Today I want to show you how to make sauerkraut, which is finely cut cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. This fermented food is high in vitamin C and a natural source of healthy probiotics (good bacteria for our gut). I tried sauerkraut for the first time when I travelled to Germany when I was 16 and I loved it, although I’ve never made it at home.
Many store-bought sauerkrauts are pasteurized and are full of nasty additives and preservatives, so I prefer homemade sauerkraut because is more nutritious, healthier, so inexpensive and really easy to make.
I eat 1/4 or 1/2 cup sauerkraut every day (about 4 or 8 tablespoons) as a side or a salad ingredient and although it has a strong flavor, I love how it tastes! ?
TIPS:
- Feel free to use other types of cabbage. Some people also add other ingredients, but I’ve only tried this recipe.
- I recommend you to use a Fido jar because they keep out the oxygen. If you use another type of jars (like Mason jars) you should: add a layer of olive oil across the top of the ferment or place something heavy over the cabbage to help hold it under the brine.
- Try to avoid refined salt. I use sea salt.
How To Make Sauerkraut
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Category: Side dish
- Cuisine: German
How to make homemade sauerkraut. It’s high in vitamin C and probiotics (good bacteria for your gut).
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage (3.3 pounds or 1.5 kilos)
- 1.5 tbsp sea salt
Instructions
- You can see how I made the sauerkraut in the pictures above.
- Cut the cabbage into quarters and slice it into thin strips.
- Combine the cabbage and salt in a large mixing bowl. Let 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 also will release its juice. This will take 5 or 10 minutes or until the cabbage reduce in volume by half.
- Pack the cabbage into the jar as tightly as you can, pressing with your fist or a spoon. Pour the liquid. If the cabbage isn’t completely submerged by the liquid, you can make some brine dissolving 1.5 teaspoons of sea salt in one cup of water (250 ml) and add enough to submerge the cabbage.
- Close the jar and set aside in a room-temperature location, out of direct sunlight for about 4 weeks. Then transfer to the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/15 of the recipe
- Calories: 12
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 2.8g
- Fiber: 1.2g
- Protein: 0.6g
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Please leave a comment below or tag a picture #simpleveganblog. We’d love to see what you cook!
Hello, can I add more cabbage to sauerkraut that is already fermenting?
Hi Kathy! I’ve never tried it myself, so I’m not sure… Sorry!
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).
Hi Sigrid! I’m so happy for you 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
Why does your recipe not use vinegar
Hi Lori! Traditional sauerkraut is not made with vinegar 🙂
How long will this keep in refrigerator
Hi Lori! Weeks or even months 🙂
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.
Hi Dave! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Do you need to open the jar to release air? I noticed all the other recipes recommended this after 24 hrs. Thanks!
Hi Melissa! No, you don’t 🙂 Just leave some free space inside the jar. Have a nice day!
I started this last night. Can you freeze sauerkraut and still get the probiotic benefit from it???
Hi Debbie! I don’t think so, but I’m not sure…
Never thought to make my own sauerkraut before, It was so easy with this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sam! You’re so welcome 🙂 Hope you enjoyed it!
Your pictures really helped me follow along with the recipe, I’m very excited to see how it turns out in a few weeks!
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Hi Sam! So glad you found our pictures useful 🙂 Hope you enjoy the sauerkraut!
Easy, straightforward. Works. Anyone can make Krout! This is a good basic sound starting point recipe.
Hi Athena! Thanks a lot 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it!
Have a five gallon jar foaming and bubbling in the kitchen now. This is unbelievably easy and I can’t wait to taste it.
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Hi David! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Can’t wait to try this. What size Fido jar do you use?
Hi Amy! I use a 60 oz/ 1.8 l Fido jar 😉 https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70227986/
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.
Hi Avi! We’re vegans, so we don’t eat animals 🙂
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.
Hi Christine! I hope you like it 🙂 Thanks a lot for the info 😉
Field roast is vegan.
Hi Marilyn! Oh great, I though they were non-vegan sausages 😛
I’m pretty positive field roast IS vegan. But I could be mistaken.
Hi CJ! I’m from Spain, so I didn’t know it’s vegan. Have a nice day!
Field roast sausages are vegan
Hi Joann! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
field roast a vegan brand
Hi Jesse! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
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.
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Hi Stef! I hope this recipe works for you! 😉