The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Sometimes, especially during summer, we crave a perfect piece of grilled meat. This recipe and tutorial for grilled kielbasa will satisfy that craving, especially when you pair it with sweet peppers and sauerkraut.
It costs around $14.25 to make this Grilled Kielbasa. The recipe makes six servings for about $2.37 per serving.
Grilled Kielbasa
If you’ve never eaten it before or just always wondered, kielbasa is a Polish smoked sausage made mostly from pork. Generally, you can grab it at your local grocery store pre-cooked, which means all you need to do to serve it to your family is to give it a good grilling!
Kielbasa is surprisingly family-friendly, just in case you have picky eaters. It has a texture similar to hot dogs; our youngest kids often can’t tell the difference!
The juicy, tender, smokey kielbasa pairs perfectly with the sweet and slightly charred peppers. Grilled Kielbasa is a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort and cost. With less than five ingredients and a little bit of grill time, you will be on your way to delicious Grilled Kielbasa in no time!
Why You Wil Love Grilled Kielbasa
- Rich and Savory Flavor: Grilling kielbasa brings out its rich and smoky flavors. The grill’s heat caramelizes the outer layer, creating a slightly crispy and flavorful crust while retaining the juicy and tender interior.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Grilled kielbasa is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Serve it on a bun as a classic hot dog, slice it and incorporate it into sandwiches or wraps, or serve it alongside grilled vegetables for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
- Versatility in Pairings: Grilled kielbasa pairs well with various condiments and sides. You can serve it with mustard, sauerkraut, pickles, or barbecue sauce. It also complements a variety of side dishes, such as grilled vegetables, potato salad, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 2 packages of kielbasa – $7.50
- 16 ounces mini sweet peppers – $2.99
- 3 cups chicken stock – $1.27
- 16 ounce jar sauerkraut – $2.49
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in June 2023.
How To Grill Kielbasa
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Place the kielbasa and peppers on the grill. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the peppers are charred and the kielbasa has nice grill marks.
- Remove everything from the grill and set aside.
- Add sauerkraut, kielbasa, and peppers to a large cast iron skillet or aluminum pan.
- Add enough chicken stock to cover the sausage.
- Return to the grill and cook for 45-60 minutes. Add additional chicken stock as needed.
- Serve immediately!
Grilled Kielbasa Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Simplify the Recipe: You can make this recipe even easier by skipping the steps of adding the sausage, chicken stock, and sauerkraut to a pan and serve it after grilling.
- Vegetable Substitutions: If you don’t have mini sweet peppers, you can substitute them with other vegetables. Sliced onions, bell peppers (any color), zucchini, or cherry tomatoes can work well. Toss the vegetables with a little oil, salt, and pepper before grilling alongside the kielbasa.
- Broth Alternatives: Instead of using chicken stock, you can switch it up with other types of broth or liquid. Beef or vegetable broth can add a different flavor profile to the dish. You can also try using beer or apple cider for a unique twist.
- Sauerkraut Variations: While sauerkraut adds a tangy and flavorful element to the dish, you can experiment with different variations or substitutes. For example, you can use kimchi instead of sauerkraut for a Korean-inspired twist. Alternatively, you can make your own homemade sauerkraut using cabbage, salt, and seasonings.
Serving and Storage Tips
SERVE: As stated above, there is no need to wait after the meat is done…you can eat it immediately!
STORE: Kielbasa will stay fresh for three days in an airtight container.
FREEZE: We honestly do not recommend freezing grilled kielbasa! While we’re all for experimenting with freezing meals when you can, the meat will dry out and become very unappetizing if you freeze it.
REHEAT: Bring your kielbasa back to life on the stove, microwave, or oven. Or, don’t reheat it at all! It tastes wonderful cold.
Grilled Kielbasa Recipe FAQs
You’ll need 60-75ish minutes to cook it on the grill. Before that, you’ll only need about 10 minutes of prep time.
This should make enough for about six servings.
Everything you’d put on a basic hot dog will do! Ketchup and mustard are fine! Garlic-based sauces also taste amazing! Throw your grilled kielbasa on a bun, or eat it right off the plate!
Try zucchini, mushrooms, potatoes, carrots or onions, or even red cherry tomatoes on a skewer! You shouldn’t have to season them, other than with a little salt and pepper, as you’ll throw them in with the chicken broth/beer. Spicy peppers (rather than sweet peppers) are also delicious!
It’s entirely up to your tastes. Many people feel that kielbasa loses its juiciness when it’s pricked/sliced before cooking. We tend to agree here on the blog, but it won’t make it inedible!
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Your smallest cooks will enjoy fetching you various utensils as they learn what each is named!
Ages 4-5: In this age group, kids love setting timers and helping you pour the chicken broth into the skillet. They can also help you plate the finished dish.
Ages 6-8: You can teach the older kids in this age set how to preheat a grill and check when the kielbasa is done.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe and show them how to use the grill/smoker. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
Shop the ads! Sometimes, especially during the summer, different stores offer Keilbasa and other ingredients on sale. Shopping around is one technique for saving money.
More Grill Recipes
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Grilled Peaches
- Grilled Potatoes in Foil
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Grilled Italian Sausage
- Grilled Hot Dogs
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts
- The Best Grilled Pork Chops
- Grilled Pork Kabobs
- Grilled Bacon
Grilled Kielbasa
Recipe Cost 14.25 Serving Cost 2.37Equipment
- gas grill
- Cast iron skillet
- measuring cups
Ingredients
- 2 packages rope kielbasa
- 16 ounces mini sweet peppers
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 16 ounce jar sauerkraut
Instructions
PREP GRILL:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
GRILL:
- Place kielbasa and peppers on a grill and cook for 8-10 minutes until peppers are charred, and the kielbasa has nice grill marks.
- Remove from the grill and set aside.
- Add sauerkraut, kielbasa, and peppers to a large cast iron skillet or aluminum pan.
- Add enough chicken stock to cover the sausage.
- Return to the grill and cook for 45-60 minutes.
- Add additional chicken stock as needed.
- Serve immediately.
Carrie Robinson says
Great idea to make this in a cast iron skillet on the grill! 🙂 A must-make this summer.
Beth says
I’ve loved kielbasa and sauerkraut since I was a kid. My mom used to make it all the time. I’ve never had a version like this before. It looks amazing!
Anjali says
This is such an easy and simple recipe – but is packed with flavor!! Our family loved it!
Janie says
We made this for our bbq this weekend. It was really delicious and i stuffed it in a hot dog bun with the sauerkraut and peppers on top!
Kushigalu says
Easy recipe packed full of flavor. Thanks a lot for sharing.