Often a condiment or a side, sauerkraut is that funky fermented jar you toss on your hot dogs. It’s tangy, crunchy, and full of probiotics. What’s more remarkable is how many things you can add it to when you think outside of the box. I’m talking casseroles, soups, and even desserts! From breakfast to dessert, there’s a kraut recipe here for every meal of the day.
1. Sauerkraut Soup
Kapustnyak is a sauerkraut soup that is popular throughout Ukraine. Sauerkraut is undoubtedly the star of this event. But there’s also a good amount of humble veggies, white beans, and bacon in there too. Before you toss in the kraut, be sure to give it a good rinse. This will help get rid of some of the extra saltiness.
2. Sauerkraut Casserole
Feeding hungry bellies a filling, affordable meal isn’t always easy. That’s why I turn to casserole recipes like this hearty dish. It’s packed with ground beef, wide egg noodles, and sauerkraut. It’s a bit tangy, savory, and cheesy, so it’s an all-around winner. If you foresee a busy weekday ahead, you can prep this the night before. That way, all you have to do is plop it in the oven.
3. German Meatballs with Sauerkraut
German meatballs with sauerkraut is a gratifying dish for a chilly day. The sauerkraut stews in tomato paste with the meatballs for a deeper flavor. Right at the end, it gets a touch of cream. For this dish, German sauerkraut is a must. It has the right balance of sweet and sour to go with the meatballs.
4. Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
Brats and sauerkraut is a German classic that doesn’t disappoint. This one is extra special because this perfect duo simmers in a saute of onion and apple. Crack a cold one and grab a side of dijon. Dinner will be ready momentarily.
5. Reuben Sandwich
A Reuben without kraut is blasphemous if you ask me. If you feel the same, you’ll agree this is the proper way to make this classic. Some corned beef, a slice of swiss cheese, and a handful of sauerkraut stuffed between rye bread make the quintessential Reuben. Oh, and don’t forget the creamy homemade Russian dressing!
6. Reuben Meatballs
Speaking of Reubens, you can turn your favorite sandwich into a feast with this cozy casserole. It has your typical Reuben fixings like Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. The twist is that the corned beef gets turned into juicy meatballs. Serve this with some slices of rye bread and everyone will want to dig in.
7. 10-Minute Sausage and Sauerkraut Skillet
Who doesn’t love a tasty and savory 10-minute recipe? This two-ingredient recipe is a quick fix for when hunger strikes. The key is to use quality Kielbasa and sauerkraut. If you need some more oomph, you can serve this with pickles and some sour cream. It’s an easy dinner, fast snack, or simple camping meal.
8. Vegan Cabbage Rolls with Sauerkraut
This vegan take on a Romanian classic is genius. Rather than stuff cabbage with meat, you pack it with savory potato and rice filling. What’s even better is that you wrap it all up with fermented cabbage leaves! This will take some time and patience. But it’s a fun meal for the kids to help with on a chilly day.
9. Sauerkraut Stew
If winter weather has you craving a warming meaty bowl, throw on a pot of this Polish stew. It’s packed with a savory trifecta of pork, sausage, and bacon. Tomatoes give it a deeper flavor and sauerkraut is the perfect touch! Let all that goodness stew for a bit, then ladle yourself a big bowl.
10. Potato and Sauerkraut Latkes
Sauerkraut is the secret to adding more flavor to latkes. But instead of piling a heaping on top, you add it to the shredded potatoes and fry them up. These latkes are so scrumptious that they don’t even need a topping. But if you do want to add some latkes toppings, sour cream or applesauce is the more traditional route.
11. Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake
I know what you’re thinking, but sauerkraut and chocolate are not as bad as you imagine. In fact, it’s remarkably amazing! This cake is super fudgy and chocolatey as you would expect. However, the kraut adds a delightful sour and salty element that balances out the sweetness. Serve up a slice to your friends and see if they can guess the secret ingredient. They won’t even be able to tell!
12. Best Ever Pork Roast with Sauerkraut
There’s something about a juicy pork roast that always satisfies my need for comfort food. And this is one of the best! The pork roast is simply seasoned, while the sauerkraut adds a kick. It’s sauteed with onions and apples so it’s sweet, sour, and oozing with flavor.
13. Reuben Casserole
Here is another exceptional way to turn a Reuben into a home-style casserole. Thick cubes of rye bread get layered with corned beef, melty cheese, Thousand Island dressing, and sauerkraut. This five-ingredient dish is very easy to make and one the whole family will agree on.
14. Sauerkraut Pizza
Love sausage and sauerkraut? Throw it on a pizza! When it comes to homemade pizza recipes, you can top it with anything you want. This one calls for Bavarian sauerkraut, which is a bit more mild and sweet. So it’s not as jarring as you may think.
15. Hot German Potato Salad
Move over creamy potato salads, this hot dish has come to town! It’s savory, vinegary, and full of bacon. Since it’s tangy and not creamy, sauerkraut goes particularly well. Use any kind you like and pile that goodness on until your heart’s content. This one is a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to bring to barbecues, potlucks, and more.
16. Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
Sometimes, the only condiment your hot dog needs is sauerkraut. No mustard, no ketchup, just good old-fashioned sauerkraut. And this is the quickest way to go about it. Simply toss everything in a pan and cook until the kraut starts to brown. You can throw it on a bun or serve it up in a skillet. Either way, it’s fast, easy, and downright affordable.
17. Sauerkraut Strudel
Did you know that strudels can also be savory? Skip the sweet fillings, because you’ll want to try this German strudel. On the outside, you have a gorgeous flaky puff pastry. On the inside is an incredibly satiating filling of bacon and sauerkraut in a breaded egg mixture. Serve this up with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy!
18. Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut and corned beef are a flawless combination. Add a slow cooker to the mix for an easy dinner. In honor of this Irish duo, everything simmers in a bottle of beer. For more depth, go with a stout like Guinness. A light lager also works well. This meal is perfect for a St. Patty’s feast. It’s also great for when you have a busy day and want dinner ready when you get home.
19. Sauerkraut Salad
Looking for a cabbage salad with some crunch? Here’s one I highly recommend. It’s overflowing with crunchy veggies like carrots, celery, and bell pepper. It’s also packed to the brim with sauerkraut. Coat everything in a zippy apple cider vinegar dressing, and this salad touches on more flavors than you can imagine.
20. Chicken and Red Cabbage Sauerkraut Tacos
Do you love cabbage in your tacos? Take it up a notch and make them with kraut. These tacos feature tender chicken and red cabbage sauerkraut in a creamy chipotle sauce. It’s protein-rich as well as full of vitamins and probiotics. If you do want some extra taco toppings, you can’t go wrong with salsa and guac.
21. Pork and Sauerkraut Bake
Have a hankering for meat and potatoes? Throw this bake in the oven. It’s the perfect combination of savory, sweet, and sour. The prep time is minimal, but it will take a couple of hours to bake. So while you’re waiting, you can catch up on work or relax with the family.
22. Hot Reuben Dip
So I know I mentioned quite a few ways to do a Reuben. But this one is perfect for parties or game days. It’s the right balance of cheesy, savory, creamy, and tangy. And you can make it ahead of time! I think rye crisps are a must, but bust out any crackers you’ve got on hand.
23. Polish Sauerkraut Bread
I love bread any way you serve it and that includes this Polish delicacy. Sauerkraut gives the bread a nice texture and slightly salty taste. It’s more mellow than sourdough, but delicious, nonetheless. The caraway seeds add a hint of nuttiness that I think is a must.
24. Slovak Christmas Eve Mushroom Soup
I admit this soup may not look the prettiest. But I assure you that your tastebuds will love it. This Slovak Christmas Eve tradition is a wholesome soup that’s modest and minimal. It calls for only six ingredients, which include a ton of sauerkraut and mushrooms. If you want to make this vegan, you can easily swap out a non-dairy substitute for the butter.
25. Polish Sauerkraut Pierogi
I go crazy for dumplings, including these scrumptious Polish dumplings. The Polish are masters of creating heavenly pillows of stuffed goodness and what better way to showcase that than by stuffing it with kraut. This is another Christmas tradition that you won’t want to miss!
26. German Sauerkraut Beef Goulash
Beef goulash is a traditional Hungarian stew that’s full of meat and veggies. This German version is similar, except thicker and overflowing with kraut. It’s a fantastic winter warmer with a rich, complex broth infused with red wine. Pour yourself a glass while you’re at it. It will take a while for all the flavors to meld. You might as well kick back and enjoy the smell.
27. Sauerkraut Frittata
I love frittatas because they have endless variations. Take this sauerkraut frittata for instance. I never would have thought to add kraut to a frittata until I tried this. Sauerkraut is that extra little something to add a nice flavor. There are only a few ingredients, too, making this dish even easier.
28. Corned Beef and Sauerkraut Quiche
Quiche is like the fancier version of frittata. This means it’s great for special occasions and holidays. And you know what goes great with St. Paddy’s Day? This Irish-style quiche! The creamy egg mixture gets a punch of horseradish and sauerkraut. There’s also some corned beef and nutty gruyere to make it more savory. It all gets served up in a buttery pie crust!
29. Dijon Shrimp Over Sauerkraut
Corned beef and sauerkraut are an obvious combination. But kraut tastes good with shrimp, too. If you’ve been on the hunt for a keto cabbage recipe, I highly recommend this one. It’s a succulent and tangy creation that only takes 20 minutes. And you won’t have to cheat on your diet to enjoy it.
30. Grandma’s Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Somewhere out there is a grandma who worked hard to perfect this recipe. This is the epitome of cozy comfort food. It features smoky kielbasa on a bed of jarred sauerkraut. It’s very satisfying and doesn’t take a ton of prep work. Plus, you won’t have to break the bank. Click on a star to rate it!
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