Delicious and Easy Keto Smoked Sausage Recipes

For those following a ketogenic diet, finding satisfying and flavorful recipes can sometimes be a challenge. Smoked sausage, with its robust flavor and versatility, can be a fantastic ingredient in various keto-friendly dishes. This article explores several keto recipes featuring smoked sausage that are easy to prepare and incredibly delicious.

Keto Smoked Sausage Casserole

This easy smoked sausage casserole is the perfect comfort food. It’s a "dump-and-run" recipe: simply dump everything into your slow cooker, stir together, and walk away. In a few hours, you have a hearty side dish or a full keto meal. This dish is especially convenient during busy times like the holiday season.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower (chopped into small pieces, less than 1 inch)
• Smoked sausage (kielbasa, check for less than 2g of carbs per serving)
• Cabot cheddar cheese (or any good sharp cheddar)
• Sour cream
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Glucomannan (optional, for thickening the sauce)
• Chives or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Lightly grease a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker.
2. Add the cauliflower, chopped kielbasa, 4 ounces of the cheddar, the sour cream, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to the bottom.
3. Toss to combine.
4. Cook on low for 3 hours.
5. Stir to mix everything up well. If you want to thicken the sauce at this point, push the meat and cauliflower to one side and whisk the glucomannan into the liquid.
6. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar overtop and replace the lid.
7. Cook another 30 to 60 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the cauliflower is fork tender.
8. Sprinkle with the chives or parsley and serve.

Tips and Variations

• Cauliflower: Chop the cauliflower into small pieces (less than 1 inch) to help it cook through faster and more evenly. Avoid using frozen cauliflower, as it can become mushy. Broccoli or radishes can be used as alternatives.
• Smoked Sausage: Check the label on the smoked sausage to ensure it has less than 2g of carbs per serving. Pre-cooked sausage or cooked chicken can be used as substitutes.
• Cheese: Use good sharp cheddar for the best flavor.
• Thickening the Sauce: If the cauliflower releases a fair bit of liquid, whisk in some glucomannan to thicken the sauce. This step is optional.
• Instant Pot Variation: Pressure cookers tend to force vegetables like cauliflower to release a lot of excess moisture. To avoid this casserole being too soupy, cut the sour cream in half and be ready to add more glucomannan.

Storing and Reheating

Leftovers should be stored in the fridge in a covered container for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or the oven.

Keto Chili with Smoked Sausage

This keto chili with smoked sausage is a perfect choice for a satisfying dish. It combines ground beef and smoked sausage with peppers and onions as the base, then adds diced tomatoes, beef broth, and seasonings to create a delicious chili.

Ingredients

• Ground beef (93% lean)
• Smoked sausage links (no-sugar added smoked beef sausage links, pork sausage links, brats, or kielbasa)
• Bell peppers (orange, red, and yellow)
• Onions
• Diced tomatoes (regular and petite)
• Beef broth
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Keto sugar (optional, to reduce acidity)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook ground beef with salt and pepper until meat is no longer pink, breaking it up into pieces while cooking. Drain the grease.
2. While beef is cooking, in a large stockpot, over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add smoked sausage, peppers, and onions. Sauté for 6-8 minutes or until vegetables start to soften and sausage is lightly browned.
3. Add cooked ground beef, diced tomatoes, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, and sugar. Stir to combine.
4. Over high heat, bring mixture to a boil. Decrease heat and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serving Suggestions

Top with diced or sliced avocado, diced onions, sour cream, shredded cheese, or sliced jalapenos. Serve with a green salad or with keto biscuits, chaffles, cornbread, or English muffins.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Tips and Variations

• Meat Substitutions: Ground turkey, ground pork, or Italian sausage can be used as alternatives to ground beef.
• Vegetable Variations: Use any color combination of bell peppers.
• Broth: Vegetable broth can be used in place of beef broth.

Keto Spanish Rice and Sausage

This keto Spanish rice and sausage recipe is a complete meal made with simple ingredients. It reheats and freezes well, making it perfect for meal planning.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower rice (freshly riced or steamable, riced cauliflower)
• Kielbasa sausage (fully cooked, Polish or Kielbasa)
• Vegetable oil
• Onion (chopped)
• Bell peppers (various colors, diced)
• Scallions (chopped)
• Garlic (minced)
• Canned tomatoes (undrained)
• Water
• Butter
• Parsley (chopped)
• Green onions (chopped)
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried oregano
• Cumin powder
• Italian seasoning
• Black pepper
• Sea salt

Instructions

1. Cook the frozen cauliflower rice according to the directions and set it aside.
2. Slice the kielbasa sausage into rounds, set aside.
3. In a large skillet heat the vegetable oil and cook the chopped onion, peppers, scallions, and garlic over medium heat until just tender and translucent.
4. Next, brown the sausage slices at medium-high heat.
5. Add the cauliflower rice to the skillet and toss well. Add all the spices, being sure to mix well to coat the sausage and cauliflower rice.
6. Add the undrained canned tomatoes, water, and mix well. Next, add the butter and allow to simmer at low heat for about 5-7 minutes.
7. Lastly, stir in the chopped parsley and green onions.
8. Garnish with fresh basil.

Tips and Variations

• Cauliflower Rice: Raw, freshly riced cauliflower will take longer to cook than pre-processed frozen cauliflower.
• Sausage: Any sausage will do, but using a fully cooked Polish or Kielbasa imparts a lot of flavors and reduces the cooking time.
• Vegetables: You can change things up by adding your favorite low-carb vegetables that have been diced.
• Spices: Use smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, cumin powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and sea salt.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 weeks.

Creamy Keto Sausage Skillet

This 30-minute meal is filling, gluten-free, and extremely satisfying. It has a classic Italian taste and a rich broth.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Sausage (Italian)
• Butter
• Garlic (minced)
• Chicken broth
• Heavy whipping cream
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh spinach
• Fresh cherry tomatoes
• Fresh basil (chopped)

Instructions

1. Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sauté the sausage in the heated oil until browned.
3. Drain the excess grease from the skillet, and reduce the heat to medium.
4. Melt the butter in the skillet.
5. Add the garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds.
6. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy whipping cream, stir to combine.
7. Stir in the Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese.
8. Add fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes, sauté until spinach is wilted.
9. Return the sausage to the skillet, and toss to combine well.
10. Garnish with fresh basil.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as a filling entree. Keto garlic knots make a great side dish.

Tips and Variations

• Vegetable Variations: Instead of red peppers, use fresh cherry tomatoes.

Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skillet

This Cajun shrimp and sausage skillet is a perfect 20-minute dinner. Smoked sausage and buttery shrimp are combined with sweet bell peppers, tender zucchini, and crunchy Brussels sprouts in Cajun spices.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Ingredients

• Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• Smoked sausage (sliced)
• Bell peppers (sliced)
• Zucchini (sliced)
• Brussels sprouts (halved)
• Olive oil
• Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss with olive oil and seasoning.
2. Heat a large skillet or griddle to medium heat. Spray with cooking oil.
3. Cook your veggies, sausage, and shrimp for 3 minutes, then stir and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.

Tips and Variations

• Spice Level: Increase or decrease the Cajun seasoning based on your preference for spice. You can replace it with your favorite all-purpose seasoning.
• Vegetable Variations: Use your favorite low-carb vegetables.

Storing and Reheating

Store in the fridge in a glass or plastic container with an airtight lid for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until your desired temperature is met.

Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Skillet

This smoked sausage with peppers and onions skillet is an easy one-pan dinner that’s full of bold flavor and low in carbs.

Ingredients

• Butter or avocado oil
• Garlic (minced)
• Smoked sausage (sliced)
• Onions (sliced lengthwise)
• Bell peppers (sliced lengthwise)
• Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
• Sugar-free BBQ sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Place your skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
2. Add the minced garlic to the skillet.
3. Slice the smoked sausage into coins or half-moons and add to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is lightly browned.
4. Remove the sausage from the skillet, drain any excess grease if needed, and set it aside.
5. Add the sliced peppers and onions to the skillet. Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies start to soften and get a little golden around the edges.
6. Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet along with the Bragg’s Liquid Aminos.
7. Drizzle with sugar-free BBQ sauce.

Tips and Variations

• Sausage: Check the label of your smoked sausage to ensure it doesn't include added sugar or fillers.
• Frozen Vegetables: You can use frozen vegetables, but they’ll release more liquid, so you may need to cook them a little bit longer to get that nice sautéed texture.

Storing and Reheating

Let everything cool completely. Store the leftovers in an airtight container or zippered storage bag. It’ll keep for up to 2 months.

One-Pan Lemon Herb Smoked Sausage with Radishes

This healthy dish is done in less than 30 minutes and requires just one pan to make. It combines Akaushi Beef & Pork Smoked Sausage with tender radish wedges and tosses them in lemon, onion, garlic, and herbs.

Ingredients

• Radishes (cut into wedges)
• Akaushi Beef & Pork Smoked Sausage (sliced)
• Butter
• Garlic (minced)
• Onion (diced)
• Herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Wash and cut radishes into evenly sized wedges.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, add the butter and allow to heat until it begins to sizzle.
3. Add the garlic, onion, and herbs to the skillet and allow to cook down.
4. Add radish wedges to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and allow to cook 15-20 minutes, or until tender, stirring frequently.
5. Meanwhile, cut smoked sausage into 1/4 inch slices.
6. After 15 minutes, add smoked sausage slices to the skillet with the radishes and allow to heat for about 2-3 minutes per side.
7. When done, squeeze lemon juice over entire skillet.

Keto Smoked Sausage Chowder

This keto Smoked Sausage Chowder is a flavor-packed bowl of chowder with keto-friendly ingredients.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

Ingredients

• Bacon (diced)
• Onion (diced)
• Carrots (diced)
• Celery (diced)
• Smoked sausage (sliced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Red bell pepper (diced)
• Cauliflower (cut into small florets)
• Dried thyme
• Low sodium chicken broth
• Cream
• Dried chives

Instructions

1. Sauté the bacon, onion, carrots, and celery for about 8 minutes or until the bacon is slightly brown and the veggies are starting to get tender.
2. Slice the smoked sausage and add to the pot, stirring to combine. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, releasing some of the fat from the sausage.
3. Add the garlic, red bell pepper, and cauliflower. Add the dried thyme and stir for one minute.
4. Add the low sodium (or no sodium added) chicken broth and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and continue to simmer for about 15 minutes or until the veggies are soft.
5. Add the cream and dried chives and stir well.

Keto Italian Smoked Sausage Skillet

This keto Italian Smoked Sausage Skillet is a quick, easy weeknight dinner full of flavor. This skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights and great for meal prep!

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Italian sausage (sliced)
• Butter
• Tomatoes (diced)
• Spinach
• Garlic (minced)
• Chicken broth
• Heavy whipping cream
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sauté the sausage in the heated oil until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Drain the excess grease from the skillet, and reduce the heat to medium.
4. Melt the butter in the skillet.
5. Stir in the tomatoes and spinach, and sauté until the spinach is wilted.
6. Add the garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds.
7. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy whipping cream, stir to combine.
8. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken.
9. Stir in the Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese.
10. Return sausage to skillet.

Serving Suggestions

Keto friendly rolls/breads are a pretty great side dish to enjoy with this skillet meal too. Keto Fathead Rolls or cornbread are keto approved!

Storing and Reheating

This dish makes a great meal prep keto dish as it reheats very well. The sauce is always thickened more and flavors have set through.

tags: #keto #recipes #smoked #sausage