa dinner ideas, check out these shrimp boil foil packs and this sausage veggie sheet pan meal.
Why You Will Love Potato Kielbasa Skillet
- It's SO FAST to make. It's the best for those busy weeknights, yet unique enough to make for guests!
- ONE. PAN. MEAL. Need I say more?
- Fresh and healthy ingredients. This kielbasa skillet is fairly lean and full of dark green spinach that any girl on a diet could use this dinner as part of their meal plan.
- Sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
This kielbasa dinner recipe mostly uses wholesome, easy-to-find ingredients. Here are the highlights of what you will need.
- Smoked kielbasa: An inexpensive meat that's easy to prepare for meals. Keep reading for more about it!
- Potatoes: Use small potatoes or cut larger ones into medium bite-size pieces.
- Spinach: We love using fresh spinach for this kielbasa potato skillet but you could also use another fresh green such as Swiss chard or kale.
- Bacon: I like to use real bacon pieces or cook a few pieces and crumbled them. REAL is always better.
- Sauce: The sweet and savory sauce is made with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and dried thyme.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities of each.
What is Kielbasa?
Kielbasa means sausage. It is a polish sausage to be exact. It contains meat and ground-up spices. There is a variety of kielbasa made with different meats. I prefer to buy the all-beef kielbasa.
You can find it in the deli meat section or by the bacon in your grocery store. It's a sausage that has already been cooked and is in the shape of a U.
How to Make Potato Kielbasa Skillet
Are you ready to start preparing this easy skillet dinner? Follow along and see the various steps involved but be sure to check the recipe card for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Wash your potatoes and cut them into bite-size pieces. Place them in the microwave to par-cook for a few minutes.
- Also, if you are cooking your bacon you will also want to do that ahead of time too.
PRO TIP: Everything will be going into one pot. Use a large skillet or large braiser.
Step 2: Browning the Kielbasa
- Add a small amount of oil to the bottom of the pan to encourage browning on the sausage.
- Add your sausage to the pan.
- Followed by the onion.
- Cook on medium heat until the sausage is brown and the onion has softened.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
While the sausage and onions are cooking it's a good time to make the sauce.
In a small bowl combine and mix together:
- Brown sugar
- Dijon mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dried thyme
Step 3: Combine Everything Together
Now that your kielbasa is browned add the remaining ingredients to your pan.
- Add the potatoes to the pan.
- Pour in the sauce you made and stir everything together.
- Add the fresh spinach.
- Add the bacon and toss everything together and let cook for about 5 minutes. The spinach will cook down significantly.
How to Store
Ok it's doubtful you will have any of this family-friendly potato skillet dinner left but if you do, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Reheat leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350° F or in a skillet on the stove over medium heat.
Expert Tips
- Swap the regular potatoes for sweet potatoes for something a bit different or for special dietary needs.
- Make sure you use a large pan. Everything is going to cook in one pot so it needs to be big. You can also use a large Dutch oven if you don't have a large skillet.
- Find kielbasa in the deli meat section of the grocery store or with bacon.
- Use fresh, real bacon. The flavor is the BEST!
FAQs
Yes, it can! While it takes less than 30 minutes to make on the stovetop, a pressure cooker is a great way to enjoy more hands-free time since it mostly cooks on its own. First, cook the sausage and onions using the saute setting. Then add the sauce, potatoes, and remaining ingredients to the instant pot and cook on high for 5 minutes. Use quick release and serve it up.
Yes, it is! You are simply browning and heating it up in this easy kielbasa skillet.
Variations
Want to switch this dish up? Try these alterations:
- Amp up the veggies - add in bell pepper, zucchini, and yellow squash for a colorful addition.
- Swap your potatoes - try switching out your potatoes for sweet potatoes. This will give a nice sweetness to the dish.
More One-Pot Meals
Easy Potatoes and Kielbasa Skillet
Ingredients
- 10-12 red potatoes cubed
- 3 tablespoons water pressure cooker ½ cup
- ¾ pound smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage cut into ¼-inch slices****
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 5 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
Instructions
Skillet Directions:
- Place potatoes and water in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for about 8 minutes (depending on strength of microwave) or until tender; you will want to check every so often. you won't want them too tender or mushy because they will cook more in the skillet. drain.
- In a large skillet, saute kielbasa and onion in oil until onion translucent.
- Add potatoes; saute 3-5 minutes longer or until kielbasa and potatoes are lightly browned.
- In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pepper; stir into skillet.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
- Add spinach and bacon; cook and stir until spinach is wilted.
Pressure Cooker Directions
- Cook bacon and crumble.
- On saute setting add oil, sausage, onion and potatoes saute for a few minutes until brown. In small bowl mix brown sugar, vinegar, ½ cup water, mustard, thyme and pepper pour over potatoes. Add remaining ingredients and cook high 5 minutes. Quick release.
Video
Notes
- Swap the regular potatoes for sweet potatoes for something a bit different or for special dietary needs.
- Make sure you use a large pan. Everything is going to cook in one pot so it needs to be big. You can also use a large Dutch oven if you don't have a large skillet.
- Find kielbasa in the deli meat section of the grocery store or with bacon.
- Use fresh, real bacon. The flavor is the BEST!
peggy sperides says
We used venison polish with this recipe and it turned out wonderfully! Love the sweet and tangy sauce. It was simple to make and love how versatile it is by swapping out the spinach or adding peppers or whatever you have on hand.
Easy to follow step by step instructions. Thank you!
Emily Morris says
I was far more impressed than I expected. Easy to put together and adjust with what you have and the sauce was delicious.
Desarae says
Thank you Emily! It's one of our family favorites!
Angela Sims says
Thank you for a GREAT idea! We all enjoyed the dish. The sauce was a little sweet for us, but we really liked this.
Christine Haley says
This was so easy to prepare and my husband Rodger and I loved it. I doubled the sauce and also added some chopped garlic. Will definitely make again. Thank you for such a great recipe. CH
Rob says
This is literally one of the best things I've ever made. We added garlic to the sauce, and cooked the hell out of the sausage and onions and it was delicious. The sweet and savory combo flavors turned out amazing.
Melissa McMullan says
This dish was so easy and had such a great flavor! I loved the sauce - so delicious! I will definitely be making it again!
Desarae says
Thank you so much Melissa for making the meal and taking the time to leave a comment. I'm so happy you liked it.
Tamra Mcgavock says
Hey, you make a great job with Smoked Potato Kielbasa
helps me and my friend Domingo a lot in our Keto Diets. We have had a Custom Keto Diet
plan from here: You can have it too!
Life is so beautiful, I am so happy! :) Kiss you all!!!
Barbara says
I made the instant pot version @12 min. OMG this was so good!!! I loved the brown sugar mustard addition and added dried dill and steak seasoning for a little heat. Also I had to use up red bell pepper and poblano pepper that was on the brink of going bad in my frig. This is a keeper
Jessie says
I cant get over all the flavors of this dish!!
Cyndi J says
This potAto kielbasa recipe came out deliciosly from my pressure cooker and it’s so easy to make! I have made it tWice now, one with spinacHe and another with green beans. Love it!
Beth N says
This is one of the best meals I've cooked in a long time. Just excellent!
Desarae says
THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.