18 Unique Recipes That Use Sauerkraut (2024)

By Andrea Vaughan | Updated on June 10, 2020

Have sauerkraut and wondering how to use it? Here are 18 recipes that use sauerkraut!

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In my mid-20s, I became a huge fan of sauerkraut. I love the crunchy and tangy flavor! When I learned the multiple benefits of eating sauerkraut, I started eating it more regularly!

I was in a bit of a sauerkraut rut though, because outside of Reuben sandwiches, I couldn’t figure out what dishes I could use sauerkraut in.

So, I reached out to a few friends and asked them to give me their best recipes that use sauerkraut. And they didn’t disappoint!

Here are 18 dishes you can make with sauerkraut.

Table of Contents

Recipes that Use Sauerkraut
- Beer and Sauerkraut Cupcakes – Ann’s Entitled Life
- Reuben Casserole – Spend with Pennies
- Pork and Sauerkraut Bake – Spend with Pennies
- Sauerkraut and Sriracha Pizza – Homemade for Elle
- My Favorite Reuben Sandwich – Spend with Pennies
- Hot Reuben Cheese Dip – Plating Pixels
- Easy Spicy Golden Sauerkraut – Moon and Spoon and Yum
- Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe – Savoring the Good
- Easy Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe – Sidewalk Shoes
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Sauerkraut and Tomatoes – Chicken Scratch NY
- Instant Pot Reuben Sandwiches – Stef’s Eats and Sweets
- Crock Pot Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe – Midlife Healthy Living
- Sauerkraut Salad – Simply Stacie
- Make Your Own Probiotics – Whole New Mom
- Herb Buttered Whole Chicken Stuffed with Sauerkraut – Peace, Love and Low Carb
- Reuben Stuffed Mushrooms – Peace, Love and Low Carb
- Reuben Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Russian Dressing – Peace, Love and Low Carb
- Related posts:

Recipes that Use Sauerkraut

Beer and Sauerkraut Cupcakes – Ann’s Entitled Life

You definitely wouldn’t think of sauerkraut as an ingredient in cupcakes, right? But with the sweet flavors and stout beer in this recipe, it works together remarkably well!

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Reuben Casserole – Spend with Pennies

This Reuben casserole features tender pasta, corned beef, and sauerkraut smothered in a swiss cheese sauce. Yum!

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Pork and Sauerkraut Bake – Spend with Pennies

Pork pairs remarkably well with sauerkraut, and when you throw in tender potatoes it’s a dish that the whole family will love.

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Sauerkraut and Sriracha Pizza – Homemade for Elle

If you’ve never had sauerkraut on a pizza, you’re missing out! This one features sirloin steak, roasted peppers, and a generous drizzle of spicy sriracha.

Sauerkraut Chickpea Flour Ravioli + Spiced Applesauce – Strength & Sunshine

These beautiful homemade raviolis are made with chickpea flour (gluten-free) and filled with sauerkraut and smothered with a spiced applesauce.

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My Favorite Reuben Sandwich – Spend with Pennies

A classic favorite – the Reuben sandwich is not to be underestimated. Made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and a homemade thousand island dressing.

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Hot Reuben Cheese Dip – Plating Pixels

I don’t know about you, but this is what I am bringing to the next work potluck! Hot Reuben Cheese Dip. Paired with rye bread for dipping. Umm, delicious.

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Easy Spicy Golden Sauerkraut – Moon and Spoon and Yum

What makes this homemade sauerkraut recipe different from others is it’s use of turmeric, red chile flakes, and black peppercorns. It’s vegan, gluten-free and so good for the gut.

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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe – Savoring the Good

Also known as Halupki, these cabbage rolls are easy to make and the ultimate old country comfort food.

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Easy Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe – Sidewalk Shoes

I’ve always wanted to learn how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar, and this tutorial walks you through just how easy it is!

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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Sauerkraut and Tomatoes – Chicken Scratch NY

This super simple recipe is made with onions, coconut oil, stewing beef, sauerkraut, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth.

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Instant Pot Reuben Sandwiches – Stef’s Eats and Sweets

What’s better than Reuben Sandwiches? Instant Pot Reuben Sandwiches, of course. In under two hours, these can be on your dinner table.

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Crock Pot Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe – Midlife Healthy Living

This delicious combination is made with pork loin, sauerkraut, beer, apple butter, brown sugar, and onions.

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Sauerkraut Salad – Simply Stacie

Tangy, sweet, and delicious – this sauerkraut salad is made with crisp vegetables, sauerkraut, and a sweet dressing.

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Make Your Own Probiotics – Whole New Mom

We’ve all heard about how great probiotics are for our health and immune system, and homemade sauerkraut is full of natural probiotics. Learn how to make it:

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Herb Buttered Whole Chicken Stuffed with Sauerkraut – Peace, Love and Low Carb

This Paleo recipe features a beautifully roasted whole chicken stuffed with sauerkraut and a butter herbed mixture.

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Reuben Stuffed Mushrooms – Peace, Love and Low Carb

A fun play on the Reuben sandwich, but with mushrooms!

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Reuben Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Russian Dressing – Peace, Love and Low Carb

A low-carb and healthier take on the Reuben sandwiches featured on a sweet potato. It even features an easy homemade Russian dressing.

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Homemade Chocolate FrostingVegetarian Weekly Meal PlanEasy White Cake RecipeBaking with Avocado: Cranberry Orange Muffins (AIP, Paleo)

FAQs

Regularly consuming probiotic foods like sauerkraut may reduce your risk of developing infections like the common cold and urinary tract infections . It may also help you recover faster . Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamin C and iron, both of which contribute to a healthy immune system.

Improve Digestion

For people with diarrhea, fiber can absorb excess water and solidify their stool. However, it's not just sauerkraut's fiber content that makes this food so good for digestion. Sauerkraut is also packed with probiotics that can improve your overall gut health.

One important issue to remember is that cooking sauerkraut will kill off the probiotic bacteria that we want to consume. Even after cooking, sauerkraut is a healthy, cabbage-based dish, but it will be missing out on that probiotic boost. So, when possible, try to add your sauerkraut to your dishes uncooked.

Raw sauerkraut can be enjoyed as is, by the forkful. Just take the jar out of the fridge, grab a fork, and enjoy the health benefits! Eat a forkful once or twice a day straight from the jar.

To take advantage of the health and probiotic benefits of sauerkraut (that are lost when cooked in a dish), it's recommended to consume it raw. Add sauerkraut to a Reuben sandwich, mix it into tuna, egg, chicken, or potato salad, or eat it straight from the jar.

Sauerkraut is a fermented dish best consumed in the morning at about one tablespoon to 10 grams per day.

Sauerkraut is not just a tasty condiment; it can be a valuable ally in the battle against constipation. Its fiber content, probiotics, and digestive benefits can help promote regular bowel movements and overall gut health.

Sauerkraut that's gone bad might feel different. It might turn slimy or be too soft. If it's not firm and crisp like it should be, it may not be safe to eat.

Sauerkraut from fermentation is a common and traditional form of preserving cabbage. Beware, though, that sauerkraut side effects, such as bloating, gas and digestive discomfort, are common, especially in those who are not used to fermented foods.

There's no wrong way to serve it. Sauerkraut is one of those super versatile ingredients that can take any meal from average to wow-worthy!

It's not necessary to rinse, unless you prefer it that way

Yet, while many agree that this extra step should be avoided, there are exceptions. According to Everyday Health, store-bought sauerkraut is often saltier than homemade versions, making it more than acceptable to dilute the product with water.

But soon after opening, you will find that this sauerkraut can easily dry up if not used within a short amount of time after opening it. If you are refrigerating your sauerkraut, it should stay fresh for about four to six months after opening.

Sauerkraut commonly comes packaged in a brine – usually the same liquid it was fermented in. There are many ways to use this juice, believe it or not, you can even just drink the liquid straight like a tonic!

Depending on your taste, onions, bacon, juniper berries, caraway, and/or cream can be added to and cooked with the Sauerkraut. In many parts of Germany, pork ribs or pork cutlets are cooked in the Sauerkraut to give it a smokey flavor. The pork absorbs the liquid and becomes very soft and juicy.