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Cream, sausage, butter, and German dumplings make this a luxurious, indulgent meal. The smoky smells of sizzling sausage filling your kitchen, combined with the creamy comfort of dumplings, will make it a hit in your home. Stovetop Sauerkraut and Sausage with German dumplings is serious comfort food, and a great skillet dish, perfect for a cozy weeknight or when you’re craving something a little special.

Knöpfle dumplings, sauerkraut and sausage in a bowl.
A great sauerkraut dish that is perfect for a quick, filling German dinner.

🥟 What makes this recipe special?

The truth is that sausage and sauerkraut recipes are a dime a dozen. This one, however, is a special German recipe that deserves your attention. The combination of cream, sauerkraut, sausage, and dumplings is really special.

The knoephla dumplings are easy to make and fry up really easy. They go so well with the sauerkraut and German sausage. Add in a bit of cream, butter, and enjoy this wonderful comfort dish. 

If German food is on your mind, check out this Traditional Spaetzle recipe, these classic German potato pancakes, this meaty Rouladen recipe, or, of course, this easy schnitzel recipe. One of my favorite soups in the whole world uses the same dumpling, Knoephla soup. Whatever you make for dinner tonight, make sure to treat yourself.

Table of Contents

🍖 Ingredients

Because we make homemade dumplings, there are a few more ingredients than many sausage and sauerkraut recipes. Here is our ingredients list. 

  • eggs
  • Whole milk
  • salt
  • all-purpose flour
  • Butter
  • German smoked sausage
  • Sauerkraut

For the Smoked Sausage, try to find any German type, but kielbasa is a perfectly fine kind to use for this dish.

See the recipe card for quantities.

🍲 Instructions

This recipe is divided into two main processes. First, make the dumplings. This is as simple as combining the ingredients, rolling out the dough, and then cutting the roll into small pieces. 

From there, boil the dumplings, drain them, and set aside. Now comes the frying. In a skillet, fry the knoephla for a bit.

Add the sausage and fry a bit longer. Add the milk and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes and then add sauerkraut. Just a few more minutes and your German sauerkraut and sausage dish is ready to go. 

Raw dumplings with a light coating of flour.
Cut raw dumplings into ½ inch dumpling pieces and set aside.
Frying flour dumplings in skillet with butter after boiling.
After the knoephla dumplings are boiled, fry them in a skillet with butter.
A skillet of sausage knoephla mix being brought to a simmer.
After frying dumplings, add sausage and fry for five minutes. Then add milk and simmer for 15 minutes. Salt and pepper. Then, finally add the sauerkraut and heat.

🤷 Substitutions and variations

A few easy substitutions could be made to make this your own. 

  • Dumplings – instead of making your own dumplings, you can purchase frozen dumplings and use them. You may still have to thaw these out. 
  • Sausage – I call for smoked German sausage, but really any smoked or cooked ring sausage would work. Heck, cooked ground sausage would work! 
  • Kraut – If you like more kraut, use it. I drain my sauerkraut, but you don’t have to if you want a bit more flavor. 

We are just cooking dinner. Change it up to make the recipe your own. 

📦 Storage

To store any leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also freeze this dish for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

🎓 History tidbit

We use traditiona Knöpfle dumplings in this recipe. Where I live, it is generally used in soup, but frying is also fairly common. Here is an entire article about the history of this knoephla soup.

Sauerkraut has been a staple in the German diet since the 1600s! Make sure to check out that link for more Sauerkraut history.

❓ FAQ

Do you rinse sauerkraut?

This is up to you and your personal preference. Rinsing the sauerkraut will moderate the intense flavor, but it is safe to eat the juice. 

What kind of sausage goes well with sauerkraut?

Any smoked German sausage goes well with sauerkraut. Kielbasa is a Polish sausage that also works well.  

What goes well with sausage and sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut and sausage pair beautifully with a variety of sides. For a traditional touch, serve them with hearty German staples like mashed potatoes, rye bread, or pretzels. A crisp green salad or roasted vegetables adds a fresh balance to the rich flavors. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, try it with mustard, pickles, or a tangy potato salad. To wash it all down, a good German beer or even a refreshing cider complements this dish perfectly!

Sauerkraut and sausage in a white bowl.
So creamy, dreamy, and full of flavor. Give this Sauerkraut and German dumpling dish a try.

📝 Tips and tricks

  • You can really use any cured sausage in this dish.
  • I use a cast iron skillet, but any sizable pan should work for this German sauerkraut and sausage dish.

🛠 Products used in this recipe

😋 Did you make this German Sauerkraut and Sausage recipe?

That is awesome, and thank you so much for trying this recipe. If you could leave a rating in the comment area below, it would be greatly appreciated. This lets me know how I am doing and also helps others decide if they want to make this recipe. Most of all, thanks for visiting Ramshackle Pantry.

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Knöpfle dumplings, sauerkraut and sausage in a bowl.

Sauerkraut and Sausage Knoephla Skillet Dish

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Ben Myhre
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 Minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Dumplings
  • Method: Fry
  • Cuisine: German
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Description

This German sauerkraut and sausage are all that we really need to say, but then add in knoephla dumplings, cream, and butter to create heaven in a skillet. So much flavor going on in this dish.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For Dumplings:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all purpose flour

For Skillet:

  • 4 Tablespoons Butter
  • All of the Dumplings
  • 8 ounces German smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2 sections or chopped
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups sauerkraut, drained

Instructions

For Dumplings:

  1. Mix all dumpling ingredients in a bowl and combine well
  2. Divide into two pieces just to make easier to work with
  3. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece out with your hand so it is approximately ½ inch in diameter and like a rope
  4. If needed sprinkle with flour to make easier to work with
  5. Cut into ½ inch dumpling pieces and set aside.
  6. Add water to a large pot, salt, and heat to high
  7. Allow to boil 3-5 minutes or until all dumplings are floating at top
  8. Strain and set aside

For Skillet:

  1. Add butter to large frying pan and turn to medium high
  2. Once butter is melted, add dumplings and fry for about five minutes or until a golden brown crust starts to develop on dumplings. Make sure to mix with a spatula regularly.
  3. Add sausage and cook for another 5 minutes or until sausage is warmed
  4. Add milk and allow to simmer for 15 minutes
  5. add salt and pepper to taste
  6. Add sauerkraut and cook until warmed.
  7. Serve

Notes

  • You can really use any cured sausage in this dish.
  • I use a cast iron skillet, but any sizable pan should work.

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13 Comments

  3. I keep coming back to this recipe. I was introduced to this by a good friend. They didn’t give me measurements just a list of what goes into it. We are making it again tonight for dinner and all the kids are excited. Even to the point that they all want to help make it. Thank you for posting this recipe.

    Reply

    1. It always makes me SO happy when I get comments like this and I am glad to play a tiny part in helping you all do family stuff together around food.

  4. Thanks for sharing this. My grandma used to make this as a treat for me. Only thing I added were some homemade breadcrumbs to the mix, as that is what my grandma did. Tastes like love.

    Reply

  5. I actually grew up with this dish! It’s definitely a family favorite!
    Not that I want to make this dish heavier in calories than it already is.. you should try frying up some breadcrumbs (the crust from some basic bread works best) in a bit of butter and then adding in the knoephla! It adds a crouton like texture to the mix. Everyone in my family would fight over those little gems haha!

    Reply

    1. What a cool tip and memory. When it comes to a comfort dish like this, I think it is ok to ignore calories. At least for me.

  8. Boy, does this sound good. It kind of reminds me of pierogi in the sense that it has fried dough and sauerkraut – two things that I love. And bring on the sausage!

    Reply