Easy Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut (New Year’s Day Tradition)

If you’re looking for a simple, comforting New Year’s Day meal, this sauerkraut and pork recipe is one I’ve made year after year.

It’s rooted in tradition, easy enough to pull together without stress, and happens to support gut health — which feels like the right way to start a new year.

Pork and sauerkraut is a classic New Year’s Day tradition in many Midwest families (mine included). The pork symbolizes progress and prosperity, while sauerkraut represents good luck and abundance.

In my family, kielbasa has always been the pork we use, and I make it in the crockpot for an easy, hands-off version that’s perfect for January 1.

I make this every year because it’s simple, cozy, and doesn’t require me to think too hard… exactly what I want on the first day of the year.

Why Pork and Sauerkraut Is a New Year’s Day Tradition

Traditionally, pork and sauerkraut is eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck. The idea is that pigs root forward (not backward), symbolizing progress, while sauerkraut — made from fermented cabbage — represents prosperity and abundance.

But there’s also a practical reason this meal has lasted so long:
it’s inexpensive, filling, and easy to make in large batches.

And now, we know a little more about fermented foods.

Sauerkraut contains natural probiotics and prebiotics that support gut health, digestion, and overall balance — something many of us appreciate after a season of rich food and celebrations.

If you want to read more about this tradition and why sauerkraut is not only a great meal to kickoff the first of the year, but also great for your health, check out: Why Sauerkraut on New Year’s Day Is More Than a Luck Tradition (and Why It’s Good for Your Gut) →

A Simple, No-Fuss New Year’s Day Meal

This isn’t a fancy recipe. It’s meant to be approachable and forgiving. I usually make it in the slow cooker and serve it with something equally simple like mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

This is comfort food — not something you need to overthink.

Ingredients

You only need a handful of basics:

• 2–3lbs kielbasa sausage, sliced into large chunks
• 24–32 oz sauerkraut (drained slightly, but not rinsed)
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1–2 apples, sliced (optional, but recommended)
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional seasonings: caraway seeds, garlic, bay leaf

Tip: If you’re focused on gut health, look for sauerkraut with minimal ingredients — just cabbage, salt, and water.

How to Make Crockpot Sauerkraut with Kielbasa 

This recipe works beautifully in a slow cooker:

1. Add sliced onions to the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Add sauerkraut, apples, sliced kielbasa.
3. Pour broth around the mixture.
4. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
5. Stir before serving.
   

What to Serve With Sauerkraut and Kielbasa

I keep sides simple:

• mashed or roasted potatoes
• crusty bread
• buttered egg noodles

You don’t need a lot — this meal is hearty on its own.

Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut for New Year’s Day

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A simple New Year’s Day classic made with kielbasa and sauerkraut. This easy, gut-friendly dish is rooted in good-luck tradition and comes together with minimal prep for a comforting, nourishing start to the year.

• Author: Stephanie Maupin
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2.5–3 hours
• Total Time: ~3 hours
• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Method: Crockpot

Ingredients

• 2–3 lbs kielbasa sausage, sliced into large chunks

• 24–32 oz sauerkraut (lightly drained, not rinsed)

• 1 medium onion, sliced

• 1–2 apples, diced

• 1 cup chicken broth or water

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Optional: ½ tsp caraway seeds, 1–2 cloves garlic, 1 bay leaf

Instructions

• Add sliced onions to the bottom of the crockpot.

• Add sauerkraut.

• Add sliced kielbasa.

• Add apples if using.

• Pour broth around the mixture.

• Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.

• Stir before serving.

Notes

• Kielbasa is traditionally pork-based and commonly used in pork and sauerkraut recipes.

Gut Health Notes (Without Overcomplicating It)

Sauerkraut is naturally fermented, meaning it contains beneficial bacteria that support digestion and gut health. While cooking does reduce some probiotics, fermented cabbage still provides prebiotic fiber that feeds healthy gut bacteria.

In other words: You don’t need to eat raw sauerkraut exclusively to benefit from it. This meal still supports digestion in a gentle, realistic way.

Why I Make This Every Year

I don’t believe January needs a dramatic reset or strict rules. For me, New Year’s Day is about nourishment, grounding, and starting the year feeling steady.

Pork and sauerkraut checks all those boxes:

• it’s comforting
• it’s meaningful
• it’s simple
• it doesn’t require willpower
• it supports digestion
• it feels like a fresh but gentle start

It’s the kind of tradition you can come back to year after year — no pressure, no perfection required.

If you’re curious about how I spend New Year’s Eve at home before this meal, you can read about my favorite New Year rituals here: My New Year’s Eve at Home – Rituals for a Peaceful, Grounded Start to the Year →

Here’s to a nourishing start to the year — and a little extra luck along the way.