Crock Pot Saucy Kielbasa
If you need an easy dinner for your workday, this Crock Pot Saucy Kielbasa is just what you need! Sliced kielbasa, colorful bell peppers, onions, and sweet pineapple tidbits cook together in a tangy BBQ sauce for a delicious, family-friendly meal.
The best part? This recipe cooks on LOW for 8 hours, making it perfect for busy workdays! Add everything to the crock pot in the morning, head out the door, and come home to a hot, ready-to-serve dinner. No browning, no complicated prep, and no standing over the stove.
Serve the saucy kielbasa over rice or mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious BBQ pineapple sauce. It’s an easy dinner the whole family will love!
Kielbasa is such and easy shortcut for dinner! If you also think so try Crock Pot Kielbasa and Pierogi, Crock Pot Kielbasa Potato Soup, One Skillet Kielbasa & Gnocchi, Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Pierogi, or Air Fryer Kielbasa and Veggies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for workdays: The 8-hour cook time makes this an excellent recipe to start before leaving for work.
- Easy prep: Just slice the kielbasa, chop the vegetables, and add everything to the crock pot.
- No browning required: There is no need to cook the kielbasa before adding it.
- Sweet and savory: BBQ sauce and pineapple create a delicious sweet and tangy sauce.
- Family friendly: Serve over rice or mashed potatoes for an easy, filling dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Crock Pot– 6 quart or larger. This is what I have. I love it!
- Kielbasa: Two packages of your favorite kielbasa. Slice into bite-sized rounds.
- Bell peppers: Red, yellow, and green bell peppers add color and flavor.
- Onion: A large diced onion adds savory flavor.
- Pineapple tidbits: Use the entire can, including the juice! The pineapple adds sweetness that pairs perfectly with BBQ sauce.
- BBQ sauce: One 18-ounce bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce. Use whichever variety your family enjoys.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce so it coats the kielbasa and vegetables.
How to Make Crock Pot Saucy Kielbasa
- Prep the ingredients. Slice the kielbasa into rounds. Dice the bell peppers and onion into large pieces.
- Add everything to the crock pot. Add the sliced kielbasa, bell peppers, onion, pineapple tidbits with their juice, and BBQ sauce. Stir everything together.
- Cook. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. If you’re home, stir halfway through cooking.
- Thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid until smooth. Pour it into the crock pot and stir to combine.
- Finish cooking. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens. You can do this during the last part of cooking or wait until the end and cook on HIGH for another 15 minutes.
- Serve. Spoon the saucy kielbasa and vegetables over rice or mashed potatoes.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Saucy Kielbasa
- Make it a workday dinner: This recipe is designed for an 8-hour LOW cook time. Prep everything in the morning, turn on the crock pot, and dinner will be ready when you get home.
- Don’t worry about stirring: If you’re away at work, it’s perfectly fine to skip the halfway stir. Just give everything a good stir before serving.
- Cut the vegetables into large pieces: Larger pieces help the peppers and onions hold their shape during the long cooking time.
- Thicken the sauce when you get home: If you don’t have time to thicken the sauce before leaving, simply whisk the cornstarch with some cooking liquid when you get home. Cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes.
- Choose your favorite BBQ sauce: Sweet, smoky, honey BBQ, or original BBQ sauce all work well.
💕 Share the Love
Know someone who would love this recipe? Share it with a friend or tag them so they can try it too!
It helps more people find easy, family-friendly recipes like this 💗
What to Serve with Saucy Kielbasa
This recipe is delicious served over something that can soak up all the sweet and tangy sauce!
- White rice or brown rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Egg noodles
- Steamed broccoli
- A simple green salad
- Dinner rolls
Variations and Substitutions
- Use smoked sausage: Smoked sausage can be substituted for kielbasa.
- Change the peppers: Use whatever color bell peppers you have on hand.
- Make it sweeter: Choose a honey BBQ sauce for a sweeter flavor or add a little brown sugar.
- Add a little heat: Use spicy BBQ sauce or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Use fresh pineapple: Fresh pineapple chunks can be substituted for canned pineapple, although you’ll want to add a little pineapple juice or water to replace the canned juice.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftover kielbasa and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in a saucepan on the stovetop until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook Crock Pot Saucy Kielbasa while I’m at work?
Yes! That’s one of the best things about this recipe. It cooks on LOW for 8 hours, making it perfect for a workday dinner. Add the ingredients in the morning, cover, and let the crock pot do the work. You don’t need to stir halfway through if you’re not home.
Can I cook this recipe on HIGH instead?
Yes. If you’re short on time, cook on HIGH for approximately 4 hours. The LOW setting is my preference for a longer workday cook.
Do I need to brown the kielbasa first?
No! Just slice the kielbasa and add it directly to the crock pot. No extra pans or browning required.
Can I skip the cornstarch?
Yes, but the sauce will be thinner. The cornstarch helps create a thicker BBQ sauce that coats the kielbasa and vegetables.
Can I thicken the sauce at the end?
Absolutely! This is a great option if you’re making this recipe while you’re away at work. When you get home, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cooking liquid, stir it into the crock pot, and cook on HIGH for another 15 minutes.
What should I serve with Crock Pot Saucy Kielbasa?
Rice and mashed potatoes are my favorite options because they soak up all that delicious BBQ pineapple sauce. Egg noodles are another great choice!
More Weekday Family Dinners
- Crock Pot Whole Chicken Dinner
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- French Onion Pot Roast
- Beef Ragu
- Beef Barley Stew
- Three Packet Pot Roast
- Crock Pot Short Ribs
This post contains affiliate links
Crock Pot Saucy Kielbasa
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 packages kielbasa sliced
- 1 red bell pepper diced large
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced large
- 1 green bell pepper diced large
- 1 onion diced large
- 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits with juice
- 18 ounce bottle BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Add the sliced kielbasa, bell peppers, onion, pineapple with juice, and BBQ sauce to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
- If you’re home, stir halfway through cooking.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cooking liquid until smooth.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the crock pot.
- Continue cooking until thickened. If adding the cornstarch at the end, cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Perfect for a busy workday! The 8-hour LOW cooking time makes this an easy morning prep dinner.
- You can skip stirring halfway through if you’re away from home.
- Add the cornstarch mixture during the last part of cooking or when you get home to thicken the sauce.
Nutrition
👩🍳 Follow Along for More
Love easy, real-life recipes? Follow along for simple meals your whole family will actually eat.
Follow Steph’s Real Life
