Grocery Shoppers Say These Are The 7 Best Kielbasa Brands In Stores

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

As shoppers, we often only see what our local stores put in stock. It might not be feasible to try every brand or even fully understand the scope of what's out there. If you're like us, your grocery store may only have a couple of kielbasa options, and perhaps you've been wondering which brands are best — especially since kielbasa isn't your typical sausage. For example, the difference between Polish kielbasa and things like bratwurst is that kielbasa is usually smoked — it's longer and thinner, with a smoother texture than brats. It can be made from nearly any meat or meat blend, whereas bratwurst is typically pork. Since "kielbasa" merely means sausage, there are many types of kielbasa out there — from white to country styles.

We set out to conduct research to see what people think, what they call out as their favorite kielbasa brands, and why. We identified top brands with great reviews across various brand or grocery store product pages, as well as insights from Reddit and other reviews and articles. Grabbing a convenient option from the grocery store is one option, but these brands stand out for their fantastic flavors and textures that keep customers coming back. As you're whipping up your favorite kielbasa-based recipes, you might have wondered how to give your dish an upgrade, and a flavorful kielbasa is the first place to start. These are some of the best options on the market — now you just have to keep an eye out for where to buy them or whether your retailer sells them.

Teton Waters Ranch sells some delicious products, and the 100% Grass-Fed Beef Kielbasa Rope Sausage uses beef along with seasonings like garlic, onion, and even cherry powder. It comes in the rope-style shape, but truly stands out because it is both grass-fed and finished. That means the cows ate or foraged for grass rather than being fed grains. This distinction makes Teton Waters Ranch's kielbasa highly praised by customers. People praise the minimal ingredient list, as it contains no added nitrates, nitrites, or sugar. 

Reviews on Amazon say they like that it's a healthier version of sausage, while others say it's better than some other brands. Some share that they searched high and low for quality kielbasa and found it in Teton Waters Ranch's product. "The taste is great without all the added junk, and it comes from 100% grass-fed beef," one reviewer shared. People call out the great taste, delightful snap and juiciness, and appreciate the versatility. If you're not usually a sausage fan, these may very well change your mind. "I'm not a big sausage person, never have been, but these!?! Wow, they are delicious! They live in my freezer ..." said one review. You may be able to purchase this at stores like Kroger and Whole Foods, but availability varies.

Hillshire Farm has an enormous repertoire of meats under its umbrella, so the fact that it sells kielbasa isn't much of a stretch of the imagination. But it doesn't sell just one; it has five under its belt, allowing the masses to find an option that suits their dietary needs and taste preferences. There's Polska Kielbasa, Lite Polska Kielbasa, smoked beef, turkey, and a larger pack of smoked Polska Kielbasa. But are the products good? Well, customers report that the answer is a strong "yes." 

Customer reviews for the Polska Kielbasa on Kroger mention that it's the only kielbasa they purchase for the household and that they enjoy it so much they buy it weekly. This specific kielbasa uses turkey, pork, and beef, creating a flavorful blend. "I'm Polish and grew up eating it. This has great flavor and is so easy to prepare," one person noted. People like to grill, fry, bake, or even boil it. The turkey Hillshire Farm kielbasa gets a lot of love, too, with customers saying they appreciate the turkey base and delicious taste. Some even share that the picky eaters in the household love it and even prefer it to other meat kielbasa varieties. 

The products are well received and easy to use, and it doesn't matter which you choose. And luckily, they are widely available at major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Albertsons. Whatever your dinner plans are, you can find a Hillshire Farm kielbasa to fill your belly.

While you're scoping out the aisle of Whole Foods for prepared foods and random snacks, you should add the Uncured Kielbasa Pork Sausage to your cart. The pork-based product is an ideal option for quick meals, requiring a smidge more effort than the prepped foods — but not by much. People appreciate the taste and that it's not too salty. The kielbasa uses pork, vinegar, salt, and spices such as nutmeg, garlic, and coriander to ensure every bite is delicious. 

Convenience and a not-too-chewy texture are also pointed out as positive factors. It has an ideal texture that strikes a fine balance, neither too dry nor overly greasy, which is not an easy feat. Customers share that they use it for everything from gumbo to frying with sliced onions and peppers. The spice blend in the sausage would pair nicely with sautéed cabbage for a smoky, rich dish. As you can expect, this is only available at Whole Foods Market stores, so it's worth adding to your shopping cart if you have a store near you. However, you can purchase the Uncured Kielbasa Pork Sausage on Amazon through Whole Foods, which is available for in-store pickup or delivery within the delivery area.

Eckrich's Skinless Polska Kielbasa Rope is a pretty popular option that customers seem to rely on. It's made with pork, chicken, corn syrup, MSG, and some other additions to give it depth of flavor. On Walmart alone, it has thousands of ratings and a high star rating. People really like the texture, saying it's even better than some other popular brands. In addition, others say it's delicious and a great value. Reviews on the Eckrich product page reveal even more praise, with people talking about loving its versatility and well-rounded, smoky taste. They also reiterate the excellent texture, with no chewy bits or gristle that can affect mouthfeel. 

One reviewer says they're Polish, are very familiar with kielbasa, and even have a multi-generational recipe handed down, and the brand is a great alternative if you can't make it from scratch. "Their skinless smoked flavor is comparable to that of my grandfathers! Definitely a 10/10 in our household," they shared. It shouldn't be too tough to find, as the kielbasa product is available at Walmart, Dollar General, and smaller, more local retailers. Try it on a breakfast pizza for a savory start to your day, or use it in a milder gumbo.

When you want something truly delicious, opt for Slotkowski's Polska Kielbasa. It is available at various grocery stores — from Jewel-Osco to Fred Meyer – but some still report that it is hard to find (though this may vary by region). And some even wish that it were possible to mail them a pack because they miss it so much. This is a favorite where customers say it has a terrific snappy quality and fantastic flavor that is appropriately spiced but not overwhelming. 

"This is very tasty packaged kielbasa. beats all other competitors. give it a try, you'll be happy you did," a customer wrote on a Kroger review. Other reviewers appreciate that it doesn't warp or wrinkle very much after cooking, calling it out as their top kielbasa option. "I grew up eating this brand and to this day I only eat Slotkowski," others share on Jewel Osco's product page. They went on to say that they tend to buy several packs at a time in case they can't find Slotkowski nearby. People have fond memories of eating the scrumptious sausage, so it's clearly worth trying if you can locate it near you.

One of the best brands selling kielbasa is none other than Boar's Head. Yep, the brand that sells deli meat at your grocery store. Rather than picking up some sliced ham or turkey as usual, you should add the Smoked Uncured Kielbasa to the top of your list. The brand keeps its kielbasa ingredients minimal, without some of the fillers you'll find in other brands. The quality and taste are major reasons customers call it a top pick. 

Others share that they found it at the store by chance and were thrilled they did. "Ingredients are short and clean," one person said on Instacart. It uses a blend of pork and beef, along with sea salt, paprika, and natural flavors, which makes it a great option for all kinds of dishes. You can buy it at stores like Kroger, Ralphs, and Safeway when you want a versatile ingredient for your meals. Customers like to eat it hot or cold (totally okay to do, as it's fully cooked) and say it also pairs nicely with sauerkraut and potatoes — like in a skillet recipe. It's the perfect pick-me-up for breakfast when incorporated into scrambled eggs.

Dietz & Watson is yet another deli counter staple. We reviewed an array of its deli meats and thoroughly enjoyed many options, so it's safe to say the kielbasa is yet another tasty customer-backed option. It all starts with the brand's decades-old family recipe passed down from great-great-grandfather Gottlieb Dietz. The brand has several kielbasa options: one with pork and beef, another with beef-only, a turkey-based option, and others. In the beef and pork-beef ones, for example, you can expect corn syrup, garlic puree, and various other spices and ingredients. People highly recommend the brand's kielbasa over other competitors, while some are specifically fond of the beef-only variety.

People say they bought the Polska Kielbasa for gatherings and received compliments from their guests, while others enjoy the non-greasy base and tasty flavor. But praise for the brand's kielbasa selection is widespread, and that's a major reason it makes it on this list. "This was, hands-down, the best turkey kielbasa on the market," one person reviewed on the brand website regarding the turkey version. It appears out of stock at many retailers, though the review was from four months ago at the time of writing.

Don't give up hope of finding your favorite option; availability varies widely by region, so the best way to find out is to check the product locator on Dietz & Watson's website. Whichever you get, you might want to try it grilled for maximum flavor.

We first set out to identify brands that sell kielbasa, but then started narrowing our options by listening to what people had to say. It was important to find various reviews and public feedback supporting why the brand's kielbasa is so coveted. We found that most reviewers appreciated factors like taste, pleasant texture, and ingredient quality. 

We sourced information from the brand's website and from specific product reviews on grocery retailers such as Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, and more. We were solely looking for products labeled as "kielbasa," and there wasn't much distinction between them in terms of whether they were any specific style (such as country or homestyle kielbasa). We included information on some retailers where you can buy the sausage so you can see if it's sold near you.