Recipe For Sauerkraut

This recipe for sauerkraut is ridiculously easy and an economical way to add healthy fermented foods to your daily diet. We’ve found it so indispensable in our home that I try to keep a jar or two in our refrigerator at all times.

Mind you, this isn’t the bland, all-white stuff you get from the store. This is vital, tasty, nutrient-laden sauerkraut that you’ll want to add to your plate every day. Sauerkraut that you buy at the store has been processed, and that process destroys most of the nutrients. 

People have been fermenting cabbage since the 4th century BC. It’s low in calories and is loaded with lactic acid as well as vitamins A, B, C and K. And that lactic acid is great for your health. Hippocrates described it as a medicinal remedy.

But don’t take too much of this superfood at one time, as too much of a good thing could cause diarrhea.

This sauerkraut recipe is a great way to build your immune system.

Is Sauerkraut Good For You?

What are the health benefits of sauerkraut? According to Natural News, making and enjoying this recipe for sauerkraut will supply you with cruciferous vegetables (cabbage), tons of healthy probiotics, phytonutrient antioxidants, and a nutritional arsenal to fight cancer. It’s simply the best health food around.

That’s why cabbage is an essential in your survival garden. If you have a root cellar or other place to keep it cool, you can store sauerkraut for at least six months. Plus, homemade sauerkraut will provide you with vitamins A and C, especially valuable in an emergency. This is a great way to avoid scurvy and other illnesses through a healthier diet.

Plus, when cabbage is pickled into sauerkraut, lactic acid bacteria is produced, which protects your digestive system from harmful parasites and yeasts that could lead to candida.

But you won’t get any of those marvelous benefits by consuming commercially made sauerkraut. The canned version usually loses those beneficial organisms by the time those jars reach the supermarket shelves. That’s why it’s so crucial to have this recipe for sauerkraut and make it at home.

What is Sauerkraut Made Of?

The ingredients couldn’t be simpler. You will need:
•    One large head of cabbage
•    One tablespoon of canning salt
•    Two quart-sized jars

And that’s it.

What is the Recipe for Sauerkraut?

Rinse your cabbage well and remove the outer leaves.  Cut away the core and then slice the cabbage into thin strips.  Place the thinly sliced cabbage in a large bowl and add one tablespoon of salt to the cabbage. The salt will draw the cabbage juice out of the leaves and improve the fermentation process.

How Do You Make Sauerkraut?

Use this fermentation kit with your recipe for sauerkraut

Knead the cabbage with your hands for five minutes or until the leaves wilt and you can see cabbage juice in the bottom of the bowl.  That juice is a sign that the cabbage has released sufficient juice for fermentation.

Tightly pack the kneaded cabbage into the two jars. Divide the juice from the bottom of your kneading bowl between the two jars.

You need to make certain the cabbage is submerged in the cabbage juice. Exposure to oxygen could cause the cabbage to dry out and mold. 

To keep that from happening, invest in a fermentation kit like the one pictured above. I use a kit like this all of the time, and I think it's well worth the investment. 

Cover the quart jars with a lid and band and leave them in a cupboard or other cool, dark space for anywhere from three days to a week.

As the cabbage begins fermenting, it starts to produce gas.  Since the last thing you want is an explosion of sauerkraut in your kitchen, open the jars for a few seconds every day to release any gas build up.  

You can keep the sauerkraut on your kitchen counter at room temperature for up to two weeks, but keep in mind that the longer you keep it at room temperature, the more your cabbage will ferment and the stronger the taste. If you like a mild sauerkraut, put it in the refrigerator after three days.  Keep it out a few days longer for a tangier sauerkraut.

How Long Does Sauerkraut Last?

If kept in the fridge, sauerkraut will last up to six months, but honesty, why wait that long? The traditional way to eat sauerkraut is with brats, but my husband and I enjoy adding to our salads or eating it as a side dish. It’s delicious topped with creamy Italian dressing.

About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

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