Cabbage and Sausage (Easy One Skillet Recipe)

This sausage and cabbage recipe is so simple, yet every bite leaves you wanting more. It combines savory smoked sausage with tender cabbage, making for the ultimate hearty side dish or even main course!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

A winning combination. Cabbage and sausage is literally a match made in heaven. The salty, smoky sausage and tender sauteed cabbage complement each other so well. Then the subtle addition of vinegar balances out the flavors of each, and the garlic and onion add a delicious savoriness.

It's healthy. This cabbage and sausage skillet recipe is literally just veggies and protein, so it's a super healthy and delicious dish.

One-pan meal. Everything you need to make this dish comes together in one skillet, making the process really simple. Plus, it's mostly hands-off cooking, so you barely have to be in the kitchen!

It's versatile. You can serve this as a healthy side with another low carb meal like my keto meatloaf or keto lasagna, or have it as the main meal with my keto french fries.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Kielbasa sausage- or any smoked sausage will work, like andouille sausage or smoked Italian sausage.
• Olive oil- for sautéeing the sausages and cabbage. 
• Onion- chopped to add flavor.
• Garlic- minced and preferably fresh cloves.
• Cabbage- cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces. I used green cabbage, but purple cabbage will work too.
• Red wine vinegar- to balance out the other flavors and make the cabbage more tender. You can swap it for apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar, or white vinegar if you prefer.
• Salt and black pepper- just a pinch.
• Fresh parsley- for garnish.

How To Make Cabbage and Sausage

Step 1: Cook the sausages. Cut the sausages into about 1-inch pieces. Heat a Dutch oven or large skillet to medium-high heat and add half of the oil to it. Once it's hot, add the sausage slices and cook for 10 minutes, then set aside.

Step 2: Cook the cabbage. Add the rest of the oil, chopped onions, garlic, cabbage, and vinegar to the skillet. Lower the heat to low, cover with a lid, and cook for 35 minutes or until the cabbage is soft. Remove the lid occasionally and stir to ensure nothing burns or sticks. If needed, you can add ½ cup of water to prevent burning.

Step 3: Assemble and serve. Add the cooked sausages back to the Dutch oven or skillet and season everything to taste with salt and pepper. Give it all a stir, serve warm garnished with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Flavor Variations and Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Saute the cabbage for a shorter period of time if you like it crisp with a little crunch. About 25 minutes will do the trick.
• Serve this cabbage and sausage skillet over cooked rice, potatoes, or pasta to make a hearty meal.
• If you want to add more flavor, stir in some cooked bacon, fire-roasted tomatoes, or diced apples.
• Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the cooked cabbage for a spicy kick.
• Play around with different seasonings to switch up the flavor. Some of my favorite seasonings to use are Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, or caraway seeds.
• Swap the kielbasa sausage for leaner sausage, like chicken sausage or turkey sausage, to make a healthier dish.

How To Store Cabbage with Sausage

In the fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days.

In the freezer: Allow leftovers to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: I like to reheat the leftovers on the stovetop in a large skillet set over medium heat. It only takes a few minutes, and you'll need to stir frequently so it reheats evenly. For a quicker method, you can microwave the leftovers in 20-second intervals, stopping to stir between each, until they reach your desired temperature. 

More Recipes To Try Next

• Brenda Gantt cabbage casserole
• Kielbasa and sauerkraut
• Cabbage roll casserole
• Cabbage soup
• Kielbasa pasta