This simple and tasty grilled Polish sausage recipe pairs smoky sausage with bright, sweet bell peppers for a quick, filling meal that won’t heat up the house. Serve them in buns for the perfect easy weeknight meal!.
As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, there’s nothing better than firing up the grill and cooking some tasty food outdoors. One of my personal favorites to throw on the barbecue is Polish sausage – or kielbasa, as it’s known in Poland. This smoky, garlicky sausage turns an ordinary cookout into a mouthwatering feast.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to grill up the perfect batch of Polish sausages. Whether you’re cooking for a backyard bbq or just your family, these juicy, flavor-packed links are sure satisfy.
Why Grilled Polish Sausage is So Delicious
There are a few reasons why grilling is one of the best ways to prepare Polish sausage
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The smoky flavor – When you cook kielbasa over the hot flames, it takes on a wonderful charred, smoky taste. This adds so much depth and savoriness.
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Caramelized exterior – The high heat of the grill caramelizes and crisps the outside to a golden brown, while keeping the interior moist and juicy
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Quick and easy – Grilling Polish sausage couldn’t be simpler. No boiling, baking or messy prep needed – just throw it on the grates and flip occasionally.
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Versatility – Grilled kielbasa tastes amazing both on its own and served on a bun. You can also chop it up and add it to salads, pasta, pizza and more.
Tips for Choosing the Best Kielbasa for Grilling
While you can find Polish sausage in most grocery stores not all types are created equal when it comes to grilling. Here are a few things to look for
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Smoked kielbasa – For the most authentic flavor, use a naturally smoked Polish sausage. The smokiness enhances the charred notes from the grill.
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Pork and/or beef – Traditional kielbasa contains a blend of pork and sometimes beef. Opt for sausages without poultry or other meats.
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Coarse texture – Avoid sausages with a very finely-ground filling, as they tend to dry out on the grill. Kielbasa with a coarser texture holds up better.
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Natural casings – Sausages encased in natural casings char up nicely without splitting apart. Avoid artificial collagen casings.
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Fresh or fully-cooked – You can grill both raw fresh kielbasa as well as pre-cooked varieties. Just adjust cook times accordingly.
Necessary Equipment for Grilling Kielbasa
Grilling Polish sausages is so simple, you likely already have everything you need:
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Gas or charcoal grill – Any outdoor grill will work. Charcoal adds an extra smoky element.
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Tongs – Use metal tongs to easily flip and rotate the sausages.
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Spatula – A long metal spatula helps move the sausages if they’re skewered.
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Skewers (optional) – If grilling kielbasa slices, skewer them for easy flipping.
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Grill brush – For cleaning the grates before and after grilling.
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Metal tray – Put a tray on the grill to catch any drippings and prevent flare-ups.
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Meat thermometer – Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness.
How to Grill Polish Sausage to Perfection
Follow these simple steps for grilled kielbasa that’s browned, sizzling and full of flavor:
1. Prep the Sausages
Before grilling, remove the sausage from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. If using linked sausages, you can leave them whole or slice into individual links.
For bigger pieces like kielbasa rings, cut them into 1-inch slices. Skewer the slices for easier handling if desired.
2. Prepare the Grill
Heat your charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F. Use a grill brush to clean the grates.
Grease the grates with oil or nonstick spray so the sausages don’t stick.
3. Grill the Kielbasa
Carefully place the sausages directly onto the grill grates. Leave plenty of space between each piece.
Cook for 4-6 minutes on the first side without moving them so they get nice grill marks. Flip and cook 4-6 minutes on the second side.
Rotate or flip the sausages occasionally as they cook until browned on all sides. Whole sausages may take 12-15 minutes total.
4. Check for Doneness
Test doneness by inserting an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of a sausage.
Kielbasa should reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F. The exterior should be sizzling and charred.
5. Let Rest and Serve
When the Polish sausage is fully cooked, use tongs to transfer the links to a platter. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy the kielbasa on its own or in a bun. You can also slice it up to add to tacos, sandwiches, pasta and more!
Delicious Ways to Serve Grilled Polish Sausage
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up your flavorful grilled kielbasa. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- On a bun with spicy mustard or barbecue sauce
- Chopped up in mac and cheese or baked beans
- In a salad with lettuce, bell peppers and Italian dressing
- On a pizza with tomato sauce and cheese
- Added to fried rice or stir-fried vegetables
- In tacos, burritos or quesadillas
- On a kielbasa sub or hoagie sandwich
- Chopped over nachos for a protein boost
So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy the smoky goodness of Polish sausage! From traditional links to creative recipes, grilling is hands-down the tastiest way to cook up this flavorful fare.
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Toppings for Polish Sausages
I like to serve this dish with different flavors to see what folks like best. Here are some of the toppings Ive found guests enjoy:
- Horseradish Sauce
- Classic Polish Mustard
- Dijon Mustard
- Honey Mustard
- Yellow Mustard
- BBQ Sauce
- Sauerkraut
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Hot Sauce
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kielbasa is traditionally from Poland and directly translates to “sausage” in Polish. There are a few different types of Polish sausage. Kielbasa zwyczajna is the type of sausage most Americans associate with Polish sausage. This is a smoked sausage thats made from pork, garlic, and spices, like marjoram and coriander. Biala kielbasa refers to fresh Polish sausages or white kielbasa. This is mostly pork, but sometimes beef or veal is added. It has the same spices as Kielbasa zwyczajna.
While there are many markers that can define health, sausage contains protein and B vitamins which are beneficial. In moderation (as with all things), they can certainly be enjoyed as a part of a healthy life. Bell peppers provide vitamin C, iron, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits, which are all good for your health. For full nutritional information, check the recipe card below.
Many brands of kielbasa, particularly smoked varieties, come pre-cooked. For fresh Polish sausage, though, make sure the inside is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before pulling it apart.
- Different Sausage: Bored of Polish sausage? It’s easy to switch things up by getting chicken sausage, Italian sausage, or any other kind of sausage you like. Just make sure that the temperature inside has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you serve it.
- Grill Pan: If it’s not nice outside or you don’t have a grill, you can cook these sausages on a grill pan inside over medium-high heat. For the peppers, use a cast-iron skillet or stainless steel pan over medium heat.
- Adding onions: If you like grilled onions, yellow or sweet onions go well with this dish. You can put the onions and peppers right in the grill pan.
- Sauerkraut Sausage and sauerkraut are a natural pairing. I like to keep sauerkraut in the fridge so I can put it on sausage sandwiches whenever I feel like it.
Fridge Store leftover sausage and peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer While it is safe to freeze cooked sausage and peppers, I do not recommend it. The texture of the dish will not be ideal when it is defrosted.
If you want to warm up the leftovers, you can either use the microwave (be careful of splatter!) or a pan with a little oil. Preheat the grill to low heat and cook the sausage for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
- For good grill marks, leave the sausage on the grill for a while and don’t move it. When turning the sausage, make one slow turn and then move to the other side. This will help create distinct grill marks.
- You can easily scale this recipe. You can easily change the size of this recipe to fit your needs by moving your mouse over the number next to “Servings” in the recipe card below and dragging the arrow to the size you want.
- Cut small holes in the sides of the sausages so the juice can drip down into the grill. This will keep them from popping.
- Bring a baking sheet to the grill with you so you can carry all of your food and tools in one trip.
Grilled Kielbasa Recipe – How To Grill Polish Sausage – SUPER EASY!!
FAQ
How long do you cook Polish sausage on the grill?
How do you grill sausage without burning it?
How long to grill turkey kielbasa?
How do you cook Polish sausage on a grill?
Take the sausage and place it on the grill over medium heat and allow the sausage to cook evenly throughout, getting the nice grill marks on both sides. Serve your grilled polish sausage on a bun with fried onion to stay close to Polish roots. Others enjoy their kielbasa with sauerkraut or yellow mustard, onions and pickled jalapeno peppers.
How do you cook Polish on a grill?
Method: 1. Put grill on medium heat, when hot lightly oil grill bars with towel 2. Place Polish on grill bars to score 3. Cover and cook about 4 minutes on each side 4. Serve on toasted bun Online Culinary School Planner & Checklist
How do you cook sausage on a grill?
Whatever type you prefer is fine, you can simply pick up a pack at the grocery store or challenge yourself by making your own. Take the sausage and place it on the grill over medium heat and allow the sausage to cook evenly throughout, getting the nice grill marks on both sides.
How long do you cook kielbasa sausage on a grill?
First, let’s preheat the grill. Set to high heat and close the lid. After 5 minutes, open the lid and turn down the heat to medium-high. Add kielbasa to the grill. Cook for about 6 minutes total, checking and turning the kielbasa sausage every couple of minutes. The sausage comes pre-cooked, so we’re just going for good grill marks.