With just 4 simple ingredients this amazing appetizer recipe for Crock-Pot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa is to die for! Salty kielbasa sausage is paired with sweet apricot preserves and maple syrup and then bourbon whiskey adds just the right kick. You can use apple juice if your going non-alcoholic though!
Slow Cooker Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
Kielbasa is what my kids like to refer to as “mommy hot dogs”. They started this when they were little and I was trying to get them to eat something besides hot dogs. When they ate them, they described them as “hot dogs but not really” and “mommy’s favorite”.
Since then, I try and find different ways to make kielbasa for my kids. They are a fan of “those little hot dogs in sauce in the crock-pot” as my oldest likes to say.
The original recipe I have calls for bourbon. And while there is a small amount in this recipe, and really the liquor will cook off, I chose to use the apple juice just because my kids would be trying them out.
This is such a quick and easy appetizer recipe. You can serve it at your next party or get-together of course or just make it up as a snack! The cooking steps are so darn easy…just mix the liquid ingredients together and pour them on top of the sliced kielbasa. The maple syrup added a nice flavor mixed with the apricot preserves. My kids said this was a hit but they still liked the little hot dogs (little smokies) better!!
Products Needed:
- 3 Quart Slow Cooker, 3.5 Quart Slow Cooker or 4 Quart Slow Cooker
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Special Diets
Crock-Pot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Apricot Preserves
- ½ Cup Maple Syrup
- 2 Tablespoons Bourbon (Or Apple Juice)
- 1 Pound Kielbasa Sausage (Sliced (for gluten-free we recommend Hillshire Farms or Johnsonville brands))
Instructions
- Mix maple syrup, apricot preserves and bourbon (or apple juice) in a bowl.
- Add the sliced kielbasa to a 3 to 4 quart slow cooker.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the kielbasa.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
Nutrition
I love kielbasa! I’ve never tried it in a slow cooker like this before. Looks tasty. Almost reminds me of party wieners haha. Never would have guessed by the name that you used apricot preserves (one of my favorite types!)
They are very reminiscent of party wieners! And yes the apricot preserves make them delicious!
It was a huge hit! I had apricot preserves and everyone liked it. I should have doubled the recipe!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Sarah!
Is it super sweet with the maple syrup? Wonder if any replacement suggestions or if I could leave out?
It is not super sweet but just sweet enough Tiffany. If you omit the maple syrup an try the recipe let us know how it comes out for you.
Do you think you could substitute chicken sausage for the kielbasa?
I think Chicken Sausage would be great. I don’t see why that would not work Joan.
Would this also be good with meatballs? My kiddos don’t eat Kielbasa.
While we have not tried this particular recipe using meatballs I don’t see why it wouldn’t work out. Fully cooked meatballs (frozen or homemade) work much the same way as kielbasa sausage and the cooking time would be similar.
I want to make this for a large church lunch to top rice and wonder if I could stretch with the addition of beans. if so, what kind of beans would you suggest?
Maybe something like Navy Beans or Pinto Beans would work?
Thanks, that’s what I was considering.
I would use red beans. I make red beans, rice and sausage often and it’s a hit. Should work for this also.
I would like to have enough for more than eight people. So if I would double the recipe would everything be actually be doubled or should I use more or less of any ingredient.
Hi Sandra, you can just double the recipe with double the ingredients.
Same amount of time, if doubled or tripled the recieple
Super huge hit. I make these every time we have a get together with our friends. Sometimes I use little smokies instead of kielbasa. Either way it’s fantastic. Also sometimes I put in pineapple. Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome Amber. We are glad you enjoyed the recipe! Adding pineapple sounds amazing!