Smoked Sausage, Kale and Cider Quinoa Skillet is simple, full of hearty fall flavors, and made in just one skillet.
We’ve been doing all the fall things lately, and its with a recent trip to the orchard in mind that I developed the recipe for Smoked Sausage, Kale and Cider Quinoa Skillet!
This hearty, one skillet dish combines smoked sausage, fresh kale, apple cider, sage, and dried cranberries with fluffy quinoa in a hearty, all-fall meal. No side dish required!
The ingredients include some of my all-time favorites and the dish is bursting with flavor from the inside out. Smoked sausage, fresh sage, kale, and dried cranberries are all quintessential fall comfort foods. Plus quinoa cooked in chicken broth AND apple cider? Such a game changer!
Now, don’t think that since this dish is made with apple cider that it’s sweet. I promise it’s not. The apple cider, when combined with chicken broth, gives the quinoa just a hint of savory apple flavor.
Even better than the flavor is the fact that this dish is seriously simple and made in just one skillet. Easy, easy!
How to Make this Recipe
Start by sauteing 12oz smoked sausage that’s been sliced in half then into half moons with 4 cups chopped lacinato kale, 1 large shallot, and 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh sage in 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until the sausage starts to turn golden brown and the kale is tender, 5-7 minutes.
Next add 1 cup each apple cider and chicken broth then turn the heat up to bring the liquid to a boil.
Make sure you’re using apple cider vs apple juice, by the way. Juice will make the dish taste sweet since it’s almost always loaded with extra sugar. Pure, unfiltered apple cider is what we’re looking for.
Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa to the skillet then turn the heat down to medium-low and place a lid on top. Simmer until the quinoa has absorbed the liquid and is tender, 20-25 minutes.
Finally, stir in 1/4 cup dried cranberries then take the skillet off the heat but leave the lid on for 5 minutes to heat the dried cranberries through.
Scoop onto plates then dig in!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 oz smoked sausage, Johnsonville recommended
- 4 cups chopped lacinato kale
- 1 large shallot, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup unsweetened apple cider, not apple juice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, optional
Directions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add sausage, kale, shallot, and sage. Season lightly with salt and pepper then saute until sausage begins to turn golden brown and kale is tender, 5-7 minutes.
- Add cider and chicken broth then turn heat up to bring to a boil. Add quinoa, place a lid on top, then turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until quinoa has absorbed all the liquid and is tender, 20-25 minutes. Remove skillet from heat then stir in cranberries and let sit with the lid on for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
You are speaking my language with this one. Thank you!!
I make dinners like this all the time, but I like this twist on the ingredients! I’m gonna try it out :) Also, I CANNOT wait to try that quinoa trick. I hate when they fall out into the sink!!
Looks delicious. Too bad my husband is not a fan of sausage. Can’t wait to go apple picking this weekend. I think my son will have a blast running and picking the fruit. That, and apples are his absolute favorite right now.
I am always so impressed with your amazing photos! My son would definitely approve of that orchard… the hay wagon is being pulled by an Oliver tractor – his favorite! My dad has over 30 Olivers that he has collected over the years and restored so, of course, my son is equally obsessed with them. ;)
I CANNOT wait to try this! YUM. Also, kudos for using Louisburg cider – grew up going to that cider mill for cider, pumpkins, and warm cider DONUTS. :)
I have been on the biggest sausage kick lately, so this is right up my alley! Although I never got used to the texture of quinoa! I prefer rice!
What a GREAT family pic! Happy b-day to Mom IGE! :)
This looks amazing! This is exactly the recipe I need to make use of fall flavors and produce! We went apple picking on Saturday and it was insanely busy and so hot! So worth it though. The apples are delicious!
Love the cider idea..looks great!
This looks delicious! I love the mix of sweet and savory flavors and the addition of the cider. Looks like it was a beautiful weekend to be outside!
Yum! I literally just tried the apple cider + quinoa trick myself in a recipe last week. It’s so delicious!
My birthday was also on Saturday! Happy birthday to your mom. Beautiful weekend for the farmer’s market and apple picking.
Oh yum! I am loving kale right now and will make it any way possible. I love this one pot dish! Perfect for weeknights :)