Slow Cooker Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa is an appetizer made with bite-sized rounds of kielbasa topped with a sauce made from apricot preserves, chili sauce, and bourbon. I am going to serve these as one of my New Year’s Eve appetizers, for sure! Check out my Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs for another easy, yet flavorful appetizer to share.
Slow Cooker Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
If you are looking for an easy, and I mean REALLY easy appetizer or a crockpot Christmas side dish, this is the recipe you need! The hardest part of the recipe is cutting the kielbasa into rounds (which takes you just a couple of minutes, if that). Then, everything is added to the bowl of your slow cooker or crockpot. Set the slow cooker on low and forget about it for about 3 hours, or until warm. That’s it!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Kielbasa: Kielbasa, sometimes referred to as ring sausage, is a flavorful, lightly smoked sausage that is pre-cooked. This recipe would also work using Andouille sausage, Mexican Chorizo, or other sausages as substitutes. Turkey-smoked sausage would be another option if you are looking for a somewhat healthier alternative.
Preserves: Look for apricot preserves to use in the sauce. Preserves are a little thicker than jams and usually made with whole fruits. However, you could also use apricot jam in this recipe.
Chili Sauce: Chili sauce is similar to ketchup and is used as both a condiment, sauce, and spread. However, it does have a little kick to it, giving it a little more spice when compared to ketchup. I do have a sweet chili sauce, but I don’t recommend that in this unless you like a sweet final product.
Bourbon: Adding bourbon to the sauce lessens the sweetness of the sauce that you get from the apricot preserves. Alternative options would be brandy or rum if you don’t have bourbon on hand. Or, you could leave out the alcohol entirely, but it will change the flavor of the kielbasa bites, resulting in a sweeter bite.
Can I Make these in the Oven?
Sure! If you are using your slow cooker for something else like Grape Jelly Smokies, these are easy to warm up in the oven. First, mix together all the ingredients in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then, bake for 25-30 minutes at 400°F, or until warmed through.
Stovetop Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
Another option when making these bourbon-glazed kielbasa bites is to warm them over the stovetop. To do this, mix all of the ingredients in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, or until warm.
How to Store Slow Cooker Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
After the Slow Cooker Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa has been warmed and served, you can save any leftovers you may have. Store the bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last 2-3 days.
Slow Cooker Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 2 rings (14 ounces each) kielbasa, or smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 ¼ cups (400 g) apricot preserves
- 1 jar (12 ounces) chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
Instructions
- To the bowl of a slow cooker, add the sliced kielbasa.
- Pour the apricot preserves, chili sauce, and bourbon over the kielbasa slices. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until heated through.
- Serve warm.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
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Hi Amanda and anyone else wanting to reply!
If you were going to serve this as part of a meal, what sides would be best? Mashed potatoes? Rice? Something else? Thank you!
This recipe has become a standard for me. I use the Rosol’s Easter Kielbasa and the spices in it work very well. I actually feel a little guilty as it’s almost too easy to get together … but the benefactors never mind 😄
I wonder how this would turn out if you did a mix of meatballs and kielbasa? Imma have to try it 😁
I made this but halved the recipe as it’s just me. I didn’t measure anything. I’m not sure if the “glaze” is supposed to be as runny as it is/seems. It tastes okay but I doubt I’ll make it again. I like the grape jelly one better with the little sausage links or meatballs.
Would something like soy or balsamic be a good non-alcoholic sub for the burbon?
Yes!
Sounds delish and will make for my next potluck..
Love your recipes Amanda!!!!!
Do you have to use the bourbon? Will it change the taste?
You do not. Yes, the bites are just sweet, without a lot of depth. You can try a teaspoon on vinegar instead of bourbon.
I love this, I actually used Calvados because that’s what I had & was really surprised. I knew I would find a use for that apple brandy! Q. Why would you think that you could only keep these leftover in the fridge for a couple of days?