Easy Kielbasa Appetizer Recipe (Only 3 Ingredients!)

This kielbasa recipe is my favorite appetizer of all time. I mean, I also love making guava bbq wings but that’s neither here nor there. I just love game day eats!

I’ve been making these kielbasa bites for years! What started as a little experiment has now turned into a delicious recipe… er obsession. This kielbasa appetizer is seriously addicting and SUPER easy to make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Intense salty-sweet flavor! The cola and brown sugar mixed with the salty, smoky kielbasa sausage is the best combination of flavors!

• Quick and easy appetizer recipe. Just 3 ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store. You can serve it for dinner or as a snack.

• Perfect for crowds. If you’re looking for a quick appetizer recipe for a potluck or a delicious snack for a large gathering, this will become your go-to recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Only 3 ingredients!

• Kielbasa. I use the Hillshire Farm® Beef Polska Kielbasa since it’s easy to find at any grocery store. Use whichever one you’d like! Most packaged kielbasa comes fully cooked/smoked.

• Regular coca-cola. You can also use root beer or diet coke if that’s what you have on hand.

• Brown sugar has molasses which is great for flavor and the caramelization of the kielbasa. YUM!

Cooking Instructions

On The Stove (Recommended)

• Brown the sausage. All packaged kielbasa comes fully cooked so all you can do is slice it and add them to a pan to brown. Make sure to slice them the same size, about 1/4-inch thick each, so they can cook evenly.

• Add the cola and brown sugar. Once you have browned the sliced sausage, add the coke and brown sugar and bring to a boil.

• Simmer. Once it starts boiling, immediately turn the heat down and simmer until caramelized.

In A Slow Cooker / Crockpot

• Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to combine and cook on HIGH for 3 hours, or LOW for 5-6 hours.

Recipe Tips & Variations

• Caramelization will take time. Since not all stoves are created equal, this recipe may take 10 minutes or 35 minutes. You need to eyeball the glaze to see when the brown sugar and coke mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. You know your stove better than I do so use your best judgment here. The caramelization waiting time is really the hardest part of this recipe!

• WARNING: Sugar gets hot! Be careful not to eat them too soon after you transfer them to a plate. They are definitely hard to resist but you don’t want to burn your mouth (speaking from experience here).

• Switch things up! Don’t have (or want to use) brown sugar + coca-cola? Use this variation instead and it’ll be just as delicious!
  • 1.5 cups bbq sauce + 1/3 cup dijon mustard
  • 1.5 cups bbq sauce + 1 cup mango jam

• Want it spicy? Add 1/4 teaspoon (or more!) of chili powder or cayenne for some heat.

• Add pineapple. Thread these glazed kielbasa bites with small pineapple chunks on toothpicks or cocktail forks, and watch them disappear right before your eyes.

• Make them for dinner. These brown sugar glazed kielbasa bites are a great appetizer idea however you can definitely serve them with white rice or yellow rice. Kielbasa and rice have never tasted so good!