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4.2 from 69 votes

Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe

Homemade sauerkraut is full of probiotics, delicious, and supremely easy to make if you follow our fool-proof tutorial and recipe!

Prep Time
30 mins
Additional Time:
14 d
Total Time
14 d 30 mins
Servings: 16 servings (makes approx. 1 quart)
Calories: 9 kcal
Cuisine: German , Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ pound shredded red or green cabbage about 1 small head worth
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and shredded (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt heaping if using the carrots and garlic
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds optional
  • Wide mouth quart mason jar
  • Fermenting lid for wide mouth jar optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, and garlic (if using). Sprinkle on the sea salt. 
  2. Using clean hands, massage the vegetables for 2-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are shiny and soft, and there is a decent amount of liquid in the bottom of the bowl. When you pick up a handful of the mixture, liquid should stream out. Alternatively, massage the salt with the vegetables for two minutes, then let the mixture rest for 20-30 minutes, then come back to massage for an additional minute or two. 
  3. Working one handful at a time, pack the sauerkraut into the mason jar, using your fist to tamp the cabbage in tightly. Continue to do this until the jar is 75-85% full. There should be quite a bit of liquid by the time the jar is filled.
  4. Top off the jar with additional brine from the massaging bowl. Then submerge the cabbage in the brine by following one of the methods listed in the post. 
  5. Close the jar, either with an airlock lid or a regular lid, and set in a room temperature (65-70°F) spot out of direct sunlight to ferment. If using a regular jar, “burp” the jar each day by just sightly unscrewing the lid. 
  6. Check the sauerkraut for flavor starting on day four and taste every day or two until it achieves the texture and tang you prefer—anywhere from 4-30 days. 
  7. Store the sauerkraut in a jar in the fridge for up to six months.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 9kcal (0%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Sodium 402mg (17%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16servings (makes approx. 1 quart)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 9

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 9kcal 0%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Sodium 402mg 17%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.