Can sauerkraut be frozen? - Everything you need to know

Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage dish to which many health benefits are attributed. Although sauerkraut as we know it is more associated with Polish or German cuisine, it is believed to have originated in China thousands of years ago. Sauerkraut has a relatively long shelf life, but you have the option of making it last even longer.

So can sauerkraut be frozen?

The short answer is yes. There are a number of factors to consider, including proper storage measures and the effect freezing has on the healthy bacteria in the sauerkraut. However, sauerkraut can be frozen, which will certainly extend its shelf life. 

Read on for everything you need to know about freezing sauerkraut. You’ll also find an overview of sauerkraut, recipe recommendations, and answers to the most common questions about sauerkraut and freezing.

What is sauerkraut?

What exactly is sauerkraut? As we have said, it has its origins in ancient China and is believed to have been invented 2,000 years ago, when the Chinese first fermented cabbage into rice wine.

Today it is popular in various international cuisines.

Germans eat it with pork or bratwurst, in Poland it’s paired with kielbasa sausage, and it traditionally accompanies Irish corned beef Reuben sandwiches.

How sauerkraut is made

Sauerkraut is made from a pickling process called lactic acid fermentation . The cabbage is shredded, covered in salt and left to ferment.

As it sets, various strains of healthy bacteria grow, including L. mesenteroides and L. plantarum. These bacteria take about three weeks to fully develop.

While the sauerkraut is fermenting, it should stay between 65 and 72 degrees F.

homemade sauerkraut

Believe it or not, sauerkraut is relatively easy to make at home. You only need a jar, a small weight, a clean cloth, cabbage, salt and a few weeks!

Follow these easy steps to make homemade sauerkraut: 

1. Make sure that everything (the knife, the cutting board, the jar, even your hands!) is well disinfected and sterilized. If you don’t, bad bacteria could contaminate your sauerkraut, risking spoilage.
2. You want your cabbage to be as fresh as possible, so bacteria can thrive. Stir the few outer layers and cut the rest of the cabbage into thin strips.
3. Put it in a large bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons of salt to the cabbage. With clean hands, massage the cabbage for 5-10 minutes, until it is watery and soft and no more liquid can be squeezed out.
4. Place in a jar, making sure all the cabbage is covered with liquid, and place a weight (either a large stone or a smaller jar filled with sand) on top. Cover the jar by placing a clean cotton cloth or kitchen towel on top, and secure the cloth with a rubber band.
5. For the first 24 hours, press the weight down every few hours. If the cabbage on top of the jar isn’t covered in liquid, feel free to add a bit of salt water to fully submerge it.
6. Place it in a cool, dark place (ideally between 65 and 72 degrees F) for anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks. The longer you let the sauerkraut ferment, the tastier and more complex it will be, thanks to the growth of healthy bacteria.
7. Once the sauerkraut has reached its peak of fermentation, cover it with a lid and store it in the fridge (or freezer; read on to find out how).

Use of sauerkraut

As we have said, sauerkraut is a common condiment in a wide variety of cuisines. It goes great on sandwiches or served with meat, such as pork and sausage. Additionally, it can be cooked in soups and stews, such as Eastern European borscht or creamy potato stew. Use it in place of the seasoning on hot dogs or even mix it into a salad.

How to freeze sauerkraut

Fresh sauerkraut, while it can also be stored on the counter for short periods of time, is usually kept in the fridge.

If stored correctly, sauerkraut can last up to 6 months in the fridge. However, you should always check the freshness of the sauerkraut (color, smell and taste) before serving it.

To freeze the sauerkraut, transfer it (assuming it’s in a mason jar) to a plastic bag or freezer-safe plastic container.

Always leave a few inches of space at the top, as the liquid in the sauerkraut will expand as it freezes. Remove as much air as possible and seal well.

If stored correctly, frozen sauerkraut will last much longer than refrigerated, so freezing is the best option for long-term storage. Well-frozen sauerkraut can last up to 8-12 months.

You also have the option of freezing small portions of sauerkraut in an ice cube tray. To use this method, freeze scoops of sauerkraut in an ice cube tray and, once hardened, transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag or plastic container for storage.

This method is a great option if you know that you will only be using small portions of sauerkraut at a time.

How to thaw frozen sauerkraut

Once you’re ready to eat your frozen sauerkraut, you have a couple of options when it comes to thawing it.

First of all, you can thaw the sauerkraut in the fridge . You should use the sauerkraut within 3-5 days of moving it from the freezer to the fridge.

You will need to use the thawed sauerkraut immediately when using the following methods: Countertop and Microwave:

• To thaw sauerkraut on the counter , let it sit at room temperature for a few hours and use immediately after it’s fully thawed.
• When thawing sauerkraut in the microwave , heat it on high power in small time increments (10-20 seconds) until fully thawed. Again, you should use the sauerkraut immediately after thawing it in the microwave.
• Lastly, if you plan to use the sauerkraut in a cooked dish , such as a stew or stew with pork, you can simply add the frozen sauerkraut with the rest of the ingredients. Keep in mind that adding a frozen ingredient like frozen sauerkraut will extend the cooking time of the dish.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Freezing Sauerkraut

Freezing sauerkraut has advantages and disadvantages.

As for the pros, freezing sauerkraut extends its shelf life , which is very helpful if you have a very large batch that you won’t be able to eat in a short time.

On the other hand, freezing sauerkraut can kill off some of the healthy bacteria that so many people value.

Although some probiotics may be killed by freezing the sauerkraut, some of the bacteria may simply lie dormant at low temperatures, reactivating again upon reaching a higher temperature.

If you consume sauerkraut because you value its high concentration of probiotics, it is best to consume it refrigerated or at room temperature. However, you should be able to enjoy at least some of the good bacteria benefits in sauerkraut if you freeze it and then thaw it.

Related questions

We’ve taken the liberty of trying to guess what you might ask next. We hope you find something that answers your remaining questions about freezing sauerkraut.

Can sauerkraut be frozen after it has been cooked?

Perhaps you have already cooked sauerkraut with pork or in a stew and want to freeze it. There is no problem freezing already cooked sauerkraut , and you can reheat it with whatever ingredients it was cooked with in the first place.

However, cooking and then freezing sauerkraut will almost certainly kill all of its probiotics.

These bacteria cannot withstand high cooking temperatures, and freezing sauerkraut in addition to cooking it will most likely diminish, if not destroy, all of its probiotic properties. At least, it’s still delicious!

Are there other ways to preserve sauerkraut?

When it comes to extending the shelf life of sauerkraut, you have another option besides freezing: canning. Sauerkraut canning guarantees its duration for years.

The nature of the canning process requires heating the jars and the food they contain (in this case the sauerkraut) to extremely high temperatures. The purpose of this is to kill any bacteria present, thus preventing the food from spoiling.

However, this process also kills the good bacteria present, such as the probiotics in the sauerkraut. If you’re looking for the best method to extend the shelf life of sauerkraut while preserving as many healthy bacteria as possible, freezing is your best bet.

How do you know if the sauerkraut has gone bad?

It’s pretty easy to tell if your sauerkraut has gone bad. The first indication that sauerkraut has gone bad is a rotten smell . Also, if it appears discolored or has an odd texture, the sauerkraut is most likely spoiled.