Half-Smoke with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Onion Relish

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic Washington, D.C. street food experience featuring a spicy smoked sausage served with tangy pickled vegetables. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs half-smoke sausage, sourdough bun, sauerkraut for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (312 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp dill seed, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add 1/2 cup sliced red cabbage and 1/4 cup sliced red onion; toss to coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes while preparing the sausage.
  2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook 4 half-smoke sausages for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and heated through.
  3. Step 3: Whisk together 2 tbsp mayonnaise and 1 tsp Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
  4. Step 4: Assemble by placing sausages in buns. Top with 2 tbsp sauerkraut, then 2 tbsp pickled cabbage relish, and finish with a dollop of mustard-mayo mixture.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Smoke with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Onion Relish take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Half-Smoke with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Onion Relish?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep half-smoke sausage from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Smoke with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Onion Relish?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-Smoke with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Onion Relish for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-Smoke with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Onion Relish?

American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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