Sauerkraut, a traditional German food high in vitamin C and healthy probiotics. It's a simple recipe that requires only 2 ingredients: cabbage and salt.
Sauerkraut is made of cabbage cut very finely and fermented with lactic acid bacteria. It's a traditional German food that contains lots of vitamin C and a natural source of healthy probiotics, which have so many benefits. An easy recipe made with only 2 ingredients!
Many store-bought sauerkrauts are pasteurized and full of additives and preservatives, so this homemade version is more nutritious and healthier. Besides, it's so inexpensive and easy to make that you won't get it at the store ever again!
This recipe works perfectly as a side dish because it's delicious and savory. It's great to eat with vegan meat substitutes such as seitan and it will give your dishes a wonderful taste. It also has a very nice texture and a unique flavor.
Sauerkraut, a very simple, good, healthy, and nutritious German recipe. It's so easy to make and high in vitamin C, and it requires only 2 ingredients: cabbage and salt. Enjoy it as a side dish with your favorite meals!
How to make sauerkraut - Step by step
- Cut the cabbage into quarters (photo 1) and slice it into thin strips (photo 2).
- Combine the cabbage and salt in a large mixing bowl (photo 3). Let it stand for 10 minutes.
- Massage and squeeze the cabbage and salt together with your hands, kneading it thoroughly to break up the cellular structure of the shredded cabbage (photo 4) for 5 or 10 minutes.
- Pack the cabbage into the jar as tightly as you can, pressing with your fist or a spoon (photo 5) and add the liquid it released (photo 6).
- Close the jar and set aside at room temperature out of direct sunlight for about 4 weeks. Then transfer it into the fridge.
Pro tips
- Feel free to use any other type of cabbage.
- Some people use different spices and ingredients to give the sauerkraut more flavor.
- Remember to sterilize the jar you will be using by boiling it before you make this recipe. You could also divide it into smaller jars if you don't have a large one.
- I'd recommend you use a Fido jar because they keep the oxygen out. If you don't, you should add a layer of olive oil at the top of the ferment, or place something heavy over the cabbage to help hold it under the brine.
- I usually use sea or Himalayan pink salt for this recipe, but any kind of salt will do.
- It's very important that you completely submerge the cabbage, otherwise, the sauerkraut will get spoiled. Feel free to add something on top of the cabbage so it doesn't float.
How long will sauerkraut keep?
This food has a very long shelf life, although it is so tasty you will eat it in no time! You just need to keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and it will last for up to 6 months.
Can I freeze sauerkraut?
Although it will last for months in the fridge, you can freeze it if you have lots of leftovers. To do it you just need to transfer your sauerkraut into freezer-friendly containers and keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
However, it's best to consume it during the first 2 months. To defrost, you can leave it in the fridge or at room temperature overnight.
How to serve sauerkraut
This recipe works as the perfect side dish for lots of recipes. You could eat it with seitan, vegan meatloaf and tofu stir fry or use it as a salad ingredient. It would taste great on dishes like quinoa salad or cauliflower steaks as well.
Looking for more side dish recipes?
Did you make this sauerkraut recipe?
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How to make sauerkraut
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage, 3.3 pounds or 1.5 kilos
- 1.5 tablespoon salt, I usually use sea or Himalayan pink salt, but any salt will do
Instructions
- Cut the cabbage into quarters and slice it into thin strips.
- Combine the cabbage and salt in a large mixing bowl. Let it stand for 10 minutes.
- Massage and squeeze the cabbage and salt together with your hands, kneading it thoroughly to break up the cellular structure of the shredded cabbage. It will become watery and limp and will also release its juice. This will take 5 or 10 minutes or until the cabbage reduces its volume by half.
- Pack the cabbage into the jar as tightly as you can, pressing with your fist or a spoon, and add the liquid it released. If the cabbage isn’t completely submerged in it, you can make some brine dissolving 1.5 teaspoons of sea salt in one cup of water (250 ml) and add enough to completely cover the cabbage.
- Close the jar and set aside at room temperature out of direct sunlight for about 4 weeks. Then transfer it into the fridge.
- Serve it as a side dish with recipes like seitan, vegan meatloaf, tofu stir fry, or cauliflower steaks. It would also work great as a salad ingredient on quinoa salad or any other kind of salad.
- Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge or the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
- Feel free to use any other type of cabbage.
- Some people use different spices and ingredients to give the sauerkraut more flavor.
- Remember to sterilize the jar you will be using by boiling it before you make this recipe. You could also divide it into smaller jars if you don't have a large one.
- I'd recommend you use a Fido jar because they keep the oxygen out. If you don't, you should add a layer of olive oil at the top of the ferment, or place something heavy over the cabbage to help hold it under the brine.
- I usually use sea salt for this recipe.
- It's very important that you completely submerge the cabbage, otherwise, the sauerkraut will get spoiled. Feel free to add something on top of the cabbage so it doesn't float.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in October of 2015, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions and tips in June of 2020.
Pat Holm says
It seems very salty. Should we rinse off the salt/
Iosune Robles says
Hi Pat! Don't worry, it is not necessary!
Maggiori says
Gracias
Iosune Robles says
A ti!
Roger says
Nice and crunchy......Don't think you should cook with it though as it will kill all those lovely bugs.
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your comment Roger 🙂 Have a nice day!
eg says
i need it now, taking antibiotics, very senssystem. any store bought aids?
Iosune Robles says
Hi, you can buy Sauerkraut at a shop while you do yours or you can buy probiotics. You can find them on Amazon. Have a nice day 🙂
Jacqueline O'Neill says
Excellent recipe easy and delicious thank you
Iosune says
Hi Jacqueline! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Lily bell says
Recipe states cut cabbage and add liquid but I can’t find what liquid, how Much, how long. I’m I missing something? Sounds delicious & vegan & yeast free! Thnx
Iosune says
Hi Lily! The liquid you get after massaging the cabbage 🙂
maria alvaro says
Do you ever cook the sauerkraut, let me know
Iosune says
Hi Maria! Yes, and it's also delicious 🙂
kathy p says
Hello, can I add more cabbage to sauerkraut that is already fermenting?
Iosune says
Hi Kathy! I've never tried it myself, so I'm not sure... Sorry!
Sigrid says
Happy to find this recipe. I grew up with homemade Sauerkraut. But my Mothercare hasn't Made it for Manu years. Both of us are all excited about trying it again! (My parental grew up in Northern Germany until 2nd WW).
Iosune says
Hi Sigrid! I'm so happy for you 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
Lori says
Why does your recipe not use vinegar
Iosune says
Hi Lori! Traditional sauerkraut is not made with vinegar 🙂
Lori says
How long will this keep in refrigerator
Iosune says
Hi Lori! Weeks or even months 🙂
Dave says
Easiest way I've found to seal the jars is with a plastic bag. Size it to fit your jar and fill with water, after inserting into a 3/4 filled jar. It keeps the kraut below the liquid, preventing mold, and gases escape around the sides. I always put the jars in a tray to catch overflows too.
Iosune says
Hi Dave! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Melissa Pentland says
Do you need to open the jar to release air? I noticed all the other recipes recommended this after 24 hrs. Thanks!
Iosune says
Hi Melissa! No, you don't 🙂 Just leave some free space inside the jar. Have a nice day!
Debbie Johnson says
I started this last night. Can you freeze sauerkraut and still get the probiotic benefit from it???
Iosune says
Hi Debbie! I don't think so, but I'm not sure...
Sam says
Never thought to make my own sauerkraut before, It was so easy with this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Iosune says
Hi Sam! You're so welcome 🙂 Hope you enjoyed it!
Sam says
Your pictures really helped me follow along with the recipe, I'm very excited to see how it turns out in a few weeks!
Iosune says
Hi Sam! So glad you found our pictures useful 🙂 Hope you enjoy the sauerkraut!
Athena Garcia says
Easy, straightforward. Works. Anyone can make Krout! This is a good basic sound starting point recipe.
Iosune says
Hi Athena! Thanks a lot 🙂 I'm so glad you liked it!
David Lawson says
Have a five gallon jar foaming and bubbling in the kitchen now. This is unbelievably easy and I can't wait to taste it.
Iosune says
Hi David! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Amy says
Can't wait to try this. What size Fido jar do you use?
Iosune says
Hi Amy! I use a 60 oz/ 1.8 l Fido jar 😉 https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70227986/
Avi Strauss says
Thanks for the sauerkraut. I know just what to add it to. My recommendation would be a the Italian flavored Field Roast sausage which you can pick up at Wholefoods.
Iosune says
Hi Avi! We're vegans, so we don't eat animals 🙂
Christine says
Hello
This looks good will try with purple cabbage as that's what's in my fridge. Need gloves as it most likely will stain my hands.
Also just to let you know that field roast is s vegan meat and cheese brand. I think the meat has gluten though.
Iosune says
Hi Christine! I hope you like it 🙂 Thanks a lot for the info 😉
Marilyn says
Field roast is vegan.
Iosune says
Hi Marilyn! Oh great, I though they were non-vegan sausages 😛
CJ says
I'm pretty positive field roast IS vegan. But I could be mistaken.
Iosune says
Hi CJ! I'm from Spain, so I didn't know it's vegan. Have a nice day!
JoAnn M Lakes says
Field roast sausages are vegan
Iosune says
Hi Joann! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Jesse Riva-cambrin says
field roast a vegan brand
Iosune says
Hi Jesse! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Stef says
Thanks for this recipe, can't wait to try it. I never knew about keeping the oxygen out, tried to make this earlier this year and failed so will go and buy one of those jars.
Iosune says
Hi Stef! I hope this recipe works for you! 😉