Sweet and Sour Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers Recipe
This Sweet and Sour Sausage & Peppers recipe is a simple, satisfying meal with a twist. Pineapple and a touch of sweetness make this crockpot dinner unlike anything you’ve tried before.
This Sweet and Sour Sausage recipe is a recipe I discovered in a simple homemade recipe book years ago. It was listed as a freeze ahead meal, and I tried it because it sounded simple and different. It’s both – and delicious, too!
It can easily be put together and frozen to use at a later date, or you can simply dump all the ingredients in the crock pot in the morning so you can have dinner ready and waiting for you at the end of the day.
Serve with fluffy rice, and you have an easy dinner all ready!
Why you’ll like this Slow Cooker Sausage Recipe
Freezer-friendly: Prep ahead of time and freeze for easy meals later.
Perfect for busy days: A quick and easy set-it-and-forget-it recipe for your slow cooker.
Sweet & savory flavor: A refreshing twist on the traditional sausage and peppers with a tangy pineapple sauce.
Minimal prep time: Just combine the ingredients and let the crockpot do the work.
Comforting & filling: Serve over rice or noodles for a hearty meal your family will love.
Ingredients for Sweet & Sour Crock Pot Sausage & Peppers
(A printable recipe card is provided at the bottom of this post with exact measurements and instructions.)
- Kielbasa or Mennonite sausage – Fully cooked, smoky, and flavorful.
- Pineapple chunks – Adds sweetness and a tangy twist to the sauce.
- Carrots – Slightly crunchy and naturally sweet.
- Green pepper – A fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet sauce.
- Onion – Adds depth and savory flavor to the dish.
- Brown sugar – Brings warmth and a rich sweetness.
- Soy sauce – Adds umami and a hint of saltiness.
- Chicken bouillon cube – Enhances the sauce with a savory, seasoned base.
- Garlic powder – A simple way to add a mild garlic kick.
- Ground ginger – Brings warmth and a subtle spice.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce for a glossy, silky texture.
- Cold water – Helps dissolve the cornstarch for easy mixing.
How to Portion, Cook, and Freeze This Recipe to Fit Your Lifestyle:
Making for Two People:
This recipe can be easily scaled down. Simply halve the ingredients, or freeze the full batch and save half for later!
Freezing Ahead:
For easy meal prep, combine all the ingredients except the cornstarch and water in a freezer bag. Label it and freeze for up to 3 months.
To cook from frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then pour into the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Add the cornstarch mixture for the last 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Step by Step Instructions for Crock Pot Sausage & Peppers
- Combine all ingredients except cornstarch and water in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours until hot and bubbly.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water. Add to the crockpot and turn to high for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the sausage mixture over rice or noodles for a hearty meal.
Tips for making this crock pot Sweet & Sour Sausage & Peppers Recipe
- Double It: If making this recipe as a freezer meal, for easy assembly of this recipe, I stand up the {heavy duty} freezer bags in bowls and put the ingredients right into the bag. I like to double the recipe so I can tuck 2 of them into the freezer at once.
- Use any sausage: Kielbasa works great, but you can try any type of sausage you like—Italian sausage or even chicken sausage for a lighter option.
Other Easy Crock Pot Recipes:
- Hawaiian shredded chicken makes delicious chicken tacos.
- This crock pot baked beans recipe, also known as Calico Bean Hotdish, can be served as a side dish or main dish.
- This crock pot pulled pork makes the best sandwiches!
- Crock pot potato pizza bake is a yummy meal with cheesy potatoes and hamburger with Italian spices.
- Hamburger barley soup simmers up deliciously in a crock pot.
Pin this recipe to remember it later!
Sweet & Sour Crock Pot Sausage & Peppers Recipe
Tasty sausage simmered in a sweet & sour pineapple sauce with peppers and carrots makes the most amazing Crock Pot sausage & peppers meal. Serve it over rice for an easy dinner idea.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fully cooked kielbasa or Mennonite sausage
- 1 can (500ml) pineapple chunks, undrained
- 1/2 cups carrots, quartered lengthwise
- 1 large green pepper, cut into 1” pieces
- 1 medium onion, cut into chunks
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup cold water
Instructions
- If making right away, combine everything but the cornstarch and water in a crock pot. Cook for 4-5 hours on low.
- Then, combine the cornstarch and water and add to the hot mixture in the crockpot. Turn it on high for at least 15 minutes and stir occasionally.
- To make this as a freezer meal, combine everything BUT cornstarch and water in a bag. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To serve: Thaw and put in crockpot for 4-5 hours on low. Once it is hot and bubbly, combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add to crockpot. Turn the crock pot up to high and cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
This recipe is so easy to make sweet and sour sausage. Unique flavor and convenient for busy dinners. Definitely worth a try!
We love kielbasa, so I’m definitely bookmarking this! 🙂 It’s getting hot here, so I think I’d like to use my crockpot more this summer!