Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet 🌭🥬🔥 One-Pan Comfort With Crispy Sausage, Tangy Kraut, and Deep Golden Flavor

This is the kind of skillet dinner that tastes like it took hours but comes together in under 30 minutes. Smoky sausages seared until golden, sauerkraut braised in beer or broth, and onions cooked until jammy and sweet.

Serve it as-is, with mustard and crusty bread, or over potatoes for full German-style comfort.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the skillet

• 1 tbsp oil or butter
• 4 smoked sausages or bratwursts (fully cooked)
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups sauerkraut (drained, not rinsed)
• ½ cup beer or low-sodium broth
• 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 tbsp brown sugar or ½ an apple, thinly sliced

To finish

• Grainy mustard or Dijon, for serving
• Chopped parsley (optional)
• Crusty bread or mashed potatoes (optional but excellent)

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the sausage

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add sausages and sear until browned on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the onions

• In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add a touch more oil if needed.
• Add onions and sauté 5–7 minutes until soft and golden. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 3: Add sauerkraut and braise

• Stir in sauerkraut, beer (or broth), caraway seeds, and optional sugar or apple slices.
• Return sausages to the pan and nestle them into the kraut.
• Cover loosely and simmer 10–12 minutes until sausages are heated through and flavors meld.

Step 4: Finish and serve

• Uncover, let any excess liquid cook off, and taste. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Serve hot, topped with mustard, parsley, and bread or potatoes on the side.

Flavor Variations

• Use kielbasa or turkey sausage for variety
• Add baby potatoes or sliced cabbage directly to the skillet
• Stir in a spoonful of whole-grain mustard for zip
• Top with shredded Swiss or Gruyère and broil briefly for a melty finish
• Swap beer for cider for a sweeter profile

Pro Tips

• Don’t skip the browning — that golden crust adds big flavor
• Use high-quality kraut with live cultures for better texture and taste
• Let the skillet sit covered off heat for 5 minutes before serving to deepen the flavor
• Thin kraut with a splash of broth if it gets too dry while simmering

Final Thoughts

Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet is the perfect blend of bold, briny, and deeply savory. It’s fast enough for a weeknight but hearty enough to feel like a meal worth slowing down for — especially with a cold beer and warm bread on the side.

Sear it. Simmer it. Serve it hot and saucy. 🌭🥬🔥

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