Best kielbasa, according to chefs
Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from America’s Test Kitchen and Sara Haas. Recommendations come from americastestkitchen.com, allrecipes.com and web.archive.org.
Meats · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Wellshire Farms Smoked Polska Kielbasa
Chosen by- America’s Test Kitchen tasting panel
Also chosen by- America’s Test Kitchen · Vinegar guide source ↗
Winner of ATK’s blind tasting of six smoked kielbasas, tasted plain and in a French-style pork stew: “deeply smoked,” with a “distinctive garlicky flavor,” a “nice coarse texture” and a real snap. It’s all pork, naturally smoked and coarsely chopped, with the most protein and the least sodium and fat in the lineup. Its flavor comes from the meat and smoke, not fillers. ATK still names it the test kitchen’s preferred kielbasa in its recipes.
- 2
Slotkowski Polska Kielbasa
Chosen by- Sara HaasAllrecipes
Every taster ranked it first in Haas’s blind tasting of seven Polish sausages, over Nature’s Rancher, Klement’s, Johnsonville, Vienna Beef, Hillshire Farm and Eckrich. They praised its “snappy, crisp exterior,” fine grind and mild, well-balanced spice. It also held its shape in the pan without wrinkling or shrinking. Haas called it “literally the perfect kielbasa.” It’s a Chicago-area brand (Amylu Foods), sold mostly at Midwest grocers such as Woodman’s.
- 3
Olympia Provisions Smoked Kielbasa
Chosen by- Willamette Week editors
From Elias Cairo’s Portland salumeria, the first USDA-approved meat-curing facility in Oregon. All humanely raised pork and fatback with garlic and mustard seed, slow-smoked over applewood, with no added nitrates. Willamette Week’s guide puts kielbasa on its Olympia Provisions shopping list: “once you’ve plowed through your first cacciatore or kielbasa, your only concern will be when you can get back for more.” Shipped nationwide in three-packs; it freezes well.
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Questions, answered
- What is the best kielbasa, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Wellshire Farms Smoked Polska Kielbasa, chosen by America’s Test Kitchen tasting panel. Winner of ATK’s blind tasting of six smoked kielbasas, tasted plain and in a French-style pork stew: “deeply smoked,” with a “distinctive garlicky flavor,” a “nice coarse texture” and a real snap. It’s all pork, naturally smoked and coarsely chopped, with the most protein and the least sodium and fat in the lineup. Its flavor comes from the meat and smoke, not fillers. ATK still names it the test kitchen’s preferred kielbasa in its recipes. Source: americastestkitchen.com ↗
- What are the other top picks for kielbasa?
- No. 2 is Slotkowski Polska Kielbasa, chosen by Sara Haas (Allrecipes). No. 3 is Olympia Provisions Smoked Kielbasa, chosen by Willamette Week editors. Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.