Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage Recipe with Potatoes and Apples

Last Updated on October 7, 2021 by Anne-Marie

This sausage and sauerkraut slow cooker recipe is made with apples and potatoes and is super easy to put together.

Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage with Apples and Potatoes in white bowl, with fork and green apples and red potatoes.

Why this recipe works

This simple sauerkraut and sausage recipe is truly a dump-and-go meal. (Well, you do have to chop a few things up.)

My family loves the sweet and tangy combination of sauerkraut, sausage, and apples. It’s the perfect meal!

I love that it’s so easy to put together. The most time-consuming thing about this kraut and sausage recipe is cutting up the sausage, potatoes, and apples. And trying to get the sauerkraut jar open!

A closeup of slow cooker sauerkraut and sausage with apples and potatoes in a white bowl with fork and red potatoes.

How to make slow cooker sauerkraut and sausage

This will soon become a favorite easy crock pot recipe for dinner or parties.

1. First, spray your crock-pot with cooking spray or line it with a slow cooker liner.

(Love those liners! Since I started using them, I don’t have to soak and scrub my crockpot any more!)

2. Pour the sauerkraut including the juice into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.

3. Add the sliced sausage, potatoes, and apples to the crock.

There’s no need to peel either the red potatoes or the Granny Smith apples. Just chop them up into bite-sized pieces

4. Add the juice, vegetable or chicken broth, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix ingredients.

5. Cover and cook this slow cooker sausage and sauerkraut recipe on Low 6-7 hours or High for 3-4 hours.

6. Stir the sliced sausage, sauerkraut, apples, and potatoes before serving.

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container. The next day heat up the leftovers in the microwave.

White bowls of slow cooker sauerkraut, sausage, potatoes, and apples with napkins and forks.

What kind of sausage?

If you’re gluten-free, I highly recommend using Aidells Chicken & Apple sausage in this easy slow cooker recipe. They’re terrific in this delicious recipe.

I like that they’re precooked, so I don’t have to worry about the slow cooking not cooking them perfectly through.

However, if that’s not a concern, you can also use Polish sausage or smoked kielbasa to make this into a slow cooker kielbasa recipe.

What kind of sauerkraut?

While you can get canned sauerkraut, I prefer the fresh kind of jarred good sauerkraut that’s found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.

If you make a homemade sauerkraut recipe, you can use that, too, of course!

What kind of sweetener?

This recipe calls for brown sugar. But if you’re avoiding sugar, use Swerve Sweetener, Brown, which is a no-calorie, all-natural sweetener with no bitter aftertaste.

Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage with Apples and Potatoes in a white bowl.

How to serve slow cooker sauerkraut and sausage at a party

Planning a party? Don’t slice up the Aidells sausage, but keep them whole and serve on buns. (They’ll cook up fine in your Crock-Pot.)

Just make sure they’re covered with plenty of apples, potatoes, and sauerkraut so they’re kept moist.

Serving: Then serve the chicken and apple sausage in (gluten-free) buns slathered with a touch of Dijon mustard. (You can also do this with Polish or kielbasa sausage.)

Top the sausage with sauerkraut mixture. Good stuff like apples and potatoes can be served on the side.

Three white bowls of crock pot sausage, sauerkraut, potatoes, and apples with a forks, red potatoes, and green apple..

More apple recipes

Who doesn’t love cooking with apples? These are some of our favorite recipes:

Yield: 6 SERVINGS

Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage Recipe with Potatoes and Apples

Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage with Apples and Potatoes in a white bowl.

This sausage and sauerkraut slow cooker recipe is gluten-free. A sauerkraut and apples slow cooker recipe made with sausage and potatoes.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (32-ounce) jar sauerkraut
  • 2 12-ounce packages Aidells Chicken & Apple sausage, sliced into 1" pieces
  • 1 pound red potatoes, chopped into 1/2" to 1" pieces
  • 2 large Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped into 1/2" to 1" pieces
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 1 cup vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pour sauerkraut, including juice, into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  2. Add the sliced sausage, potatoes, and apples to the crock.
  3. Add the juice, broth, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix ingredients.
  4. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Stir before serving.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 184Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 704mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 4gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g

Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.

Originally published on Mar 16, 2016. Updated with new information and pictures.

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Recipe rating: 5 4 3 2 1