Today, I am excited to share a fantastic CrockPot recipe–this CrockPot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa Recipe! HELLO YUM! The perfect easy-to-make CrockPot appetizer recipe that makes getting ready for an event so simple. With a couple of steps, four ingredients, and a few hours, you have an appetizer ready to go!
Crockpot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
This recipe is crazy easy to make, tastes fantastic, and goes over well at football parties, New Year's, and any party you are hosting or going to. Heck, what am I saying? It is perfect for any day of the year if you want a crazy easy, yummy recipe 🙂
If you love kielbasa, check out our Crock Pot Spicy BBQ Kielbasa with just the right kick of spice. They are excellent also! You could even set up two Crock Pots and have everyone taste-test both of them and decide which one they like the best.
We made an entire page of our Kielbasa Recipes to make it easier to find what you are looking for. From amazing appetizers recipes to entrees, there is a ton of great recipe options.
I first shared this recipe way back in November of 2013. Time has flown by, and they are still a favorite recipe.
These Crock Pot Bourbon Lit'l Smokies are another great Crock Pot Appetizer Recipes. We even made Bacon Bourbon Meatballs to add to our list of appetizers using bourbon in them. LOL
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Crock-Pot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa!
The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Polska Kielbasa (We used Hillshire Farms)
- Sweet Apricot Preserves
- Maple Syrup
- Bourbon Whiskey or Apple Juice
Equipment Needed
- CrockPot: I like Crockpots that have a digital timer and change to warm once the cooking time is up. They are great for pre-making appetizers for recipes.
- Kitchen Spoon/Stirring Utensil
- Toothpicks or small serving forks
How to Make CrockPot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
- Combine everything in the Crock Pot.
- Cover and cook
How easy are those directions? I love recipes that are so easy to make. This appetizer recipe is the perfect recipe for football parties or holiday events. You can toss everything in the CrockPot, which takes care of everything so you can relax and enjoy your event.
Preparation and Storage
Make Ahead: This slow cooker appetizer takes four hours to come together in your CrockPot, giving you time to work on other game day menu items or simply relax until it’s time to eat.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three days.
Freezing/How to Freeze: Freeze leftover Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa in an airtight, freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and enjoy them within three months.
How to Reheat: You can reheat leftover portions of these cocktail sausage bites using your microwave, stovetop, or a CrockPot set to low, depending on how many you need to heat up.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions:
We used Jim Beam Bourbon in this recipe. However, as we have said in many of our recipes with bourbon, the best bourbon to use is what you have in your bar cabinet.
We used Trader Joe’s bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup to intensify the bourbon flavor in the kielbasa and the glaze. You can use any maple syrup you have.
Vegetarian Option: Replace the kielbasa with a meatless alternative to make this recipe vegetarian.
Vegan Option: In addition to the guidance for vegetarians, vegans should also check that their apricot preserves do not contain any animal-derived sweeteners, such as honey.
Gluten-Free: The ingredients in this recipe should be gluten-free, but check for a gluten-free label on each if you are highly sensitive and want to avoid cross-contamination.
Alcohol-Free Option: We love the flavor notes bourbon adds to the kielbasa, but you can replace this ingredient with apple juice or NA bourbon to make it alcohol-free.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: We use 1.5 pounds of sliced kielbasa to make 24 pieces of Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa, or enough to fill a small to medium-sized serving dish. Scale the written recipe up or down to your desired yield, working in batches as needed if you scale up.
Make It Spicy: Add some chili sauce to taste to spice up this appetizer!
Sugar-Free: Replace the apricot preserves and maple syrup with sugar-free alternatives to make this recipe sugar-free. If you replace the bourbon with apple juice, use a sugar-free variety.
Tips for the Best CrockPot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
- You could also use a triple slow cooker if you prepare these for a party, so the CrockPot takes up less space on the counter or table.
- You can serve these Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa bites in a dish or on a serving platter with toothpicks in each for guests to serve themselves.
- Please remember that nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin c, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary depending on the products used.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
If you are hosting a party for the big game, here are our favorite easy Game Day Appetizers so you can watch the game or commercials, depending on what you are excited about. LOL!
CrockPot Grape Jelly Meatballs: 3 ingredients are all you need!
CrockPot Jamaican Jerk Wings: Such a crowd-pleaser!
Copycat CrockPot Chili's Queso: Hello, YUM! I could eat this entire dish myself.
CrockPot Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs: Such a fun twist on the classic meatball recipe
Buffalo Chicken Wontons: They only look complicated to make!
Chicken and Waffles with Spicy Dipping Sauce - These taste amazing!
When to Serve
Slow Cooker Kielbasa Bites are perfect for your next party or when you want a great snack. This amazing easy appetizer recipe is easy and perfect for making ahead of your next big event.
- Game Day Snack
- Parties
- Cocktail Night
- Football Game Day Parties
- Christmas Party
- Potluck
- Crock Pot Game Day Recipe
Great Recipe Collections
Slow Cooker Soups - These Crock Pot Soup Recipes are filling, oh so delicious and best of all, super easy to make!
Quick and Easy Finger Food Appetizers - The perfect easy appetizers guests can pick up and enjoy
Casserole Recipes - Our best casseroles that are easy to make and taste amazing.
What to make with Cream Cheese - Do you have a block of cream cheese you need to use? Check out these great recipes with cream cheese.
Cherry Pie Filling Recipes - Check out a ton of desserts made with delicious cherries.
Banana Recipes - Check out our favorite banana recipes for using ripe bananas and dried bananas.
Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.
Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our recipe posts.
Crock Pot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound Kielbasa sliced
- 1 cup Apricot Preserves
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoon Bourbon or apple juice
Instructions
- Combine everything in the crock pot
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Originally shared - November 2013, Updated in 2018 and January 2020
Janice Fryatt
Made this recipe over the weekend! It was a huge hit! I used apple juice since I didn't have bourbon. Next time I will definitely try it with the bourbon. I also did two pounds of kielbasa. It really came out delicious!
Tammilee
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
ambia
How many do you think this recipe serves? With 2# of keilbasa?
Brianna Stronk
I was wondering the same thing. The recipe says 1 pound kielbasa, but the video says 2. Wondering which is correct?
Tammilee
It really depends on how many people you are feeding. This recipe has been so popular when I make it that I have started adding in more Kielbasa.
Francese Cournoyer
HI! The written instructions say 1 lb of Kielbasa and the video says 2 lbs. Please advise. Thank you ! This looks great!
Lisa
If I use cut up hot dogs instead, should I reduce the cooking time? Thanks
Dana
Ever make it with Italian sausage?
Tammilee
Hi Dana, I haven't made it with Italian Sausage yet. It sounds really interesting.
Kelli
Hello! I can't wait to try this recipe for our christmas party this weekend! I'm wondering if I have leftovers - does this freeze well? thank you, Kelli
Tammilee
Hi Kelli,
We normally have very few leftovers when we make this recipe. Most of the time they are enjoyed the next day. I haven't tried freezing them. I can't imagine it wouldn't work out ok.
Whitney Stevens
Is this recipe gluten free? Looks like it might be
Tammy
Can you serve this cold?
Avalon
This was a big hit at the holiday potluck at work 🙂 I fried the Kielbasa first before putting it in the crock pot so it would be less greasy! Thanks for providing!
Janelle
Isn't it really greasy using uncooked kielbasa?
Wendy Hampton
This is outstanding! What a great flavor! I'm going to make them on my next RV trip. I bet I could do them in my cast iron dutch oven too. Thanks for sharing.
James
How can I just print it from an IPad ?
Lina4969
does it need to be apricot preserves? i actually have some bourbon sauce leftover from making bourbon chicken and was wondering if that would work
Tammilee
I bet it would work ok. I have not tried it with another sauce but I would think it would work just fine.
carol ray
I am a big recipe tweeker..I think I could use orange marmalade or other flavors as well as barbecue sauces of all kinds...
Sandy
I made this & it didn't come out thick at all...it was all liquidy. What did I do wrong? Suggestions please. HELP! Thanks
Sandy
So, what did I do wrong? I did this & came out thin not thick at all...HELP!! Suggestions please!!
Stephanie
If I wanted to double the amount of Kielbasa do I need to double the amount of sauces? Sometimes these type of recipes have an abundance of sauce and one doesn't need to double the sauce also. But figured I should ask before I attempt it this weekend. Thanks.
Tammilee
Hi, I would add additional sauce to the recipe. That way all of the kielbasa is coated nicely.
carol ray
I doubled all the ingredients
Mary
I just found this randomly on Pinterest and so glad that I did!! I have kielbasa in the fridge that I want to use and this recipe sounds divine! Sweet and salty. Yum!!
sarah
Hi, just wondering if anyone knows....this looks like precooked kielbasa, is not it? Or is it raw to begin with? Hoping to make them tomorrow but not sure if I go to the butcher or just the grocery store....?
Tammilee
Hi Sarah, I used kielbasa from the grocery store. It is processed Kielbasa.
Kelly
So uncooked kielbasa from the grocery and it’s ok on 4 hours???
Jim
Hi,
I'm not a cook, or a chef, heck, I'm just a guy who makes hamburgers. I was asked to bring appetizers to a Thanksgiving dinner and I like these. It would have been very helpful to know how many people this recipe will serve. It seems that most of the other recipe pages I've looked at include such information, but I can't find it on this page.
Tammilee
Hi Jim,
This recipe made about 30 Kielbasa bites. It really depends on how thick you slice the Kielbasa. You can easily double or triple this recipe depending on how many people you are serving.
Kayla
I made these tonight for a NYE party and was curious how you got them to be more "glazey". My sauce was super funny and didn't stick well to the kielbasa. Did I do something wrong?
carol ray
it also depends on how much food you are serving and how many people..i did 2 links of hilshire farms and 30 people but I had a ton of other food too...I also took the skin off the kielbasa first but they were the hit of the party next to my whisky cake..whisky..bourbon..i am seeing a trend here lol
StarvingDiva
I'm bringing this to my families holiday party, but I'm going to probably make more than just a pound of kielbasa, if I double or triple the recipe, do I need to add more hours to the cooking time, I mean the kielbasa is cooked so I wasn't sure. Any advice would be great
Kristin Wheeler (
YUM!!! These look like the perfect appetizer for a holiday party!
Gracie
My best friend does something similar with sweet potatoes... but with butter and more bourbon 😉 Looks yummy - will try this.