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Glossy honey garlic kielbasa bites piled on a white shallow platter, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds

Honey Garlic Kielbasa Bites

Honey Garlic Kielbasa Bites are a simple skillet appetizer with smoky sausage coins coated in a glossy honey garlic sauce. They are served warm with toothpicks from a shallow bowl or platter.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 6 appetizer servings
Course: Appetizer
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 14 ounces fully cooked kielbasa or smoked sausage sliced into 1/2-inch coins
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or sliced green onions for garnish
  • Toothpicks for serving

Method
 

  1. Plan on 10 minutes prep time, 12 minutes cook time, and about 6 appetizer servings. Set out a 10- or 12-inch skillet, a small bowl for the sauce, and a serving platter with toothpicks nearby.
  2. Slice the kielbasa into even 1/2-inch coins. Don’t cut them too thin. Thin slices can curl hard in the pan and turn a little tough before they brown.
  3. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Stir until the mustard breaks up and the sauce looks smooth.
  4. Heat the olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa in a single layer as much as you can. If your skillet is small, brown it in two batches instead of piling it up.
  5. Cook the sausage for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side, until the bottoms have deep golden spots. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. You should hear a steady sizzle, not a wet sputter. If the pan looks crowded and steamy, give it another minute after the moisture cooks off.
  6. Lower the heat to medium. Pour in the honey garlic sauce and stir to coat the sausage. Let it bubble gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often so the honey doesn’t scorch on the bottom.
  7. Mix the cornstarch with the cold water in a small cup. Pour the slurry into the skillet and stir right away. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  8. Turn off the heat and let the bites sit in the skillet for 2 minutes. The sauce will tighten slightly as it cools, which helps it stick better.
  9. Spoon the kielbasa bites onto a shallow serving dish. Sprinkle with parsley or green onions, then add toothpicks just before serving. Serve warm.

Notes

Brown the sausage first so it does not steam in the sauce. Use medium heat once the honey goes in because honey can burn fast. Choose low-sodium soy sauce, cut even pieces, stir cornstarch with cold water before adding it, and taste before adding extra salt. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of water if needed.