How to Make Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut might just be one of my top 10 favorite foods. I know—that’s pretty weird, right? Aaron doesn’t get it at all. To him, sauerkraut = stinky feet (and he’s not totally wrong here). Even as a little kid, I was loading up my hot dogs with as much fermented cabbage as the bun would hold because the hot dog was really just a vehicle for sauerkraut. Today, I eat my sauerkraut on veggie burgers, salads, sandwiches, grain bowls, and of course, straight out of the jar.
I’ve been making my own sauerkraut for the last four or so years and during this time my obsession has only grown stronger. Homemade sauerkraut is super easy, requires only two ingredients (cabbage + sea salt), and you can customize it with different types of add-ins (think: minced ginger, shredded carrots, caraway seeds, etc.). I almost always use red cabbage because it creates such a gorgeous color.
In addition to its potent flavor, I especially love the health benefits. Sauerkraut is an excellent source of probiotics (the good bacteria that keep our digestive tracts happy), and it’s also rich in vitamin C, fiber, manganese, B6, and folate. Unfortunately, a lot of the sauerkraut that’s available at our grocery stores has been pasteurized, which means that all of that good bacteria has been killed—yet another good reason to make it ourselves!
If you’re interested in making your own, here’s the basic process (or scroll down for a more detailed recipe):
- thinly slice your cabbage
- massage your cabbage with a generous coating of sea salt for about 10-15 minutes (a nice little arm/hand workout) to help break it down and release the cabbage juices
- pack it all into a mason jar
- let it ferment in a dark cabinet for 3-7 days at room temperature
- enjoy! (and store it in the fridge—the flavor and nutrition gets even better with time)
Homemade sauerkraut is really difficult to mess up, but there are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind:
- The process of fermentation produces carbonation and pressure. Make sure you leave about 2 inches at the top of your mason jar between the cabbage and the lid to account for this or your jar will leak bright purple cabbage juice everywhere. (I’m speaking from personal experience on this one!)
- Don’t skimp on the salt—it acts as a preservative. If you see any signs of mold, toss your cabbage, sanitize your mason jar, and start over. Bubbles are good (that’s the natural carbonation happening), anything fuzzy is not.
Ready to make sauerkraut? Let’s do this!
How to Make Sauerkraut
How to Make Sauerkraut
Serves: about 32 ounces
Prep Time: 72 hours
A fool-proof, step-by-step guide to making healthy and delicious sauerkraut at home. It only takes 2 ingredients and a few days to ferment!
Cuisine: Gluten Free, Vegan Servings: about 32 ounces
Prep Time: 72 hours
A fool-proof, step-by-step guide to making healthy and delicious sauerkraut at home. It only takes 2 ingredients and a few days to ferment!
Instructions
- Remove the outermost leaves from the cabbage and set them aside. Cut the cabbage into quarters, remove the core, and slice each quarter into thin shreds.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the cabbage with the salt, then massage with your hands for 10-15 minutes to help break it down and release the cabbage juice.
- Place the massaged cabbage into a 32 ounce wide mouth mason jar. Pack it down until the liquid covers the cabbage, leaving about 2 inches of space at the top. If you don't have enough liquid, add a little filtered water.
- Take the cabbage leaves you set aside and carefully place one or two inside the jar to seal the shredded cabbage and liquid underneath. Firmly close the lid on the jar.
- Store the jar at room temperature for 3-7 days, tasting the sauerkraut along the way. Once it reaches your desired flavor, transfer it to your fridge. Enjoy it right away, or let it continue to slowly ferment for up to 2 months. The flavor gets better and more pronounced over time.
Notes [2]
Feel free to use red or green cabbage. Choose organic if possible.
A warmer temperature will mean a faster fermentation. In the summer, I find about 3 days at room temperature to be ideal. During the cooler months, 7 days usually works well. You can ferment your cabbage for as long as 21 days at room temperature; however, most of the good bacteria develops within 3 days (so it’s more a matter of flavor preference).
Copyright © 2022 Amanda Maguire for Pickles & Honey
I love that color of that red cabbage, and that towel – makes for such pretty photos!
Thank you, Caitlin!
This is awesome! Who would have though?
Thanks, Victor!
I’m making my first batch as I type this. 🙂 Thank you for the detailed recipe instructions!
That’s awesome! Please report back on how your sauerkraut turns out. 🙂
I’m going to try making this with a head of green cabbage that’s been sitting in my produce drawer for I don’t even want to say how long. lol The purple is beautiful though…I’ll have to try that next. 🙂
haha I have the same “problem” with cabbage. It inevitably gets pushed to the back of my produce drawer…except when I make sauerkraut.
I cringe every time I pay $10 at WFM for the real deal sauerkraut. This is a GREAT alternative and I’m guessing it costs under $3 for a boat load, woo hoo!
I know, the good sauerkraut is something like $8 near me–crazy!
Your pictures look great! I love the way the red cabbage turns out once it is done fermenting. The bright purple is a great addition to spice up the color of a dish. Thank you for sharing this article, can’t wait to make my own sauerkraut at home.
Thank you! P.S. I love Bubbies pickles. 🙂
Do you ever process this so you can store on a shelf?
Hi Mary, I haven’t tried to make shelf-stable sauerkraut. I always refrigerate it and consume it fairly quickly. 🙂
Thanks for getting back to me. I grow a LOT of cabbage and was hoping for a solution to the many jars. I’ll keep looking. Mary