This healthy turkey kielbasa recipe with peppers, onions, and zucchini is a one pan wonder. Use fully cooked smoked turkey polska kielbasa for this skillet recipe.
This is my "go to" turkey kielbasa recipe in our home. I love kielbasa, whether it's turkey or pork. Smoked kielbasa is generally already cooked, and there is not a lot of drama to get a healthy dinner on the table fast.
Kielbasa can be put it in nearly any recipe. We eat some version of this turkey kielbasa recipe with onions and peppers at least twice a month.
Right now, I'm on a turkey kick, but this recipe can be switched back and forth between pork and turkey kielbasa.
This Healthy Turkey Kielbasa Recipe is Versatile.
Don't have or can't find fully cooked turkey kielbasa? Use smoked fully cooked pork kielbasa instead.
Use any favorite fresh or dried herbs for turkey kielbasa recipes. Some ideas include: rosemary, Italian seasoning, thyme, parsley, or basil.
Don't have zucchini? Make turkey kielbasa with celery instead. Or switch out carrots for peppers. Or use green peppers instead of red. Own the kielbasa recipe once you're comfortable with it!
Add a dash of fresh lemon juice or a favorite vinegar for a little extra tang in this recipe.
Polska turkey kielbasa tastes delicious with a slather of sharp mustard and adds a little bit of heat. FYI - Polska is the Polish name for Poland.
Add a favorite cheese as a garnish for turkey kielbasa recipes. I love Parmesan cheese but a nice shredded cheddar is also good.
Turkey Kielbasa Recipe Side Dish Suggestions
Some great side dishes to make with healthy turkey kielbasa recipes include:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Orzo Pasta or Any Pasta with a Bit of butter or oil, salt, pepper, and a dusting of cheese.
- Quinoa
- Farro
- Roasted Potatoes
- Yellow Rice
- Lentils
Is Kielbasa Already Cooked?
Kielbasa is generally sold smoked which almost always means that it is fully cooked. Having said that, there are a couple raw versions of kielbasa.
Check your package. If the pork or turkey kielbasa says smoked, then it is generally "fully cooked" or "ready to eat" and can be eaten as is, direct from the packaging.
If the turkey kielbasa package says, "always heat thoroughly" then generally it needs to be cooked again precautionary.
I choose to sear the kielbasa because I like the taste of seared meats. But, if in a hurry, the searing can be skipped and just thrown in the pan to warm it up with the rest of the recipe ingredients.
Can You Eat Turkey Kielbasa Cold?
Smoked Pork or Turkey kielbasa can be eaten cold because it is already pre-cooked when it's smoked. Having said that, some packaging says "heat through" but others say fully cooked.
Think about hot dogs when thinking about fully cooked kielbasa. Would you eat that "raw"? I did all the time as a kid. Check the packaging if unsure.
Generally, it's just a preference to warm it up to eat it most of the time. Smoked cold turkey kielbasa would be excellent on a sandwich or as a fast snack sliced with crackers.
How Long Does Turkey Kielbasa Last In The Refrigerator?
Turkey Kielbasa is great because it stays good in the refrigerator a long time. And it's super tasty and healthy on top of it.
Check the packaging for an expiration date. Usually, unopened smoked sausages have a long expiration date - i.e. - a couple months.
Once the kielbasa package is opened, then it needs to be eaten in 5-7 days.
Turkey kielbasa packages can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Turkey Kielbasa, Peppers, and Zucchini Skillet
This healthy turkey kielbasa recipe with peppers, onions, and zucchini is a one pan wonder. Use fully cooked smoked turkey or pork kielbasa sausage for this skillet recipe.
EatSimpleFood.com
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten Free, Keto, Low Fat, Low-Carb, Paleo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz turkey kielbasa, (pre-cooked), sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- salt, ½ tsp
- black pepper, pinch
- ½ lemon, juiced - optional
- ¼ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning - optional
Instructions
- Bring a 12" skillet to medium high heat and add enough olive oil to lightly coat the pan (~ 1 Tbsp)
- Sear sliced kielbasa on one side for ~3 minutes or until lightly browned. Don't overcrowd the pan or the kielbasa will steam and not sear. Add more oil if pan dries out too much.
- Flip kielbasa to other side and sear for an additional 2-3 minutes or until browned. Set kielbasa aside on a plate.
- In the same pan, add another light layer of olive oil (~ 1 Tbsp)
- When hot, add onions, peppers, zucchini, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Add more olive oil if pan is drying out.
- Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic and a touch more olive and cook until fragrant (~ 1-2 minutes).
- Cook longer if you want softer vegetables or eat them now as al dente veggies. Add kielbasa to the pan.
- Add salt to taste and optional Italian seasoning.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the top. Serve with your favorite side dish - mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, orzo pasta, quinoa, farro, or rice.
Notes
- Don't crowd the pan when searing the kielbasa. If it doesn't all fit in the pan, cook it in batches.
- I like to slice kielbasa on the bias - this means on the diagonal. It's not necessary but you end up with larger slices (and also fewer slices) with more surface area for searing.
Things In My Kitchen:
- pastry scraper - One of my favorite kitchen things for picking up food from the cutting board & transferring to bowls or pans.
- cutting board - 18 x 14 x .75 is my board. Sustainably harvested, easy on knives, got the juice grooves, and pretty.
- 12" nonstick skillet - 12" with a lid, oven safe to 400F, PFOA free. Perfect for seafood and delicate meats.
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