How to cook kiełbasa? Tips and Techniques for Mouthwatering Results
First things first – we need to figure out what kind of kiełbasa you have purchased. This will determine our next move in the kitchen.
In North America and parts of Europe, when we talk about ‘Polish kiełbasa,’ we’re usually referring to a particular style of lightly smoked, mildly spiced pork sausage.
However, here in Poland, this term is used for a whole variety of sausages that are quite different from the ones you’re used to.
With thousands of options available, they range from raw to precooked and even dry-aged.
Kiełbasa can be crafted from pork, poultry (such as chicken or turkey), beef, lamb, veal, game, and sometimes even a blend of different meats. Each region takes great pride in their own speciality.
Now, if you’ve bought that prepackaged, mass-market kiełbasa in the supermarket – the one that comes all sealed up and ready to go – you can skip right ahead to the ‘Precooked kiełbasa’ section.
But if you’re not sure about the type you have, no worries! Just start with the steps below, and we’ll sort it out together.
Precooked, Fresh or Dried? Identifying Kiełbasa Types for Best Results
For the purpose of this guide, let’s break down kiełbasa into three categories:
First up, we’ve got the precooked kiełbasa. This is the most common type you’ll come across. Just look for the word ‘parzona‘ (pron.: pash-onah) on the packaging, which means it has already been heat-treated.
Now, even though you can technically eat it straight out of the package, hardly anyone does that.
There are a number of delicious cooking methods for you to choose from, and we’ll outline them all below – just pick one and you’re ready to cook up a storm.
Next on the list is fresh (raw) kiełbasa. Yep, you guessed it — it’s completely raw and shouldn’t be eaten without cooking it first. One of the most popular raw kiełbasa varieties is Biała (pron.: bia-wah), which you’ve probably tasted in the famous Żurek soup. You can boil it, fry it, or bake it as a whole. We’ve got more details on that right here in our guide.
Last but not least, we’ve got dry-cured/dry-aged kiełbasa, like the mighty Myśliwska or the classic Krakowska.
They are enjoyed as appetisers, snacks, or as a tasty topping for kanapki (that’s Polish for our sandwiches), and are not meant to be cooked in any way.
Cracking the Debate: Should You Score Kiełbasa Before Cooking?
Most Polish chefs and kiełbasa-connoisseurs will tell you to keep that sausage whole and avoid any scoring.
Why, you ask? Well, it’s all about the casing – it’s holding in all the juicy goodness, fats, and flavour-packed stuff you just want to keep in there.
In general, I totally agree with this advice, especially when you’re dealing with a high-quality artisan kiełbasa. But let’s be real here. Sometimes, we’re on a budget, or perhaps we’re living abroad without easy access to the “real deal.” In those situations, we may have to settle for a lesser product.
And guess what? When it comes to those vacuum-packed, mass-produced kiełbasa, I say: do whatever floats your boat. If you’re into scoring, go ahead and cut as many slits in that sausage as you wish.
Personally, I tend to go wild with the knife, hoping to melt away that excess fat or any sketchy additives that might lurk inside.
Not only does scoring help with fat reduction, but it also amps up the browning game. And you know what that means? It triggers the mighty Maillard reaction — the secret behind those beautiful browned bits and the complex flavours we all go crazy for. Sounds like a win-win to me.
Summing up my sausage-scoring philosophy —
High-quality kiełbasa: please be gentle, keep the casing intact.
Mass-produced kiełbasa: score/prick/slice to your heart’s content.
How to Cook (Precooked) Kiełbasa? Essential Steps and Proven Methods.
In this scenario, there’s no need to stress about whether your kiełbasa is cooked through or not.
You see, it’s already precooked from the start, so our mission is just to heat it up and give it that irresistible crispy outer layer. Let’s dive right into the most popular methods of cooking:
Boiling: Just don’t
About this method: Just don’t do it. If you boil precooked kiełbasa, you’re going to leave all the flavour behind in the water, and you’ll be left with a sad, tasteless sausage.
Sautéing: How to cook kiełbasa on the stove (frying pan/Skillet)
About this method: When it comes to cooking kiełbasa, sautéing on the stove is a quick option that brings out some nice browning. You have two ways to go about it: frying it whole or slicing it into rounds or cubes.
Sauteing kiełbasa whole
For sautéing kiełbasa whole, start by preheating a tablespoon of neutral cooking oil in a skillet or frying pan. Fry the sausages over low-to-medium heat, making sure to brown them on all sides.
If you’re dealing with a thicker link of kiełbasa, use lower heat and/or partially cover the pan with a lid. Once they’re beautifully browned, serve them up immediately with your favourite condiment.
Sautéing in rounds
Slice the kiełbasa into rounds. Heat up a tablespoon of neutral cooking oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Fry the slices until they’re browned on both sides. Serve them hot and fresh with the condiment of your choice.
Roasting: How to Cook Kiełbasa In The Oven
Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C). Lightly grease a baking tray or line it with parchment paper or aluminium foil for easy cleanup.
Place the sausages on the tray in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
Roast them for approximately 20 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are nicely browned to your liking. Serve immediately alongside your chosen condiment.
Grilling: How to Grill Kiełbasa
About this method: Grilled kiełbasa is an absolute must-have for a summer cookout. The best part? No need to worry about under-cooking because it’s already pre-cooked.
In addition, kiełbasa doesn’t spoil quickly without refrigeration, so it can hang out for a while without any food-safety worries.
Place the kiełbasa directly on the heat of the grill. Let it grill for about 2-3 minutes per side until you achieve your desired level of charring.
Once it’s done, transfer it to a plate, give it a moment to rest and cool slightly, and then it’s time to serve. Add a few spoonfuls of potato salad, a dollop of mustard or ketchup.
Air frying: How to Cook Kiełbasa in Air Fryer
About this method: With the air fryer, you get similar results to sautéing on the stove – but without the messy grease splatters all over the place.
To get started, preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, then pop it back into the air fryer. Let them cook for about 10 minutes until they’re beautifully browned.
Remember to flip the sausages once midway through the cooking process, using some trusty tongs. And that’s it, you’re done – enjoy.
Using kiełbasa in a dish: recipe suggestions
Kiełbasa is a versatile ingredient that adds deliciousness to a wide range of dishes, from basic fried sausages with onions, to more elaborate culinary creations.
Let me share a few suggestions to get you started:
- One-pot Kiełbasa with Pasta
- Kiełbasa and Sauerkraut
- Kiełbasa and Cabbage
- Leczo with Kiełbasa and Peppers
kiełbasa as a topping
Kiełbasa can be easily turned into a crispy topping for pierogi, kluski, and other dishes.
Just slice it into rounds or small cubes, and fry them up in clarified butter. Once they turn golden, simply toss them on top of your food. It’s the perfect way to elevate your favourite dishes with meaty goodness.
How to Cook Fresh Kiełbasa? Easy and Flavorful Methods
Let’s explore the cooking methods for an entirely different type of kiełbasa: fresh (and therefore – raw).
Boiling: How to Boil Fresh Kiełbasa
About this method: Raw kiełbasa doesn’t require lengthy boiling; instead, it’s more of a blanching process.
To achieve the best results, bring the water to almost boiling point, add the sausages, and immediately reduce the heat to a minimum. Cook the sausage this way for around 20-25 minutes.
Another method is to bring the water with the kiełbasa to a boil, then turn off the heat as soon as the first air bubbles appear. Cover the pot with a lid and let it sit for approximately 20-30 minutes.
If you prefer to use a steamer pot, the sausage will require about 30 minutes of cooking time.
Sautéing: How to Cook Fresh Kiełbasa on the Stove
About this method: To ensure perfectly cooked kiełbasa when frying, start with a blanching process.
Here’s how: drop the sausages into boiling water, turn off the heat, cover with a lid, and leave for 10 minutes. This ensures they won’t remain raw inside after frying. Without blanching, frying alone would take longer and result in cracked, dry sausages with raw centres.
When it’s time to fry, keep the kiełbasa whole. Avoid slicing or scoring the sausage, as it can make it excessively dry.
Preheat neutral cooking oil in a skillet or frying pan until sizzling hot. Add the kiełbasa and let the outer part brown slightly. Then, reduce the heat and continue frying until you achieve your desired level of browning. Serve immediately with your favourite condiments.
Roasting: How to Cook Fresh Kiełbasa In The Oven
Grease an ovenproof dish with oil and place the sausages inside. Brush them with a little more oil and sprinkle with dried marjoram.
For added flavour, you can also add chopped garlic and onions as toppings. If desired, you can marinate the white sausage before baking, using ingredients like honey, horseradish, and/or mustard.
The baking time for white sausage in the oven varies depending on its thickness. A traditional white sausage typically bakes for 30 minutes at 350°F (180°C), while a thinner sausage (similar to frankfurters) bakes for 20 minutes.
Grilling: How to Cook Fresh Kiełbasa On the Grill
For perfectly cooked fresh kiełbasa on the grill, start by blanching it briefly. Drop the sausage in boiling water, cover, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, grill the kiełbasa, turning occasionally, just for long enough until all sides are nicely browned.
If starting with raw sausage (that is – without blanching), grill for at least 20-25 minutes to ensure it is fully cooked throughout.
