What to Eat with Sauerkraut? - The Definitive Guide

If you are looking for a way to add a touch of crunch to your meals, sauerkraut may be the perfect seasoning for you.

Made from fermented or pickled cabbage, there are endless variations and tons of ways to use it in the kitchen.

Although sauerkraut is a German word and is commonly enjoyed in that country, the food itself is believed to have originated in China over 2,000 years ago.

It is famous for its bright, slightly sour, deliciously tangy flavor and the soft crunch of shredded cabbage.

Although you are probably familiar with the combination of sauerkraut and sausage, there are tons of potential combinations that you can use with sauerkraut.

So what to eat with sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut can be served over a pork chop, with mashed sweet potatoes, on a grilled cheese sandwich, in a casserole dish, or on your favorite egg or salad plate. The brine itself can also be used in a vinaigrette.

Read on to discover easy and delicious ways to enjoy sauerkraut, whether you’re a meat eater, vegan, or vegetarian.

What is sauerkraut?

Basic sauerkraut is made with finely chopped cabbage leaves, sea salt, and water.

It is massaged or mashed to release the liquid from the cabbage leaves and then fermented for 1 week to 1 month for the lactic acid bacteria to do their job.

Many sauerkraut you’ll find on supermarket shelves are not actually fermented, but instead use vinegar and salt to mimic the lactic acid fermentation of traditional sauerkraut.

The taste is similar, but there can be a distinct difference between fermented and vinegar-pickled sauerkraut.

Both variants are absolutely delicious and make for a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.

While the most basic sauerkraut will be pretty straightforward, you can get interesting varieties that include everything from caraway seeds to fresh herbs to carrots and ginger.

Whatever your taste preference, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll find some type of sauerkraut to satisfy your taste buds.

How to eat sauerkraut

There are many ways to enjoy sauerkraut, whether it’s raw or cooked. Below I offer you many recipes and options for vegan or vegetarian ways to enjoy sauerkraut.

But one of the classic sauerkraut dishes that is always worth trying is Baked Pork Chops with Sauerkraut. 

This dish is a classic for a reason. It’s bursting with flavor and relatively easy to prepare. It’s a great main component of your meal and you can serve it with one of the delicious side dishes we share below.

Baked Pork Chops with Apple and Sauerkraut Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with oil. Put it away for now.
2. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup drained sauerkraut with 1 diced white onion, 1 diced red apple, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 tablespoon caraway seeds.
3. Take 4 center cut pork chops and season them with salt and pepper.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the cooking oil and let it heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
5. Sauté the pork chops until browned on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Arrange the pork chops in the baking dish in a single layer. Top them with the sauerkraut mixture.
7. Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the oven until the center of the chop reaches 145°F. Check at 25 minutes, although it can take up to 40 minutes depending on the thickness of the chops.
8. Remove from oven, remove foil, and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

What to eat with sauerkraut and sausage

If you want to go with a meal of sauerkraut and sausage, there are some tasty side dishes you can pair with this classic combination.

Since sauerkraut is so rich, you’ll probably want to try a creamy garnish to balance it all out. Try one of these recipes:

creamy mashed potatoes

1. Depending on your preferences, you can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on to make a “dirty” mashed potato.
2. Cut 3 large potatoes into quarters.
3. Place a large saucepan over high heat and fill with enough water to cover the potatoes. Add a generous amount of salt, at least a teaspoon.
4. Add the potatoes to the pot and cover with the lid. Bring to a boil.
5. Once boiled, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes until a fork glides easily through the meat. It should take about 15-20 minutes.
6. Drain the potatoes and return them to the saucepan.
7. Add 1/2 cup of cream, 1/4 cup of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the potatoes. You may want to keep the heat low if the butter is not melting.
8. Using a food processor or electric hand mixer, mash the potatoes until they reach the desired consistency. If you want a creamier texture, you can add more cream or butter.
9. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy with sauerkraut and sausage.

sweet potato puree

If you want to try a sweeter side dish for your sausage and sauerkraut, creamy mashed sweet potatoes might be a perfect option.

1. Peel 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
2. Place a saucepan on the heat and fill it halfway with water. Place a steamer basket on top and fill it with the sweet potatoes. Cover it with the lid.
3. Turn the heat to full and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer.
4. Steam the sweet potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. You may want to stir the sweet potatoes halfway to move the bottom ones up and vice versa so they cook evenly.
5. Once the sweet potatoes are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork, remove them from the steamer basket and place them in a bowl.
6. Add 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup cream plus 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
7. You can use a potato masher for a more rustic result or an electric hand mixer for a smoother consistency. Mash the sweet potatoes until you get the desired consistency. Feel free to add more cream or more butter.
8. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
9. Serve with the sausage and sauerkraut.

Vegan Garnishes for Sauerkraut

While your first thought of eating sauerkraut is probably pairing it with some type of meat, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy it as a vegan or vegetarian.

I’ll share some of my favorites below, like using it in a vinaigrette, adding it to a salad, or serving it with vegan sausage.

Use the sauerkraut brine in a vinaigrette

One of my favorite ways to use sauerkraut uses a component that is often thrown away: brine. This brine is usually a combination of salt and vinegar or the lactic acid byproducts of sauerkraut fermentation. 

It’s bursting with flavor and can easily replace acid or vinegar in a salad dressing.

When I make a dressing or vinaigrette, I like to use a 2:1 ratio of oil and acid (lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, etc.). From that starting point, you can add herbs, spices, and mustard to customize your dressing.

Try this easy recipe for sour sauerkraut vinaigrette: 

1. In a small jar, combine 1/4 cup sauerkraut brine with 1/2 cup olive oil.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey, 1 clove of garlic, finely minced, and 1 teaspoon of minced fresh dill to the jar.
3. Shake the jar vigorously until the ingredients are fully combined.
4. Place the jar in the fridge to sit for at least 1 hour before serving.
5. Try the dressing. You may want a little more sweetener, salt, or oil to balance the flavors.
6. Store it in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Chop the sauerkraut and add it to a fresh salad

Another great way to enjoy sauerkraut is to use it as a tangy element in a fresh salad. The fresh, crunchy texture and tart notes of sauerkraut pair well with almost any type of salad.

It’s especially good in cereal power bowls made with quinoa or rice. Try this to get started:

1. Cook 1/2 cup of quinoa or brown rice with a 2:1 ratio of water (or vegetable broth) to each grain. For 1/2 cup of quinoa you will need 1 cup of water or broth.
   1. Add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt for seasoning. 
   2. Mix the grain, water, and sea salt, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil.
   3. Once boiled, bring the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes for quinoa and 25-35 minutes for brown rice.
   4. Remove from heat, spread with a fork, and let cool while you prepare the rest of the salad.
2. Chop one or two stalks of celery into bite-sized pieces. 
3. Grate 1 carrot.
4. Thinly slice 1 spring onion.
5. Cut half a cucumber into small dice.
6. Chop half to a whole red bell pepper into small pieces. 
7. Finely chop 1-2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, basil, and/or cilantro (use one, two, or all three herbs as you prefer).
8. Drain a quarter cup of sauerkraut and chop finely. 
9. Combine all the chopped vegetables with the quinoa or brown rice. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds and your favorite salad dressing. Enjoy. 

Enjoy sauerkraut with vegan sausages

Since the vegan diet is becoming so popular, there are many types of tofu, bean and/or legume based sausages available on the market.

Pairing your favorite vegan sausage with sauerkraut is a great way to enjoy a classic meatless dish.

Serve with the mashed sweet potatoes or regular potatoes above with a mushroom sauce for the full effect.

Vegetarian Garnishes for Sauerkraut

As we have already seen, there are many ways to enjoy sauerkraut without using meat. Next I am going to share some recipes that will help you get your batteries in the kitchen.

sauerkraut and eggs

One of the easiest and most delicious ways to enjoy sauerkraut is as a dip for eggs. Here are some things you can try:

• Finely chop the sauerkraut and slip it into your scrambled eggs just before serving. It tastes great with a bit of goat cheese and fresh dill.
• Finely chop the sauerkraut and use as a filling in a tortilla with your favorite cheese(s) and some green onions.
• Chop it up and add it to your frittata with red peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, goat cheese and spinach.

Grilled cheese sandwiches with sauerkraut

You’ve probably had the classic Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut, but if you’re looking for a great vegetarian option, try making a classic grilled cheese stuffed with sauerkraut.

It’s very simple and the acidity of the sauerkraut cuts through the richness of the cheese.

1. Slice the rye bread into the thickness you like and spread some mayonnaise on the inside with some Dijon mustard.
2. Choose your favorite cheese and cover one side to the edges . I like to use sliced American cheese or you can go fancy and use old cheddar, provolone, havarti or a mix of your favorites.
3. Layer the sauerkraut on top of the cheese, then top with more cheese and place the other slice of bread on top. You can use butter or mayonnaise (trust me, it’s a game changer) on the outside of this slice of bread.
4. Heat a skillet over medium heat and place the grilled cheese butter and mayonnaise side down. She gently presses into the pan, careful not to crush the center.
5. Butter or mayonnaise the top slice of bread , then cover the pan with a lid to help the cheese melt completely.
6. When the bottom slice is golden, about 2-3 minutes, remove the lid. Flip the grilled cheese over and cook another 2-3 minutes or until the outside of the bread has reached the desired color. You may need to slightly raise or lower the heat as it cooks.
7. Once the exterior is golden brown and the cheese is melted, remove it from the pan, cut it in half diagonally, and eat immediately.

Vegetarian Sauerkraut Casseroles

The options for casseroles with sauerkraut are endless. You can use a potato, noodle or rice base to create infinite combinations according to your preferences. Some combinations you can try are

• Rice, cream, cheese and sauerkraut with chopped onion and lots of garlic. 
• Your favorite noodles, such as macaroni or egg noodles, with tomatoes, olives, sauerkraut, onions, feta, cream and a layer of crusty bread. 
• Try using mashed potatoes or cubes mixed with vegan sausage meat, garlic, onion, sauerkraut, and your favorite cheese for an easy one-pot sauerkraut casserole. 

There are many different combinations, so don’t be afraid to search for sauerkraut casserole plus your favorite ingredient to find one that works for you.