Wurstfest Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet
A hearty one-pan meal celebrating New Braunfels' German heritage, featuring smoky sausages and tangy sauerkraut with a hint of caraway. This german-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs smoked sausage, sauerkraut, small, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz smoked sausage
- 10 oz sauerkraut
- 1 small, finely diced yellow onion
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 slices, thinly sliced dill pickles
- 4 slices, toasted sourdough bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz smoked sausage slices and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crisp on both sides, turning occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 10 oz sauerkraut, 1 small diced yellow onion, and 1 tsp caraway seeds to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 4 minutes until the onion softens and sauerkraut releases liquid.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute until thickened. Gradually pour in 1/2 cup beef broth while whisking to prevent lumps, then simmer for 3 minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, add 2 tbsp butter and 3 thin dill pickle slices, stirring until melted and incorporated. Serve immediately over 4 toasted sourdough slices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wurstfest Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Wurstfest Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet?
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 smoked sausage from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wurstfest Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet?
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 Wurstfest Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet 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 Wurstfest Sausage & Sauerkraut Skillet?
German one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
