Quick & Delicious: Ina Garten’s Hasselback Kielbasa Recipe

Hasselback kielbasa transforms an ordinary sausage into a culinary masterpiece that captivates dinner tables with its elegant presentation and robust flavors.

Slicing techniques elevate this traditional protein, creating intricate patterns that invite taste buds on a delightful journey.

Rustic yet sophisticated, the method allows marinades and seasonings to penetrate deep within the meat’s layers.

Bold aromatics and carefully selected spices contribute to a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Each cut transforms the kielbasa into an artistic canvas, promising a memorable dining experience.

The technique celebrates simplicity while delivering maximum gastronomic impact with minimal effort.

You’ll be amazed by how a few strategic knife strokes can revolutionize a classic ingredient: prepare to be inspired.

Hot Tips for This Sausage Classic

• Slice with Precision: Make strategic cuts two-thirds through the kielbasa, keeping the base intact for beautiful presentation and even cooking.
• Embrace Fresh Flavor Boosters: Opt for fresh thyme and garlic to elevate the dish's taste profile, ensuring vibrant, aromatic elements shine through.
• Maximize Roasting Potential: Select a spacious roasting pan or two sheet pans to create ample room for vegetables, guaranteeing crispy edges and perfect caramelization.
• Create Irresistible Glaze: Brush honey mustard every 10 minutes to develop a sticky, glossy coating that transforms the kielbasa into a mouthwatering centerpiece.
• Ensure Even Vegetable Cooking: Midway through roasting, give vegetables a gentle stir to promote uniform browning and prevent any soggy spots.

Storage Tips for Leftover Kielbasa

• Refrigerate: Seal the sizzling Hasselback Kielbasa in a leak-proof glass container, ensuring the seal is tight to lock in flavor and prevent odors from spreading. Keep refrigerated for maximum 3 days, positioning the container in the coolest section of your fridge.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions in heavy-duty aluminum foil, pressing out excess air to prevent freezer burn. Transfer sealed portions into a freezer-safe zip-lock bag, labeling with the date. Frozen kielbasa maintains peak quality for 2 months, ready to reheat for quick meals.
• Reheat: Revive cold kielbasa using a skillet method for crispy edges. Drizzle a touch of olive oil in a medium-hot pan, placing slices carefully to prevent sticking.

Flavor Ideas for Hasselback Fun

• Spicy Smoky Sausage Roast: Replace kielbasa with andouille sausage and add smoked paprika to the vegetable seasoning for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap thyme for rosemary and oregano, then incorporate kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes with the existing vegetables for a Mediterranean touch.
• German-Inspired Bratwurst Bake: Use bratwurst instead of kielbasa, incorporate sauerkraut with the roasted vegetables, and replace honey mustard with whole grain German mustard for an authentic flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Root Veggie Version: Substitute kielbasa with thick slices of smoked tofu or plant-based sausage, add root vegetables like parsnips and carrots to complement the existing fennel and onions for a hearty plant-based alternative.

Last Word on This Meaty Favorite

Kielbasa magic unfolds in this sensational sheet pan symphony, where hearty Polish sausage meets roasted Mediterranean vegetables.

Garten’s recipe transforms humble ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that dances between rustic charm and gourmet elegance.

Sweet honey mustard glaze caramelizes each slice, creating irresistible golden-brown edges that beckon hungry diners.

Fennel seeds and thyme whisper subtle aromatics through perfectly roasted vegetables, complementing the smoky kielbasa.

Weekend warriors and weeknight champions alike will find comfort in this one-pan wonder that minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor.

Polish-inspired perfection awaits – zoom those close-up shots, tag your favorite foodie friends, and let this recipe spark conversations that make mouths water and hearts connect.

Why Hasselback Kielbasa Is a Crowd-Pleaser

• Elevate Simple Ingredients: Transform humble kielbasa and vegetables into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal effort, creating a stunning meal that looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated.
• Maximize Flavor Complexity: Blend sweet honey, tangy Dijon mustard, aromatic thyme, and fennel seeds to develop a rich, multi-dimensional taste profile that elevates the entire dish with minimal additional ingredients.
• Master Easy Cooking Technique: Learn the impressive Hasselback slicing method that creates beautiful presentation and allows glazes to penetrate deeply, ensuring every bite of kielbasa is perfectly caramelized and deliciously crispy.

Gather These for Hasselback Kielbasa

Main Ingredients:

• Kielbasa: Smoky Polish sausage that serves as the main protein, best when high-quality and fresh.

• Onions: Sweet base vegetable that adds depth and caramelization to the dish, look for firm and smooth bulbs.
• Fennel: Provides anise-like flavor and crisp texture, choose bulbs with bright white color and fresh green fronds.
• Bell Peppers: Adds color and sweetness, select firm peppers with vibrant, glossy skin.

• Olive Oil: Helps roast vegetables and provides rich, smooth coating, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic flavor, fresh cloves are more potent than pre-minced.
• Thyme: Classic herb that brings earthy, slightly minty notes, fresh sprigs recommended.
• Fennel Seeds: Provide additional layer of anise flavor, whole seeds are more intense than ground.
• Salt: Enhances overall dish flavor, kosher or sea salt preferred.
• Black Pepper: Adds warmth and slight heat, freshly ground offers best taste.

• Dijon Mustard, Honey: Create sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes kielbasa, use good quality pure honey.

Slicing Into Hasselback Kielbasa at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 220°C / 425°F, getting ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Slice the Vegetables

• Onions: Slice in half, then cut crosswise into half-rounds
• Fennel: Split lengthwise, then slice into thick wedges
• Bell Peppers: Chop into wide strips, removing stems and seeds

Toss all vegetables into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Season the Vegetable Medley

• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Fennel seeds
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything until each veggie is beautifully coated.

Step 4: Roast the Vegetable Base

Spread the seasoned vegetables onto a large roasting pan in a single layer. Slide into the preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes, giving them a gentle toss halfway through.

Step 5: Prepare the Kielbasa

Carefully slice the kielbasa crosswise, cutting about two-thirds through but keeping the bottom intact. This creates a beautiful accordion-like effect.

Step 6: Create the Honey Mustard Glaze

• Dijon mustard
• Honey

Step 7: Combine and Second Roast

Place the sliced kielbasa atop the roasted vegetables. Generously brush the honey mustard glaze over the sausage. Return to the oven for 30 minutes, basting with additional glaze every 10 minutes until the kielbasa becomes crispy and golden brown.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the roasted kielbasa and vegetables to a serving platter. Sprinkle with extra salt if desired. Serve immediately with remaining honey mustard on the side for extra dipping.

Ina Garten Hasselback Kielbasa Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Hasselback Kielbasa delivers a mouthwatering Polish-inspired appetizer with crispy edges and tender, flavorful sausage. Sliced kielbasa baked with butter, mustard, and herbs creates an irresistible dish perfect for gatherings where you’ll impress guests with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fully cooked, smoked kielbasa
• 1 (1-pound) fennel bulb, stalks removed
• ¾ pound yellow onions (2 to 3 onions)
• 1 each red, yellow, and orange Holland bell pepper

Seasonings and Spices:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) minced garlic (6 cloves)
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) minced fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) whole fennel seeds, chopped
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Sauces and Oils:

• Good olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) liquid honey

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 220°C / 425°F, ensuring a hot environment for roasting.
2. Halve the onions, then slice crosswise into 1.3cm / ½-inch-thick half-rounds, depositing them in a spacious mixing bowl.
3. Divide the fennel bulb lengthwise, then segment into 2.5cm / 1-inch-thick wedges through the core, adding to the onions.
4. Deconstruct the peppers into 2.5cm / 1-inch-wide strips, removing stems and seeds, and incorporate into the vegetable mixture.
5. Infuse the vegetables with olive oil, minced garlic, fresh thyme, crushed fennel seeds, salt, and black pepper, thoroughly coating each piece.
6. Transfer the seasoned vegetables to a large roasting pan, distributing them in a single, even layer to promote optimal caramelization.
7. Roast the vegetables for 20 minutes, using a spatula to rotate and ensure uniform cooking halfway through the process.
8. Meanwhile, prepare the kielbasa by creating crosswise slices approximately 0.6cm / ¼-inch thick, maintaining connection at the base.
9. After initial roasting, nestle the kielbasa atop the vegetables, removing any spent thyme sprigs.
10. Craft a glaze by combining Dijon mustard and honey in a small bowl, then generously brush over the kielbasa’s surface.
11. Continue roasting for an additional 30 minutes, reapplying the honey mustard glaze every 10 minutes to achieve a crispy, caramelized exterior.
12. Once the kielbasa appears bronzed and vegetables are tender, remove from the oven and adjust seasoning with extra salt if desired.
13. Serve immediately, accompanied by any remaining honey mustard for additional drizzling.

Notes

• Customize Your Honey Mustard: Mix different mustards like Dijon or whole grain for a unique glaze that elevates the kielbasa’s flavor profile.
• Maximize Vegetable Caramelization: Create extra crispy edges by cutting vegetables into similar-sized pieces and ensuring they’re not overcrowded on the pan.
• Temperature Matters: Let ingredients sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before roasting to help them cook more evenly and develop deeper flavors.
• Smart Cutting Technique: Slice kielbasa partially to create beautiful accordion-like presentation while ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Herb Enhancement Trick: Chop fresh thyme right before adding to release maximum aromatic oils and intensify the dish’s overall taste experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Polish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 493 kcal
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 1260mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 16g
• Cholesterol: 76mg