Description

This Slow Cooker Kielbasa recipe offers a flavorful and easy way to prepare kielbasa with a tangy and sweet sauce made from barbecue sauce, orange marmalade, and spices. Perfect for a hearty meal or party appetizer, the kielbasa is slow-cooked to tender perfection with a rich, thickened sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Kielbasa

2 to 3 lbs kielbasa, cut into 2 inch pieces

Sauce Ingredients

1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
1 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Thickening Mixture

2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons water

Instructions

Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Cut the kielbasa: Slice the kielbasa into 2-inch pieces and place them evenly inside the slow cooker.
Mix the sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, orange marmalade, Worcestershire sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Stir well until fully blended.
Add sauce to kielbasa: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the kielbasa pieces in the slow cooker.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the kielbasa is heated through and flavors meld.
Thicken the sauce (optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to dissolve fully. Add this mixture to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking, stirring well to combine.
Final stir and serve: Once cooking is complete, give the kielbasa a good stir to coat all pieces in the flavorful sauce. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

For more intensity, you can sauté the kielbasa slices in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker to brown them slightly.
Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar or orange marmalade to suit your preference.
This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat thoroughly before serving.
For a gluten-free version, ensure the barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: slow cooker kielbasa, kielbasa recipe, slow cooked sausage, barbecue kielbasa, easy kielbasa recipe, party appetizer