Description
Hearty Polish sausage sauerkraut and potatoes bring classic comfort from Eastern European kitchens to dinner tables. Savory ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a rustic meal that connects generations through traditional flavors you can enjoy with family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) polish sausage (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 5–6 medium gold potatoes (cut into large chunks)
- 16 oz (454 g) sauerkraut (for base layer)
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth (for moisture and flavor)
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (for traditional flavor)
- 1 bay leaf (for subtle herbal flavor)
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice polish sausage into diagonal medallions and quarter potatoes into rustic chunks for optimal cooking and presentation.
- Base Layer: Spread sauerkraut evenly across slow cooker bottom, creating a tangy foundation for the dish’s flavor profile.
- Layering Technique: Arrange potato quarters atop sauerkraut, then distribute sausage medallions uniformly to ensure balanced ingredient coverage.
- Flavor Infusion: Whisk chicken broth with caraway seeds and bay leaf, then pour gently over layered ingredients to enhance overall taste complexity.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle minimal kosher salt and black pepper, considering the inherent saltiness of sauerkraut and sausage.
- Cooking Process: Cover slow cooker and set to high temperature, allowing ingredients to meld and develop rich flavors for 4 hours.
- Finalization: Remove bay leaf, gently fold ingredients to integrate flavors, and serve immediately while steaming hot, presenting a robust Central European-inspired meal.
Notes
- Optimize Ingredient Layering: Creating strategic layers ensures even flavor distribution and prevents ingredients from becoming soggy or unevenly cooked.
- Control Salt Sensitivity: Since sauerkraut and Polish sausage naturally contain salt, use a light hand when adding extra seasoning to avoid an overly salty dish.
- Broth Balance Technique: Whisking caraway seeds into chicken broth infuses deeper aromatic layers and helps create a more complex flavor profile.
- Temperature Precision: Cooking on high for exactly 4 hours guarantees tender potatoes, perfectly heated sausage, and fully developed taste without risking ingredient breakdown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg