Easy sauerkraut and sausage

Bratwursts or kielbasa cooked with onions and sauerkraut, perfect for a quick dinner or lunch. It's great with mashed potatoes, cabbage, and lots of hot mustard... and a beer if'n you're of the age to be consuming such things. :D

Step 1: Ingredients!

Nothing too fancy in this one:

• 4 large or 8 small sausages of the kielbasa or bratwurst variety
• two good handfuls of sauerkraut (about 2 cups, I would guess)
• one large onion, sliced
• salt and pepper
• about a tablespoon of red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup water

You'll also need a large skillet to cook it in. :)

Step 2: Brown the sausages!

Heat a pan over medium heat, add a tiny bit of oil if you like, and cook the sausages for about five minutes or so. Stir them often so they get brown all over.

Step 3: Add onions and cook until softened

Cook them until they begin to get translucent and soft. :)

This will take another five minutes or so... make sure to stir them around quite often.

I typically add a pinch of salt and a good bit of pepper during this step in the cooking process.

Step 4: Add the sauerkraut

How you process the sauerkraut in this step is up to you. Some people like to rinse then squeeze their sauerkraut, and some people choose to just squeeze out the excess liquid. I'm in the second category. It all depends on how strong you want the flavors to be.

Squeeze out the kraut (picture three will give you a good idea of just how much liquid is in there!) and put it into the skillet.

Step 5: Add water and vinegar and simmer

Add about 1/3 cup of water and the vinegar to the pan and mix well. Let cook on low heat, stirring often, until the water is mostly evaporated.

This step might seem unnecessary, but it's the delicious flavor step! The water will allow you to scrape all the yummy browned bits off the bottom of the pan, and simmering it all together lets the flavors meld.

Step 6: Serve!

I especially like this with mustard and boiled potatoes. Would also be good as a filling for a sandwich! :D

It also keeps well for a few days, so you could have a delicious but stinky lunch at work.

Comments

[john pedersen]

I made it for my wife and I for supper tonight it was really delicious and easy to make!

[youkonbill]

I was worried the sauerkraut would be overpowering, but this dish is so nice and so easy. Love it!

[fzumrk]

Great tips for this dish. I would add that if you start with uncooked brats or other sausage, boil them in beer first.

[sunshiine]

Mmmmmmm watery mouth! Love sauerkraut! I will try this! thanks for sharing!
Sunshiine

[jessyratfink]

I hope you do, it's the best. :)

[onrust]

Your photos take the show. Well done Seniorita Fink

[jessyratfink]

Thank you! :D

[midsummermuse]

Could I ask what delicious looking mustard you use? Looks like a great recipe!

[jessyratfink]

Inglehoffer original stone ground. It's very hot and very good. :D

[MsJaxFla]

Oh yes, great recipe, instructions and photo's. I am starving now.

I like mine with either mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes or potato pancakes. Only thing is..... I want REAL potato pancakes made with fresh grated potatoes like my mom used to make.

I will be happy with any of the above, even mashed potatoes from the box.

[jessyratfink]

Yes, it's definitely the best with potatoes. :D

[mguer133]

I do not understand how this is an instructable? All you are doing is putting ingredients in a pan...
Still, it looks yummy.

[jessyratfink]

Well, you pretty much described cooking, ha. :) This is one of the easiest recipes I do, hence the lack of fancy footwork and instructions.

[Teeeppl522]

looks tasty

[mischka]

mhhh loving it!