By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 30, 2025
I can’t wait to kick off football season with these Crockpot Kielbasa Sausage Bites! This appetizer is a true set it and forget it crockpot recipe that couldn’t be easier to make. I love that it’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and completely addictive.
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5-Star Review
“I LOVE football food that’s as simple as throwing it into a slow cooker!” -Justine
Easy Crockpot Kielbasa Recipe
I love how this sweet and spicy kielbasa appetizer hits all the right notes—it’s bold, tangy, and just the right amount of heat. When I first made it, I added both red pepper jelly and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for that perfect little kick. But don’t worry—it’s totally balanced by the brown sugar, honey, and BBQ sauce, so it’s more flavor-packed than fiery. And if you’re like me and enjoy tweaking things, feel free to dial the spice up or down to fit your taste.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 packages kielbasa approx 40 oz., cut into 1" cubes
- ▢ 2 cups BBQ sauce
- ▢ 1 jar red pepper jelly (10.5 oz.)
- ▢ 2 tbsp honey
- ▢ 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
- ▢ 1 tbsp red pepper flakes or more if you want it extra spicy
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir to combine. 3 packages kielbasa, 2 cups BBQ sauce, 1 jar red pepper jelly, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp dark brown sugar, 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- Cook on low 6 hours, increasing to high for the last 30 minutes of cooking (or on high 3.5 to 4 hours total).
- Stir every 30 minutes to make sure the bottom kielbasa isn’t burning.
- Enjoy!
Equipment
- Crockpot
Becky’s Tips
- To keep these kielbasa bites warm, leave the slow cooker on the “warm” setting.
- Most kielbasa sausages sold at the store are already cooked. This recipe heats them low and slow to really infuse them with the best flavor from the sauce ingredients. You do not need to cook the kielbasa before adding it to your slow cooker.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Kielbasa Sausage Step by Step
Combine all the ingredients : Combine 3 packages kielbasa, 2 cups BBQ sauce, 1 10.5 oz. jar red pepper jelly, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp dark brown sugar, and 1 tbsp red pepper flakes in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Cook: Cook on low 6 hours, increasing to high for the last 30 minutes of cooking (or on high 3.5 to 4 hours total)
Stir: Stir every 30 minutes to make sure the bottom kielbasa isn’t burning.
Serve : Serve and enjoy!
How to Store
Once cooled to room temperature, you can store leftover kielbasa sausage bites in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through.
You can freeze these kielbasa bites in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge before reheating. Don’t forget to date and label!
Serving Suggestions
For the ultimate game day spread, I like to pair these kielbasa bites with crispy potato skin bites and saucy ranch chicken wings . It’s a trio that always disappears fast!
more game day recipes
Homemade Baked Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Baked Chicken Wings
Pizza Sliders
Beer Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip
Sweet and Spicy Crock Pot Kielbasa Sausage Bites
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 3 packages kielbasa approx 40 oz., cut into 1" cubes
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1 jar red pepper jelly (10.5 oz.)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes or more if you want it extra spicy
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir to combine. 3 packages kielbasa, 2 cups BBQ sauce, 1 jar red pepper jelly, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp dark brown sugar, 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- Cook on low 6 hours, increasing to high for the last 30 minutes of cooking (or on high 3.5 to 4 hours total).
- Stir every 30 minutes to make sure the bottom kielbasa isn’t burning.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- To keep these kielbasa bites warm, leave the slow cooker on the “warm” setting.
- Most kielbasa sausages sold at the store are already cooked. This recipe heats them low and slow to really infuse them with the best flavor from the sauce ingredients. You do not need to cook the kielbasa before adding it to your slow cooker.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
