Crock Pot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa (2024)

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.

1. Combine everything in the Crock Pot.
2. 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 co*cktail 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
• co*cktail 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.

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Recipe Originally shared - November 2013, Updated in 2018 and January 2020