Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet Bake with Kale & Caramelized Onions – Traeger & Oven Directions
This smoked sausage & potato skillet bake is loaded with flavor from caramelized onions and kale. It can be baked in the oven or Traeger/pellet grill and you’ll find directions below!
1 lb. smoked sausage link, sliced (I used venison, you can use whatever kind you like or have)
3–4 cups chopped kale
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. pepper
Instructions
For the Traeger:
Begin by preheating the Traeger or pellet grill to 450F.
Start by heating a large cast iron or oven safe pan over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter is hot, turn the heat down to medium low and add the onions. Toss the onion in the butter moving them around the pan. After 2-3 minutes, add the baking soda and let the onions cook until golden brown and jammy, about 10-15 minutes.
After the onions have finished cooking, add them to a large mixing bowl and set aside. Add the package of A Cut Above Fresh-Cut Potato Wedges to the skillet and toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil and salt. When the grill has preheated, slide the skillet directly on the grates and let the potatoes cook by themselves for 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are just beginning to become soft.
While the potatoes cook, add the sausage, kale, remaining oil, apple cider vinegar, pepper and a pinch of salt if desired to the large bowl with the caramelized onions. Mix well.
When the potatoes have started to soften, add the sausage and kale mixture to the skillet which remains directly on the grill. Cook for 25-30 minutes more until the sausage is nicely browned, kale is cooked and potatoes are soft and golden.
Remove from the grill and serve immediately.
For the Oven:
Begin by preheating the oven to 400F.
Start by heating a large cast iron or oven safe pan over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter is hot, turn the heat down to medium low and add the onions. Toss the onion in the butter moving them around the pan. After 2-3 minutes, add the baking soda and let the onions cook until golden brown and jammy, about 10-15 minutes.
After the onions have finished cooking, add them to a large mixing bowl and set aside. Add the package of A Cut Above Fresh-Cut Potato Wedges to the skillet and toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil and salt. When the oven has preheated, slide the skillet in the oven and let the potatoes cook by themselves for 18-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are just beginning to become soft.
While the potatoes cook, add the sausage, kale, apple cider vinegar, pepper and a pinch of salt if desired to the large bowl with the caramelized onions. Mix well.
When the potatoes have started to soften, remove the skillet from the oven and add the sausage and kale mixture to the potatoes. Slide the skillet back in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes more until the sausage is nicely browned, kale is cooked and potatoes are soft and golden.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
The baking soda speeds up the reaction in the pan causing the onions to caramelize faster. This also breaks down the onions a bit causing them to be a lovely, jammy consistency. By using a very small amount of baking soda, the flavor is undetected and the result is still a sweet and slightly smoky caramelized onion.
This recipe can be made in a pellet grill or oven.
I used venison smoked sausage in the recipe but any type of smoked sausage will work whether you’re working with wild game, pasture raised, or store-bought meat. It’s very flexible.