What To Serve With Kielbasa (With Video Recipes)
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When it is about hosting a dinner, Kielbasa is one of the highly preferable dishes anyone can go with. I know how hard it is to plan a menu and decide on the side dishes. Kielbasa is a traditional dish, so you might often get confused about what to serve with Kielbasa, traditional side dishes, or regular side dishes?
Since Kielbasa is a traditional dish, when served, it is generally accompanied by sauerkraut or Zurek and can be thoroughly cooked or smoked. However, it can be served with simple side dishes as well. Cooked rice, mashed potatoes, hash-browns, and green casseroles are some of the things you can pair with Kielbasa.
You can consider planning the side dishes according to the type of occasion you are celebrating. If you are throwing dinner on a traditional day, you can go with all conventional ideas. But if you want to keep it a little simple, then add regular side dishes. This article will give you some great ideas for what to serve with Kielbasa.
Traditional Side Dishes Of Kielbasa
Basically, the traditional Kielbasa is a large sausage made mostly of beef and pork, with several variants depending on the location where it is prepared. Kielbasa originally came from central Europe. It is famous for being served with sauerkraut. Zurek is another traditional and popular side dish served with Kielbasa.
Sauerkraut
If you are planning to organize a traditional dinner party, then sauerkraut is the best side dish to pick. Sauerkraut is fresh cabbage that has been finely chopped and fermented by lactic acid bacteria. The lactic acid generated when bacteria digest the carbohydrates in the cabbage leaves gives it an extended shelf life and a unique sour flavor.
To make Sauerkraut, put the chopped cabbage in a large mixing container. Secondly, cover it with boiling water and leave it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse the cabbage, place it in a container or other air-tight jar, and bring it to a simmer with salt. Finally, carefully seal the jar and set it aside to ferment for a few days before serving.
Zurek
If you want to keep things traditional, you can offer Zurek as a side dish with your Kielbasa as well. It is comparatively easy to make. Zurek is a soured grain broth or soup-like dish that is extremely sour.
Adding meals like Zurek with Kielbasa, which have a unique flavor from the fermented rye and cornflour, is pretty famous and makes the meal memorable.
Simple Side Dish Ideas To Serve With Kielbasa
There are simple dishes as well that you can offer with Kielbasa. It will transfer your dinner program into a fest and will make it more enjoyable. Putting the right side dish alongside your main dish not only makes a good impression on your cooking sense but also makes you a fine host.
To help you out, here I have mentioned some of the best side dishes that simply make the meal more enjoyable alongside Kielbasa. Let’s have a look at them:
Rice
Whenever I think of making a side dish with Kielbasa, my first choice is rice. Rice is something that goes with everything. It is easy to make, and there are so many varieties of rice dishes. You can make boiled rice, fried rice, Mexican rice, biryani rice, or simply plain rice as a side dish with Kielbasa.
I prefer serving boiled cooked rice with Kielbasa more. Since it’s a rich dish itself, serving something light might be better with it. Also, boiled rice takes the least time to prepare. You just have to set the cooker, add some water to it, and wait for some time. It is the easiest and quickest side dish which you can prepare anytime.
Green Bean Casserole

Green beans casserole is another common side dish that can go with Kielbasa. Green bean casserole is a delicious meal that has been enjoyed for years. In addition, it is a simple dish to prepare in the shortest possible time.
To make green bean casserole, prepare veggies in simmering water or hot steam. Put these inside a casserole bowl with the remaining ingredients after they’re cooked. Cream of mushroom soup, sliced onions, salt, pepper, and ketchup are some of the ingredients that go into a casserole dish.
Salad
Kielbasa is a rich dish. So I suggest combining it with something healthy if possible. Green salad is a healthy side dish to complement it. Fresh leafy greens like spinach, romaine lettuce, or arugula are commonly used in green salads. They can also be prepared with mixed greens, which include carrots and broccoli, among other veggies.
Top it with breadcrumbs, grape tomatoes, and shredded cucumbers and onions to add texture and taste. Rinse the veggies before putting them in a dish to make this sort of green salad. Once it’s ready, combine them with Kielbasa to make a delectable dinner that is fat-free and low in calories.
Mashed Potato
Many people consider mashed potatoes to be an alternative to rice dishes. It is also a great classic side dish that can complement Kielbasa. It is very easy to make and you won’t have to put any extra effort into making this side dish.
To make mashed potatoes, first, peel them and cut larger ones into small pieces to make them all the same size. Then, boil them for 20 minutes in a large saucepan of water over moderate heat. And lastly, rinse them and then mash well. You can add some spices and milk cream as well to make them taste better.
Onion Rings
If you want to keep it really simple, I would suggest making some onion rings. To make this meal, slice the onions thinly and soak them in batter before frying them in oil over medium heat. It is a fantastic side dish with kielbasa. Optionally, you can cook pre-made onion rings in the oven as well and serve with kielbasa.
Various condiments, such as barbecue sauce or ranch dressing, go nicely with these rings. Serve the onion rings beside the kielbasa after seasoning them with salt and pepper to taste.
Hash Brown
Another side dish I think makes a great pair with Kielbasa is Hash Brown. It makes a delicious meal alongside Kielbasa. First, soften the potatoes by soaking them in boiling water for about 5 minutes to make hash browns. Before shredding or processing the potatoes, remove their skins.
Other ingredients, like onions and spices, can be added to the sliced potatoes. The potatoes should then be placed in a big frying pan and heated over medium heat. Cook both sides of the dish properly. When the hash browns are done, move them to a bowl, sprinkle with grated cheese, and serve with Kielbasa.
Crunchy Rolls
You can serve the Kielbasa with some crusty bread or rolls as well. To take the flavor to the next level, toss in some fried onions, brown mustard, and sauerkraut. Then serve it with some crispy fries and a bottle of whiskey, just like many Europeans enjoy.
If you are preparing your side dishes at the last moment, you can buy ready-made rolls. There are vegetable and chicken rolls available in the market. You just need to fry them before serving them.
Things You Should Keep In Mind While Serving
Last but not least, there are some vital things worth keeping in mind while serving Kielbasa. If you are serving ready-made foods or frozen foods as your side dishes, make sure they are still fresh and not expired. Also, always try to use green and fresh veggies in the side dishes. It can make your meal more flavorful and yummy.
When these simple dishes come together with Kielbasa, it changes the whole taste of the main dish and complements it in the best possible way. Over and above, whatever food you serve alongside Kielbasa, it will undoubtedly be a delightful dinner.