Oh man, this is one of those cozy crockpot meals that makes the whole house smell like fall football Sundays and family dinners at grandma’s place. The sweet apples mixed with smoky sausage? Yeah… it’s ridiculously good. And honestly, the best part is how little work it takes. Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do its thing while you binge your favorite show or pretend to clean the kitchen. We’ve all been there.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and savory flavor combo
- Super easy crockpot dinner
- Perfect for chilly nights
- Great with smoked sausage or kielbasa
- Family-friendly and budget-friendly
- Makes the kitchen smell incredible — not kidding
Ingredients
- 2 packages smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
- 3 apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
How To Make Slow Cooker Sausage & Apples
Step 1: Prep Everything
Slice the sausage into thick rounds. Chop the apples into chunks. I like using Honeycrisp or Granny Smith because they hold up nicely and don’t turn into mush halfway through cooking.
Step 2: Add To Slow Cooker
Throw the sausage, apples, and onions into the crockpot. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, mustard, butter, salt, and pepper.
Honestly, at this point it already smells amazing.
Step 3: Slow Cook
Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for about 2–3 hours until the apples are soft and the sausage gets coated in that sticky sweet glaze.
Step 4: Serve Hot
Serve it just like that or spoon it over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Some folks even eat it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce — and yeah, that’s a solid move.
Best Apples For This Recipe
Here are my favorites:
- Honeycrisp
- Granny Smith
- Fuji
- Pink Lady
Soft apples can break down too much in the slow cooker, so I skip Red Delicious for this one.
Tips For The Best Crockpot Sausage & Apples
- Brown the sausage first if you want extra flavor
- Add a tiny splash of apple cider for richer sauce
- Want heat? Toss in red pepper flakes
- Don’t overcook the apples or they’ll get too soft
What To Serve With Sausage & Apples
This dish goes with a bunch of comfort-food favorites:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted veggies
- Buttered noodles
- Rice
- Cornbread
Honestly, cornbread with this? Absolute game changer.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or warm slowly on the stovetop.
And weirdly enough? The flavor gets even better the next day.
FAQs
Can I use chicken sausage?
Yep! Chicken apple sausage works really well here.
Can I freeze it?
You sure can. Freeze for up to 2 months in a sealed container.
Can I make it without sugar?
Absolutely. The apples and maple syrup already bring plenty of sweetness.
Final Thoughts
This slow cooker sausage and apples recipe is one of those easy comfort meals you end up making again and again because everybody actually eats it without complaining — which honestly feels like a miracle some nights.
Sweet apples, smoky sausage, rich glaze… it just works. Simple, cozy, and seriously satisfying.
Slow Cooker Sausage & Apples
Ingredients
Method
- Prep the Ingredients
- Slice the sausage into thick rounds. Peel and chop the apples into chunks. Slice the onion.
- Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
- Place the sausage, apples, and onion into the crockpot. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Cook
- Cover and cook on:
- LOW for 4–5 hours
- or
- HIGH for 2–3 hours
- The apples should be tender and the sausage coated in a rich sweet glaze.
- Serve
- Serve warm with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or crusty bread.
