Sliced kielbasa and juicy pineapple are glazed in a flavorful mix of brown sugar and pineapple juice to create this Easy Pineapple Kielbasa. With just 5 simple ingredients,it's one super quick, super easy, and super delicious family-friendly weeknight meal.
I generally don't like warm pineapple. But when it comes to the deliciousness of easy Pineapple Kielbasa, I definitely make an exception.
Why is Pineapple Kielbasa worthy of a warm pineapple exception with me, you ask? Because in it, warm pineapple chunks, tender kielbasa slices, and pineapple brown sugar glaze come together to create one dinner dish that's just packed with fabulous flavor.
With just 5 simple ingredients,Pineapple Kielbasa's one super quick, super easy, and super delicious family-friendly weeknight meal.
But easy Pineapple Kielbasa's not just flavorful and easy, it's pretty quick too! -- Which makes it a great meal choice for those busy weeknights.
With super simple prep steps, Pineapple Kielbasa is on the table in about 35 minutes from start-to-finish. And I've got to say, for a good chunk of those 35 minutes, the dish is just minding its own business simmering away on the stove top.
As an added bonus? It only takes 5 ingredients (plus a little salt and pepper) to whip up a pan. So with Pineapple Kielbasa, you're looking at easy, quick, flavorful, and just 5 ingredients. -- I don't know about you, but in my book that makes it a perfect weeknight go-to meal.
What's to Love About This Recipe?
- Flavorful- With its warm pineapple chunks, tender kielbasa slices, and pineapple and brown sugar-based glaze, Pineapple Kielbasa is packed with fabulous flavor.
- Quick & easy- This ones not just easy, it's quick too! With super simple prep steps, Pineapple Kielbasa is on the table in about 35 minutes from start-to-finish. And for a good chunk of those minutes, the dish is just simmering away on its own on the stove top.
- Just 5 ingredients- It doesn't take a ton of ingredients to whip up this deliciousness. Just 5 simple ingredients combine to create this flavorful dish.
- Weeknight-friendly- Its ease of prep and short time to table makes Pineapple Kielbasa a perfect quick and easy weeknight go-to meal.
Pineapple Kielbasa Ingredients:
It takes just 5 ingredients plus a little salt and pepper to make Easy Pineapple Kielbasa. To whip up a pan, you'll need:
- Kielbasa (or smoked sausage) - The star of the show. We use Hillshire Farm Turkey Kielbasa or Turkey Smoked Sausage, however beef kielbasa/smoked sausage and other brands work great, as well.
- Pineapple chunks & juice - Canned pineapple chunks bring the pineapple element to the dish, beautifully and flavorfully complementing the kielbasa.And the juice from the canned pineappleserves as the base of the kielbasa's sweet, syrupy pineapple glaze.
- Butter - A touch of unsalted butter both greases the pan and brings a bit of richness to the dish.
- Light brown sugar -Brown sugar combines with the pineapple juice to form the dish's deliciously sweet glaze.
- Corn starch -The thickening agent that thickens the glaze as it simmers. Corn starch can generally be found in the baking aisle of the grocery store.
- Salt & pepper -Seasoned to taste, a small pinch of salt and pepper enhances the flavor of the finished dish.
How to Make Pineapple Kielbasa:
Easy Pineapple Kielbasa has the word "easy" in its title for a reason. -- Because it truly is incredibly easy to make.
Start by slicing the kielbasa into rounds. I like to slice the kielbasa at a little bit of an angle to give just a little bit of "visual interest." But straight-up rounds work just fine, as well.
Melt a little butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and saute it until the kielbasa's heated through and lightly browned on both sides.
Then add canned pineapple chunks, some brown sugar, and a little bit of pineapple juice reserved from the pineapple. Give this a stir together in the pan to combine the ingredients, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
While the kielbasa-pineapple mixture simmers, whisk together a bit of corn starch and pineapple juice. -- This will create a nice pineapple sauce to glaze the cooked kielbasa.
Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet and cook until the pineapple sauce is thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Then you're good to go with enjoying the deliciousness!
As an optional garnish, sprinkle some sliced green onions on top for a bit of color to finish the dish. Serve the Pineapple Kielbasa spooned over cooked white or brown rice for a flavorful, quick, easy, and weeknight-friendly family meal.
Recipe FAQs:
- What type of kielbasa works best to make Pineapple Kielbasa?- We use Hillshire Farm Turkey Kielbasa or Turkey Smoked Sausage, however beef kielbasa/smoked sausage and other brands work great, as well. Use your favorite.
- Is there something I can substitute for corn starch to make the Pineapple Kielbasa glaze?- Corn starch is a quick and easy thickener to use, resulting in a smooth nicely-textured pineapple glaze for the kielbasa. But yes, there are other ingredients that can be used in its place. Flour is a good substitute for corn starch, but since it does not have quite as much thickening "power," use double the amount. -- Due to flour's color and having to use more of it, note that the pineapple glaze will be more opaque and tinted in color than it is when made with corn starch. Arrowroot and potato starch are both equal substitutes, meaning use the same amount as you would of corn starch. Tapioca starch can also work, using double the amount.
- Can I use crushed pineapple instead of pineapple chunks to make Pineapple Kielbasa? - Yes, you can use crushed pineapple instead of pineapple chunks to make easy Pineapple Kielbasa, if you'd like. -- Though bear in mind, the texture of the dish will be completely different. Drain the crushed pineapple, reserving the juice, and proceed with the recipe in the same manner you would with chunk pineapple.
Check out these other super easy, super tasty dinner recipes:
- Cola Kielbasa
- Skillet Shrimp Fried Rice
- Easy Supreme French Bread Pizza
- Lazy Lasagna (with frozen ravioli)
- Ground Beef Burrito Bowl Skillet
- Easy Cheeseburger Sliders
- 4-Ingredient Easy Goulash
- More main dish recipes
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pineapple kielbasa, kielbasa with pineapple, easy kielbasa with pineapple, easy dinner recipes
Main Dish
American
Yield: 4 servings
Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground
How to Make Easy Pineapple Kielbasahttps://youtu.be/AlMbhBkcGn4Demonstration of how to make Easy Pineapple Kielbasa
Easy Pineapple Kielbasa
Sliced kielbasa and juicy pineapple are glazed in a flavorful mix of brown sugar and pineapple juice to create this Easy Pineapple Kielbasa. With just 5 simple ingredients, it's one super quick, super easy, and super delicious family-friendly weeknight meal.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min
Ingredients
- 1 (13 oz.) package kielbasa or smoked sausage
- 1 T. unsalted butter
- 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks + its juice
- 1/4 c. light brown sugar
- 2 tsp. corn starch
- pinch of salt & pepper
Instructions
- Drain pineapple chunks, reserving the juice. Set aside.
- Slice kielbasa into rounds.
- Melt butter in a non-stick frying or saute pan over medium heat. Add sliced kielbasa and saute until heated through and lightly browned.
- Add pineapple, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice; stir in pan to combine.
- Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes.
- Whisk together corn starch and 1/3 cup of reserved pineapple juice. Add to skillet and cook until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
- We use Hillshire Farm Turkey Kielbasa or Turkey Smoked Sausage, however beef kielbasa/smoked sausage and other brands work great, as well.
- As an optional garnish, sprinkle sliced green onions on top after the pineapple kielbasa has finished cooking.
- Serve over a bed of cooked white or brown rice.
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