Homemade sauerkraut, all salty and sour, is brilliantly easy to make at home. All you need is two simple ingredients: cabbage and salt. And then plenty of time to allow probiotics to do their work, producing a vibrantly complex and delicious food.
Jump to Recipe | What is it? | Benefits | Tips | Storage | Fermentation | Crocks
What is sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut is a traditional fermented food made by allowing shredded cabbage and salt to ferment over a period of time. After fermenting for a period of weeks or months, it produces a potent sour side dish that is rich in beneficial bacteria.
You’ll find similar dishes made from fermented cabbage, like kimchi and curtido, throughout the world, sauerkraut has its roots in German and Eastern European cooking.
Like most fermented vegetables, it’s easy to make at home and you only need two very simple and inexpensive ingredients: cabbage and salt.
Is it good for you?
Like all fermented foods, sauerkraut is rich in beneficial bacteria(1). It is particularly rich in lactobacillus bacteria that you can also find in foods like kefir, sour pickles and yogurt.
These beneficial bacteria help support gut health and immune system function. They also help to enhance your body’s ability to manufacture and absorb key nutrients (2). Further, they can also help to support your immune system in cases of food borne illness or digestive distress (3).
Beyond support for digestion, sauerkraut and other fermented foods also show promise in supporting blood sugar regulation, metabolic health and cardiovascular health (4). While the mechanism isn’t fully understood, researchers have found that probiotics help to support optimal weight (5,6), but it largely depends on the specific bacteria.
Fermenting cabbage also releases key phytonutrients that support cellular health. Researchers have examined how these nutrients may prove helpful in the battle against breast cancer (7).
Tips for Making Homemade Sauerkraut
It’s really easy to make sauerkraut, but there’s a few things you should keep in mind to make sure that your kraut comes out perfect every time.
- Shred the cabbage very thinly. For the best texture, avoid food processors and cut your cabbage by hand or with a cabbage slicer.
- Flavor it. Once you get the hang of making it, consider flavoring sauerkraut with fruits, vegetables, specialty salts, herbs and spices.
- Keep the cabbage completely submerged in brine. Brine keeps your cabbage safe during fermentation, and less prone to mold.
- Limit airflow. Your sauerkraut should ferment in an anaerobic environment that allows carbon dioxide to escape without letting oxygen in. An airlock or fermentation crock is useful.
- Taste it. After a few weeks of fermentation, your homemade sauerkraut will be ready to try. Taste it periodically to see if it’s sour enough for your liking.
- If it’s too salty, soak it in cold water for 20 minutes to reduce the salt content.
- Watch for signs of contamination. Sliminess, a putrid smell, and visible mold on the cabbage itself are all signs that your sauerkraut has gone bad. It’s best to discard it and start over.
Salt and Successful Fermentation
At its simplest, good homemade sauerkraut needs only salt and cabbage. When it comes to fermentation, salt performs a few important functions.
First, salt helps to create an environment that favors lactobacillus bacteria. Those are the beneficial bacteria that make fermented vegetables both tasty and healthy. It also helps to keep other microbes like mold at bay until your fermentation is well underway. So we use salt for both safety and flavor.
Secondly, salt helps keep your ferments crisp. Without salt, your sauerkraut will become limp and mushy.
How much salt should you use?
Fermented vegetables like cabbage generally do well with 2-3% salt by weight. That means that for every pound of cabbage you use, you should also use 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt.
You can also weigh your cabbage using a kitchen scale, and then use 20 to 30 grams salt for every kilogram cabbage.
How to Store It
Fermentation preserves cabbage and other vegetables naturally. That’s because the lactobacillus bacteria that ferment foods release lactic acid which, like vinegar, preserves foods and keeps them safe for long-term storage.
If you’re making a small amount of sauerkraut, tucking your jar into the fridge is usually sufficient. But if you’re making more than a quart or two, you may need to find other ways to preserve it.
Once you’ve finished making sauerkraut, you can preserve it a number of ways:
- Canning sauerkraut is a popular method, but it’s unnecessary for long-term storage. The high heat required for canning destroys the beneficial bacteria and delicate food enzymes found in sauerkraut. If you’re intent on canning, follow safe guidelines.
- Refrigeration is the easiest and most intuitive way to preserve fermented vegetables. Cold temperatures slow down the fermentation process. Make sure you store your kraut in its brine, and it will keep at least 6 months.
- Root cellars are traditionally used to store ferments and cold-hardy crops. The low, even temperature functions similar to refrigeration and slows down the fermentation process, allowing you to store them at least 6 months.
- Freezing sauerkraut in food-safe containers is another option. Freezing temperatures may damage the probiotics over time and reduce their numbers (8).
How long should you let it ferment?
When you bake bread or cookies, there’s a clear finish time. Accordingly, you pull them out of the oven when the timer sounds its alarm, or you risk burning them. But with fermented vegetables, there’s much greater nuance.
First, you want to make sure that fermentation has started. So, you’ll want to look for signs of microbial activity. Bubbling and foaming usually begin within about three days, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. And once you see bubbles forming, you’ll know that fermentation is underway.
But how do you know when it’s done?
Fermentation is complete when your sauerkraut tastes pleasantly sour. It should have a sour aroma similar to vinegar, but less pronounced.
So, if you’ve seen signs of active fermentation, like bubbles, and it smells pleasantly sour, it’s safe to eat. You can continue to let it ferment so that it develops a rich, complex flavor and deep sourness. And just transfer it to the fridge when it tastes right to you.
When considering fermentation time, keep the following in mind:
- Colder temperatures cause food to ferment more slowly, so your sauerkraut may take longer.
- Warmer temperatures cause food to ferment quickly, so it might need less time.
- Smaller volumes take less time than large volumes.
Fermentation Crocks, Jars and Other Equipment
When making sauerkraut, you’ll need a container to ferment your cabbage. Because fermentation is an anaerobic process – that is it’s best without the free flow of oxygen, you’ll need an airtight jar or crock. When oxygen flows freely into your ferments, it can cause mold.
Many home fermenters use mason jars, especially when they’re just beginning. But it’s wise to invest in special fermentation equipment for making sauerkraut.
Ideally, your container is a jar or crock that allows the carbon dioxide that builds up during fermentation to escape without letting oxygen in.
Use the Right Equipment
- Glass Jars with Weights and Fermentation Lids. These are inexpensive and perfect for small batches of a quart or less. Weights keep your sauerkraut submerged while fermentation seals keep oxygen out, and both help you to ferment safely. Find weights here and fermentation lids here.
- Stoneware crocks are heirloom-quality pieces. They come with heavy weights and have a well that you fill with water, which keeps oxygen out. They’re excellent for large batch fermentation of 1 gallon or more. Find them here.
How to Make Sauerkraut
If you’re making homemade sauerkraut, you’ll need to start with fresh cabbage. Very fresh cabbage from the garden or farmers market works best because it has a high water content, which means more juice for your brine.
After tossing any bruised leaves into the compost bin, you’ll core the cabbage and then slice it very thinly. Then mix it with salt and let it macerate until it softens and releases its juice.
Then, after kneading or squeezing the cabbage and salt together to fully release the juice, pack it tightly into jars or your crock. Weigh the cabbage down with glass or stoneware weights or a cabbage leaf, seal your crock. Next, let it ferment away from direct sunlight at least 2 weeks for small volumes and up to 6 months for large volumes, depending on how sour you like it.
Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe
Ingredients
For the Sauerkraut
- 2 pounds cabbage (from 1 head)
- 4 teaspoons finely ground real salt
Special Equipment
- Jar
- Glass Weights
- Airlock
Instructions
- Remove any bruised or damaged exterior leaves from your cabbage, and then slice it in half cross-wise. Remove the cabbage's core, and then slice the cabbage into strips no wider than 1/8-inch thick.
- Toss cabbage and salt together in a large mixing bowl and let it rest about 20 minutes, or until the cabbage begins to soften and release a little juice. Then squeeze the cabbage with your hands to to soften it even further, and help it to release more juice.
- When the cabbage has become limp and has released ample juice, transfer it to your jar. Pack the sauerkraut tightly into your jar, using a kraut pounder or a wooden spoon, so that the cabbage continues to release its liquid and no air bubbles remain.
- Continue packing the cabbage into the container until the cabbage is completely submerged by its liquid. Place weights over the cabbage, and then seal the jar with your airlock. Allow the cabbage to ferment at room temperature and away from direct sunlight at least 1 month, or until done to your liking. When the sauerkaut is sour enough for your liking, transfer it to the fridge where it will keep at least 6 months and up to 1 year.
Notes
You might also like this recipe …
Hot Pink Jalapeño Garlic Sauerkraut
Once you get the hang of making basic sauerkraut, you can liven things up by adding new flavors.
One of our favorites is this hot pink garlic kraut!
Article Citations and Resources
1,2) Swain, M. R., Anandharaj, M., Ray, R. C., & Parveen Rani, R. (2014). Fermented fruits and vegetables of Asia: a potential source of probiotics. Biotechnology research international, 2014.
3) Johnston, B.C., et al. (2012) Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine. 157(12), 878-888
4) Kok, C.R. & Hutkins, R. (2018). Yogurt and other fermented foods as sources of health-promoting bacteria. Nutrition Reviews.
5) Sánchez, Marina. et al. Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 supplementation on weight loss and maintenance in obese men and women. The British Journal of Nutrition. 111(8)
6) Osterberg, K. et al. (2015). Probiotic supplementation attenuates increases in body mass and fat mass during high‐fat diet in healthy young adults. Obesity Research Journal.
7) Licznerska, B. E., Szaefer, H., Murias, M., Bartoszek, A., & Baer-Dubowska, W. (2013). Modulation of CYP19 expression by cabbage juices and their active components: indole-3-carbinol and 3,3′-diindolylmethene in human breast epithelial cell lines. European journal of nutrition, 52(5), 1483–1492.
8) HARRISON A. P., Jr (1955). Survival of bacteria upon repeated freezing and thawing. Journal of bacteriology, 70(6), 711–715.
Patti Beam says
This post is old so you may not see this but my question is what to do when the water in your kraut come out off the jar while fermenting, Almost half the water has come out and the kraut is not covered. It tastes fine and has been setting about 4 weeks. I just don’t know if I should have added more brine during the process or add some now before I put it in the frig. Appreciate your hlep.
Angie says
So I tried this, but I added caraway seeds – and I think it turned out really good. I let it ferment 6 weeks though, not 30 days. Would garlic be okay to add, too?
Amber says
I really liked this recipe. I added some chopped garlic to it, and it was great.
Rhiannon says
Thanks for the simple recipe – I’m rather regretting having given my copy of “Nourishing Traditions” to charity now! Just bought a 3-litre kraut crock (from a local place, and hello from rainy Somerset, England) and I’ve got 3 heads of white cabbage coming in my next veg box. I’m guessing this would taste just as good with the addition of some juniper berries and caraway seeds? I’m part-Austrian, and there’s a few food traditions that I can remember from holidays in Vienna (mostly things like apple strudel and lovely rye bread and leberwurst – the spreadable liver sausage – and Hungarian garlic bread with thick raw garlic) , and well, the sauerkraut preparation method seems to be something I remember without knowing how – a folk memory, maybe? And anyway, caraway seeds reduce flatulence, promote digestion and taste good, and juniper berries stimulate and aid digestion, among other properties. (I’m a Herb-Woman, by the way)
Sinéad O'Brien says
Can I use a ceramic jar and put two or three layers of muslim tied with an elastic band to cover instead of a jar with an airtight cover?
Jenny says
Hi Sinead,
I recommend that you use an airlock, as muslin tied with an elastic band will leave your sauerkraut prone to mold.
Sinead O'Brien says
I made a small batch of saurkraut but it is a little bit brown near the top. Maybe I didn’t have it submerged enough.
Jenny says
As long as it’s submerged it should be okay.
Bev says
Hi. I’m new to your site and new to fermenting. I’ve just made my first batch of sauerkraut. It has been submerged in its brine now for 11 days. I used a rock inside a ziplock bag for a weight and I did not have a fancy pressure lid, just a brand new Mason jar. I burped it a few times. Anyway, it has changed color now from the brighter lime green of the cabbage to the pale washed out color typical of sauerkraut. Is now the time to test it? I’m super nervous, this is the first thing I’ve ever fermented, and to be honest, I’m not usually a brave DIY-er so frankly my family is shocked I gave this a try. I’m just worried about it tasting bad, or worse, poisoning myself (because I won’t let the family taste it till I know it’s ok). How do I know if it’s good and how would I recognize a problem? Thanks for any help.
Jenny says
Hi Bev,
As long as any solid materials are kept below the liquid in the jar, and the contents are not moldy. It should be fine. I TOTALLY understand your trepidation, but foodborne illness from properly fermented foods is very rare.
Jess says
Love this simple recipe! I used it with great success earlier this year! I started a blog and shared this post for reference!
Terry says
Hi Jenny,
When using an airlock to make sauerkraut, when is it safe to replace the airlock with a lid? For example if I am fermenting my sauerkraut for at least 1 month or possibly up to 6 months, can you replace the airlock with a lid after 2 weeks so that you may use the airlock for another ferment?
Jenny says
I replace the airlock with a lid when I move the sauerkraut to cold storage.
Rhianon says
I tried making sauerkraut awhile back, but it turned out kinda gross! I think, after reading this, that my salt ratio was wrong, and that it was also too warm where I was fermenting it. I think it’s time I tried making it again!
Carol says
Can you purchase unpasteurized kraut that would have the same heart health benefits as homemade?
Jenny says
It should!
Loredana says
Thank you for all this valuable information.
Can I add cloves of garlic to the recipe, or will it alter the fermentation process?
Also, I don’t have the jars so I am using large Kilner type jars with clip shut glass lids. They have an air pocket in the lid, so I have put cling-film over the lid and then replaced the rubber seal – hope it works!
Jenny says
Hi Loredana,
Garlic is a great addition to sauerkraut.
Rich says
Hello –
My father and I have been making Kraut for years together now in a large Red Wing Crock. This past fall we again made it the way we had for years however after canning the kraut within about a month or 2 most of it had turned quite dark in color and did not look appealing at all. About a dozen of the quarts turned out completely normal in color. I have been unable to find an answer to this mystery anywhere and was wondering if you had an answer to this? Other question is if the jars are going to be kept at room temp do you typically boil the jars with the kraut in to seal?
Jenny says
Hi rich, I haven’t had that experience. Perhaps they were contaminated?
Captain Adcap says
GREAT TIPS – First, Use Morton Natural Sea Salt !!! It is like pickling salt, no additives, HUGE DIFFERENCE !!! SALT with NO ADDITIVES. 2nd, add a little sugar in the bottom, it kick starts the fermentation, and converts to harmless alcohol. Third, if you have a little juice from a good batch, throw that in, its called a “mother” and it also kicks start the fermentation. All natural mother please, no vinegar. Happy, happy, happy…
Sharon says
I see from the article that it is not necessary to can the sauerkraut, but can I if I want to?
Jenny says
Sure.
Monica says
I want to just try it out in a plastic container. What do you think?
Jenny says
I recommend using stoneware crocks or glass jars as explained above, and I don’t recommend plastic.
Susan Cherryx says
A friend sliced cabbage for sauerkraut and sliced the end of his finger into it. He wants to use the cabbage rather than “waste” it.He says the salt in the brine eliminates any contamination from the mishap.I disagree. He should discard the offending cabbage.Who is correct?
Jenny says
Hi Susan,
The risk of illness associated with the mishap is virtually nonexistent, particularly after extensive fermentation; however, the cabbage is contaminated with blood (and potentially other tissue depending on the extent of the injury) and that raises the question of whether or not he intends to serve it to unwitting guests, or to guests with the caveat that he sliced the end of his finger into it. They’re not likely to get sick eating it, but they’re also not likely to want to eat something that your friend bled into.
I would recommend discarding the cabbage.
Hannah says
Can I use a mason jar that has a hermetically sealed lid in order to acquire the anaerobic environment?
Jenny says
Hannah,
You need to allow some way for the Co2 built up during fermentation to escape.
Hannah says
Oh okay, I guess I’m a little confused then. The kraut needs to be in an airtight environment but also allow air to escape?
Jenny says
I guess, “air-tight environment” is the easiest way to explain an anaerobic or oxygen-deprived environment. What you’re really after, optimally, is an anaerobic environment that allows Co2 build up to escape, but that does so without allowing oxygen in.
Patricia Lentz says
I have used a culture purchased from Body Ecology, is this necessary? Do we get the same beneficial microbials for good gut flora without adding something like like this.
Jenny says
Hi Patricia,
No, purchased starter culture is NOT necessary. You get plenty of beneficial microbes without the addition of starter, but using a starter might inocculate the sauerkraut with specific beneficial bacteria.
Thomas Mason says
hi there
I just made a batch in a 3 gallon crock. I have it about 2/3 full. I put the ;eaves on top and the weights over that. However I read conflicting issues whether to cover or not. I put a piece of wet mulsim sheet on top and put a bunjee around it, is this correct? I don’t have a lid. I see some people do a lid others do what I do, what is correct?
thanks
Thom
Thomas Mason says
I live in florida so I am thinking this should be ready in about 3-4 weeks.
James says
Is there any need to control the temperature of the fermentation? I’ve read elsewhere that lacto prefers +/- 45 degrees C?
Cindy jo says
I’m making kraut now it has fermented for six weeks in my kitchen in a special fermenting crock it looks great, smells awful, but isn’t sour enough it still tastes a little cabbagey. Do I need to let it ferment longer?
Jenny says
Yes, I would ferment it longer.
bud says
If you put some of the outter leaves on the top, the mold if any will stick to them
Barbie says
I started my Saurkraut process 4 weeks ago. Plate on top of the kraut and brine. Then a weight. Then on top of the crock I sealed it with wrap and rubber and. I smell nothing. Why is there no Oder. I don’t want to check it til week 6. Does no smell mean a problem or does it mean I sealed it tightly?
Steve says
My first couple sauerkraut batches have a yellow coloration near the top. Is that a problem?
Lone Stewart says
I have experimented with different ways of making sauerkraut. I always use Molkosan from Bioforce, which reduces the amount of salt you need to use. Molkosan is a concentrated whey and can be bought online.
The easiet way: Finely shred cabbage, omit the coarser bits, and pack into 4-liter plastik bags suitable for food storage. Add salt and whey directly in the bag. Suck as much air out of the bag as possible (with your mouth) and close with a rubberband. Toss the cabbage around to mix it with the whey and salt. No liquid is needed this way. Leave at room temperature for 3-5 days, turning the bags over a couple of times a day. When the bags swell up from the fermentation process put the sauerkraut into suitable jars with lids and store in the fridge.
The tastiest way: Finely shred the cabbage and put into a big bowl. I use a big glass bowl with a plastic lid. Add salt and whey between the layers. Instead of crushing the cabbage and adding water to cover, juice the coarser cabbage bits and the core and cover the cabbage with this juice. Cover with the lid and leave for 3-5 days at room temperature. Transfer into smaller jars and store in the fridge. This method gives an intensely flavoured sauerkraut. I’ve just eaten the last bit from last autums production and the umami flavour is incredible now.
Melissa says
Hi, I have tried to make Sauerkraut for the first time last Sunday. I have followed a “simple and easy way” recipe, one cabbage + 1tbspn salt and I packed it tightly in a mason jar. I had a large amount of liquid come out and it is in there with a cabbage lid placed over the cabbage and packed down tight. I left it in a dark, cool place for 3 days and checked it last night and it seemed fine.
When I opened one jar it had a lot of bubbles where the other one didn’t. It also smelt but not as bad as some people say it should smell in this post. I followed the instructions to put it in the fridge today; yes I know it isn’t the long process everyone talks about here; but I am not sure if I should continue to keep the cabbage lid and liquid in the jars?
Every recipe I have read online does not give me this answer, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ricki says
Two questions.
Does the crock with the sauerkraut stay at room temp for 1 – 6 months while its fermenting?
Can I do cabbage like this whole in a crock pot? I prefer sour cabbage when I do cabbage rolls.
Thanks for your reply.
Ricki
scuffy bat says
Can I use a cabbage to cut the scabs off of my esky lid. Its hard to pick off with my nails alone or with my friends.
Lilly says
Where is this recipe on your Pinterest?
Jean-Pierre says
Hi there from Vietnam, where the temperature is around 30°C/86°F day and night…
With this kind of temperature, do I have any chance of making sauerkraut?
Would my last possibility be the refrigerator? (I cannot adjust it, and it is just above freezing point)
Or put it in my bedroom with air conditioning on (and sleep with the smell) for one month ($50 extra electricity)?
I also thought covering my jar with a heavy wet beach towel, and put a fan on it… That could be a bit cool.
Waiting for a suggestion before going to the market… Thanks!
William Milliken says
I hot climates do as the Koreans do with KimChi, a type of sauerkraut, bury it in the ground
.
cat says
If i have used too much salt and its been fermenting for a couple of days, is there anyway to save it? or will it just take longer to ferment? or will it go bad before it has a chance to ferment?
Janis Frasier says
I usually make sauerkraut in a glass jar; however, because there were so many posts saying this is the best way to do it, I bought a large crock and made a batch in it.
The sauerkraut developed slimy pink (and other colors) mold and I threw it out. The problem is that the crock has become infested with many blue mold spots that are now incorporated into the paint and surfaces of the crock–they will not wash off.
Has anyone else had this problem–if so, how do you remedy it?
Jenny says
It sounds like yu didn’t use the crock properly. The crock needs to fillled almost completely. The cabbage needs to be weighted down so that brine covers it, and the well of the crock must always be kept full. Used properly like this, whatever you’re fermenting won’t develop mold or slime.
robotlove says
Susan D — No liquid is added. The liquid mentioned in the article comes from the cabbage itself. When the salt is mixed with the cabbage, it pulls water out of the cabbage. This water builds up and pools. No starter is needed, cabbage has it’s own bacteria which causes the fermentation process.
Don Swafford says
Topoff brine; boiled then cooled … 1 1/2 Tablespoons of salt per quart of water for the brine ….
After I’ve mashed (potato masher) the shredded cabbage as firm a pack as I can manage, I let the fermenter sit on my counter overnight. In the morning I determine if I need the topoff brine. I give it a dose if necessary … up to about 1/2 an inch over the level of the packed cabbage … Sauerkraut juice is a throwaway for me … I rinse the finished product put a ton of brown sugar and more caraway seeds …. lace the whole shebang with pig fat and I’m good to go…
Michelle says
Thanks for the top up brine instructions! I wanted more liquid than I could extract from the cabbage as kraut juice is amazing for digestion issues – tummy bugs, diarrhea, etc. I take a tablespoon neat but dilute it with apple juice for family members as it disguises the saltly cabbage flavour.
Don Swafford says
I agree … and did I not mention that I made Sauerkraut exactly that way for 30 of my 40 years fermenting cabbage … your correct in your implication that Sauerkraut is easy … but not so easy that a batch cannot fail … my thesis is the slight pains taken to insure rapid uptake and perfect sealing of the fermenting mass is worth it … no self respecting fermenter of anything beside Sauerkraut would risk their hard work ton chance.
EXAMPLES FOLLOW
1.Beer (except Belgium lambic and a few wild fermented beers)
2. Wine
3. Most cheeses
4. Bread (except salt rising)
there are probably others but I’m 66 retired and Tim for my nap.
Susan D says
This might be a silly question, but you didn’t mention at what stage to put liquid in, and if it was cold or hot, or boiling water. I’m new to this whole fermenting and pickling thing and not quite sure what to do. Would you suggest filtered water is better than tap water for example? Also, would is your opinion on using culture starter? I don’t have any right now, but have been looking at recipes with and without and wondered what your take is on it. Thanks
Isabeau says
If your kraut is leaking in the brine department, make a brine solution by heating up a mixture of 1 tsp canning salt to 1 cup water. Once salt is dissolved completely, remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour over kraut, recover and continue fermenting.
Don Swafford says
Sauerkraut makers need to go to Northern Brewer home brewed beer site and take a gander at the
Big-Mouth Bubbler glass beer fermenter
… this is a fancy watersealed crock substitute … very cleanable in 1, 5 & 6 gallon size …. I have co2 tanks and can top my cabbage over with a protective blanket of protective gas not actually necessary but extra insurance …. with starter lacto and topoff brine I would defy anyone to spoil a batch …. sour is good … happy fermentations to you.
Patti Maddox says
Good afternoon, I have read all your questions and answers & found it very useful for what I am doing at the moment. I am a chef and own a homemade pickle, jams Pate and so on for orders and mainly selling at market fairs. I have a few orders for fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, kimchi, and anything else I can come up with.) I have already made a few batches of orders everything seemed to come out well. but I just can’t stop wondering whether the hot weather have anything to do with the fermentation process? (Where I live the weather is very hot and humid) My products seem to be ready way too early than the time the recipe requires? but I’m happy with the out come, so are our customers, the orders are growing bigger & bigger. I must be doing something right?
Question #2 We are allowed to open to check and mix or turn the vegs aren’t we? Reading some of the questions wrote to you sounds like there are some miss under standing that not allowed to open.
Question #3 Is the sourness comes from the amount of salt we use, and if we want it to stop getting any more sour is to put it in the fridge?
Thank you very much for your time and answers in advance.
Patti
Stacey says
Hi ~ I have made sauerkraut in a 2 qt mason jar which was not quite full. The first 2″ have turned brown of which I removed (orig covered w/fresh cabbage leaves and pressed down). After 7 days the top part started turning brown. Today is day 10, I removed the brown stuff and tasted it. It needs more days (my orig recipe said 10..I see yours is way way longer). However, the jar I felt was too large so I transferred to a 1 qt mason jar — did I just ruin it exposing it to air and should I chuck it? I put fresh cabbage leaves on top and pressed it down, put a towel over it and it’s sitting. And, am I supposed to put the lid on? I just have the cabbage leaves pressed with a kitchen towel over it. Thank you!
Deb says
I have a question. I would love to try this with some carrot in it as well, shredded or coins. Is there any chance of botulism if done anaerobically? Just wondering because that could be too scary for me.
Jenny says
Happily, Botulism is not a risk in properly fermented foods.
Ayala says
Question…I used iodized seasalt because my recipe didn’t say not to….will this ruin my batch or will it just ferment slower?
Jenny says
I think it’ll be fine, though I don’t use iodized salt.
Tali says
Hi, I’m from Queensland, Australia and was wanting to know how fermenting would work in my very hot climate. Should I wait until winter? My summer ranges from 25c – 42c ( sorry not sure in Fahrenheit) and winter can be from 3c – 32c. Would it work in a fridge?
I’m loving your webpage.
Thanks
Stephanie says
The top 2 – 3 inches of my sauerkraut turned a nasty brown color! Can anyone tell me what happened? I used my food processor to shred the cabbage this time. I have always sliced it with a knife. Could this have caused it to go bad? I’ve heard that the food processor creates too much juice causing it to ferment too fast. Have you heard this before?
Jenny says
Was your sauerkraut weighed down and fully submerged?
clarence murphy says
i use a 5 gal water bottle half filled with water to hold down my cabbage while it forments and there is only a half inch of space around the the water bottle and the inside of the crook
Michael says
I just tried a batch of sauerkraut about a week ago. I packed it in mason jars and is currently fermenting. I looked at the jars and I noticed air bubbles in the jars and the mason jar lids are up. I my standard canning I know they are supposed to be down. Is this bad? I am not sure. Please advise! Thanks!
Wayne says
Goodmorning Jenny, Just a short note to let you know that I am following your link here for sauerkraut. We are in Mexico, just a couple of hours south of PV. If you can even find kraut here, it is imported and very expensive. We make it all the time at home in Canada, so I thought that if I had some spare time, I could do it here. Crocks as we know them don’t exist here and no type of plastic, food grade or not is unacceptable in our view. I chose to use the slowcooker crock and it work fine. Remember that the bigger the knife, the easier the cutting of the cabbage. I cut up two cabbages and and worked the salt in. I used a beer bottle for packing, starting from full and slowly emptying it as I packed more cabbage. By the time all the cabbage was in, there was no more beer in the bottle either. The beauty of it being so hot is that the fermentation process had begun in 12 hours. Make sure that you keep the cabbage submerged for proper results. It just goes great with the pork down here.
Grace says
I don’t get enough liquid from the cabbage to “submerge” the cabbage in. Do I add water to this?
Grace says
Got it! I wasn’t packing hard enough.
Michelle says
How long can sauerkraut be stored in a Harscht crock if it’s opened frequently so we can eat the contents (after it’s ready, of course)? We’ve been canning ours to preserve it, but if it’s able to last a year, I’d rather skip the canning…
Michelle says
We had a large batch turn out extremely bland and hardly sour at all. It was fermented for 5-6 weeks in the basement in a food-grade plastic bucket. The same day we started that batch we started a smaller batch in our regular Harsch crock which turned out great as usual. The bucket batch is still a little crunchy (not slimey), but hardly worth eating because of the blandness. Can it be saved? What might have caused this?
Jenny says
Michelle-
The bigger the batch, the longer it needs to ferment. 5-6 weeks is a very short period of time for a large batch. For a large batch, you’re looking at 6+ months.
Diane says
I was wondering if its ok to use a crock pot\slow cooker to put the cabbage in??
Dot says
Several links in your post to products are no longer valid, leading to “We are sorry, but the page you are looking for cannot be found” 404 URL errors.
Susan McElroy says
I’ve been making kraut in my Harsch crocks for seven years now. Never a failed batch! I add only enough salt for my tastebuds, and often throw in apples, beets, ginger, turnips, onions, carrots, sweet peppers, some kale, green tomatoes—if you keep cabbage at 50% of the bulk, you can pretty much toss in anything and it is all good. We eat a few tablespoonfuls a day for our tummies!
Tina says
I used 1/4 cup kefir whey in filtered water, which helps to ferment and add probiotics. I put my cabbage on the bottom, then I added onions, and carrots, raisins and red grapes for ferment “sugar”. I stirred in 1 1/2 tsp celtic sea salt for minerals and 2 tsp lemon juice for flavor and sour.
I put large outside leaves to weight down the vegs under 1″ of the liquid in a see-through glass jar with a tight lid, and put a heavy bottle filled with water on top of the lid. I left it on my counter in a 77 F degrees room.
After day 1 1/2 I opened the jar, removed the top white layer, added a little more whey, and it was done about 3 days later. I put it in the fridge so it’s fermenting more slowly, but I tasted it and it’s got a good flavor. Next time I’m gonna add dill weed, which I didn’t have at the time. I may leave out the grapes next time, we’ll see, but the resverol in the skins is good for you, and I don’t drink wine, so I’ll probably keep putting it in.
I made another one and put broccoli and peppers in and it was good too. So not just kraut, you can make a whole salad out of it.
CC says
Hi Jenny,
Any thoughts on how one goes about starting to add other ingredients – specifically, I am wondering about proportions against this basic recipe? I would like to add arame and ginger but not sure how much to add – I realize I could just go according to taste, or trial and error, but if you have any advice on this I would be most grateful!
Monique says
Hi
I have troubles packing the cabbage into the container until the cabbage is completely submerged by liquid …… I have a juicer at home, just wondering it I could juice some and add it to the jar?
by the way I just got your Cookbook and I have fallen in love with it I can not wait to start cooking with it
Regards
Jenny says
Hi Monique, you could certainly juice some cabbage, or use salt water. You might invest in some weights for your fermentation jars.
vera says
I use purple cabbage the same way and also I add grind apples and grind carrots and add small amount of Bragg’s Apple Cider vinegar pack it into large jars and keep it out for two to three days then I place it into the fridge.
Stuart Hayward says
Hi Jenny,
I recently made my first batch of auerkrau with cabbage etc- I made use of large 24 litre sealed tupperware plastic boxes. After 2 months of fermenting at room temperature a great deal of mould developed on the top of the kraut, how do I prevent this? Am I using an incorrect type of container perhaps?
Cathy says
I put my sauerkraut in the frig. Everything was good. The next day there was no brine on top of the kraut. Do I need to add some at this point?
Rosebud says
Hi all-
I use the airlock system (mine is called the perfect pickler) and it makes a perfect batch every single time! Amazon sells a six pack which is great because you can have six batches going at once. While we start enjoying the first batch, five more are cooking, and as soon as we finish that first batch, i make a new one, so there is always plenty to go around! (We are a family of six, so the two-quart mason jar batches go pretty fast!) I’ve never lost a batch, so the airlock system is definitely my favorite. It’s also super easy and takes out any guess work.
Chrissie says
Hi Guys
I was wondering if someone could help me. I have just lifted ‘the lid’ of my first batch of Sauerkraut to reveal an exposed, smelly, soggy and rotten cabbage leaf (which i used to squish the shredded cabbage down and thought it would hold) – Yummo. The thing is that it looks ok but am not sure if the liquid (and hence rest of jar) would be contaminated?? My sauerkraut is also bright fucia pink – which I thought looked pretty cool and that my daughter would be into but want to make sure its ok first….
Hmmm maybe its back to the drawing board 🙂
Rosanny says
Hi. I have been waiting a month for my first sauerkraut batch to be complete, and had been checking it several times throughout the process. It always seemed to be doing okay, until today when I noticed there is a little sediment of white on the bottom of each mason jar and the smell and taste are very yeasty. It almost smells like beer. I don’t necessarily have a problem with this, but am concerned that it is not healthy or safe to eat. I can’t seem to find any resource online that reassures me what amount of yeast is okay in the sauerkraut fermentation process. I added a little bit of salt and put it in the fridge, hoping this will change the properties of the kraut.
Any advice you could give I would be grateful for!
Florence French says
This is my fist time making kraut, and since I collect crocks I have plenty to experiment with. I used a #6 crock slice my cabbage, onion, green apples, and used celery seed, and coriander, and sea salt. All layered in crock up to the top. Placed a large glass plate on top then a plastic bowl with lid full of salt water, and then a gallon jug of water on top of that then covered. It’s just been a week, but the bloom is there already, and removing it every two days. I just had to taste it, and the flavor is good, but to crisp of course. Can’t wait for it to ripen.
Johnna D. says
Do you ever the powder from one probiotic capsule to your salt and then put on your cabbage to speed up the fermentation process? I have done this a few times and within 2 weeks my Kraut is ready 🙂
Annie says
Made sauerkraut with my uncle yesterday. we don’t have crocks so we used two large one gallon glass jars. he made a ‘pounder’ out of a branch which he carved. just the right weight and has a natural grip on it. i shredded the cabbage and onion. (we used 3 heads of cabbage and 4 white onions) we would put about 4 or 5 handfuls of cabbage and about 2 handfuls of onions in the jar, very lightly sprinkle salt, caraway seeds and drop one or 2 juniper berries and then pound. have to be careful pounding because of the glass jars. we did that equally among the two jars until we had no ingredients left. it smelled heavenly! I also enjoy snacking on the fresh onions and cabbage while making this fun stuff. then we covered each jar with plastic and rubber bands. will leave in the house a few days to get the fermentation going, then will place in the well house outside for about 6 weeks. (the end of february) …oh- the well house keeps the ‘fart’ smell out of the living space! it can do what it needs to do out there. around Easter our family will get to try the kraut! you can add vinegar to it on your plate if you like it that way or plain is just as good. by the way, after we packed the jars, we cleaned up the inside of the jar and took the outer large leaves of the cabbage and pressed that tightly against the kraut to keep it packed down while the juices start to fill up the jar. then we placed sanitized smooth rocks to keep the ‘goodie’ weighted down during the fermentation process.
David Kramer says
I have left my kraut for up to 25 days, but it still does not come out sour enough for me. Does it continue to get more sour if you continue to leave it ferment? Right now I make one gallon of kraut as soon as I transfer the finished kraut into quart jars. Could the people that add seasonings to their kraut please give me some measurements to the volumne (1 teaspoon per gallon of kraut for example) of each seasonning that they add? I have used fennel in the amount of 1 tablespoon per gallon, spread out in 1/2 teaspoon increments in layers of the kraut and like that very much but would like to try some other spices. Also, I use plastic bags filled with salt brine on top of a layer of outer leaves to hold down the cabbage and add water to keep it up to the rim as needed. The salt to water solution I use to add to keep it full is 1 teaspoon of pickling of kosher salt per cup of water. Does anyone know if I can I do green tomato slices the same way without mashing them down? Thank you for the help.
Jane george says
My mother use to make bell peppers stuffed with cabbage put it in a crock and it was sauerkraut when it was done she made it ever fall and was so good but I don’t know how she made it do you know how
Katie says
I am wondering what size of crock you recommend buying for a family (4 people). I live in Austria and they come in sizes ranging from 5L to 20L and beyond. I don’t even know where to start.
Thanks!!!
Connie says
I shredded 22 1/2 lbs of cabbage 9 days ago. It is in a 15 L crock with a trough. It began “working” within a day or two, expelling the gas. But I haven’t heard it for the last 4 days. Should I be concerned? What should I do? Thanks for your advice.
dilly says
how do I make sauerkraut?
Den says
Dilly!
Basically you need just chop the cabbage, add salt and let the nature make other work for you!:-)
Cherri says
I love sauerkraut and wanted to make my own. My mom always spoke of her aunt that kept a crock going in her barn all the time, when she visited, they would go out and grab a handful. I searched and found your site. I even bought the kraut crock from this site, it came with the 2 stones for weighting the kraut down, and you keep water in the outer rim. I worked shredding 2 cabbages, about 4.5 lbs. I checked the look of the kraut after a week, but did not disturb it. I checked back today, 2 weeks, and there was a layer of blue green mold across the top, the stones and up the sides. I threw out the whole batch and cleaned all like crazy. What the heck happened? It broke my heard to throw this out.
TwoFatLadies says
The mold is natural.Scrape it off gently, not distributing in into the sauerkraut. Wash the rocks (I boil mine) , the lid or plate and cover and allow it to continue to ferment. The first time I made sauerkraut it had a white “bloom” the next time it was white, pink and blue and it kinda freaked me out. I stayed the course and the kraut was fine. I like to skim mine every 2 days or so depending on how fast it’s fermenting.
Lots of luck
Sandy says
I am gonna b starting my first batch of kraut soon they say u have to watch what days is that still true? The farmers almanac I want to make sure. Also I bought food safe new 5gal food grade buckets with lids will these b fine? I’ve been reading a lot and watching YouTube I want this to turn out! I’m going to use my food prosseser to cut the cabbage ans then use these buckets put something heavier in plastic bag on top and put lid on isthmus ok? Plz any help thanks so much
Tony D. says
I’ve got a couple of Gartopf fermenting crocks and I can’t wait to try this out. I’ve got about 8 heads of cabbage just about ready to pick so I think I’ll use the 50 l version. Thanks for posting this!
Lisa E. says
I have followed directions, but some cabbage (just a small amount) is floating to the top. I’ve tried to remove these pieces but can’t remove them all. Is this OK?
Jenny says
Yes – Absolutely fine.
Jerry says
Sure brine no molld. Pack your crock with cabage or bucket mix 1 cup of canning salt 1 cup of white vinegar 1 gallon of water bring to a boil cool down and pour over cabbage in crock.Solition should be at least one inch over top of cabbage.Cover with a old sheet or cheese cloth weight down with plate and gallon jug of water. Check ever there or four days skim if nessary or rebrine with same if evaporation occurs.takes three to four weeks at 75 degrees for fermentation to complete. Makes wonderful kraut every time.
Ross says
Alexandar
Did you try different flavores if so what was best
Ross says
Carola
Liked your recipe can I add spices like dill anise Birdseye peppers?
joep says
I use a Fido jar from Sur la Table. It keeps air out, but kets pressure out…love it!
Mike says
Awesome easy and fun recipee!
How long can the fermentation be perpetuated; indefinately? Just add new ingredients?
Mine is working great; just wondering how long I can keep it going.
Thanks!
Mike
Tim Johnson says
how about using plastic food rated buckets? The recipe I was told to use
5 lbs cabbage to 3 T of canning salt.
mixed real well, placed in bucket, put another bucket in with a gallon of water in a bag for weight
mix exery few days
Nick says
Hi There,
I just followed this recipe above (adding carrot as well).
As this is my first go, I am using a sealed jar with a metal hinged locking mechanism. I cleaned it throughly on returning from the stores today and then rinsed using hot water to remove the cleaning liquid residue from the tap which is in my case very hot, and then allowed to dry fully.
I was fully intending to steralize with boiling water, but I forgot in all the excitement of prepping the food and just realised when I sealed the jar that I had not done so.
Clearly there is more potential for contaminants and germs to have gotten in.
Will this spoil it?
Wondering whether to remove the contents to a differnet container (steralised), then clean the jar and return the contents?
Would really appreciate advice.
Cheers,
Nick
Sandy says
After this is complete and in Mason jars, can I can these to avoid cold storage, which I am short on space of? Thanks for what sounds like a great recipe!
susan says
Help. Is my sauerkraut safe? I shredded cabbage and packed it into a crock after mixing 3 tbsp canning salt with every 5lbs. Of cabbage. I put a dinner plate on top and weighted it down, then covered it with a cheesecloth like material using a large rubber band. After a few days, I un covered it so I could remove the sum off the brine (there was plenty of brine over kraut), and I found mold spores instead of a white scum. I removed them and recovered the crock. But every time I go to descum it, I find these mold spores instead. Is this going to be safe to can and eat. The kraut itself smells really good. It has been fermentng about4weeks now.
Steve Klebaur says
Thanks for a great article! I’ve found that the one time outlay of cash for a Harsch-type crock ( I have the Polish version, which works wonderfully) is well worth the cost for the time and labor it saves. Using one of these crocks with the water-lock moat at the top eliminates the need to open the crock at all, since it creates an anaerobic environment which doesn’t support mold growth.
Sharayah Arnold says
I am brand new to fermenting cabbage. Im on my first batch now. Using a 1/2 gallon mason jar with a 3 piece airlock system. I woke up this morning with liquid in the airlock system. Is this normal? The cabbage is on day 3.
Kelly says
Hi! I’m making my first batch of fermented sauerkraut (cabbage, beet, carrot, onion, garlic, caraway. I’m so excited! I just put them in glass containers , topped with water (1 tsp salt per cup , plus salt I added to mash) and then read somewhere you could top with oil to keep matter submerged under water. So, I melted some coconut oil and topped them off. It’s cold here, so solidified, but maybe due to gas, broke through coconut oil disc. Is that OK? Is any of it OK? I’m nervous about getting sick somehow from this. Need reassurance. 🙂 Thx.
Cindy Mac says
Searching for a way to get some probiotics into my poor insulted gut after a course of antibiotics–led me to your most excellent site and this intriguing idea—homemade sauerkraut-!
I live in West Africa, and our kitchen is always at least 80ºF — Would it be better for me to develop/cure it in my half-broken fridge instead?? (@ between 50ºF and 70ºF; only once in awhile does it get below that).
(we have a properly working fridge that I intended to keep it in after it was ‘done’) thank you.
Don Leggett says
Thanks for sharing… it made my mouth water for several minutes until I could get ahold of myself!!
Anyway, an elderly woman taught me years ago to put some of the outer leaves of the cabbage heads down at the bottom of the kraut container so that when all of the kraut has been eaten you get these fermented leaves to use for that hamberger/rice/tomatoe dish… you know you put some stuffing in them and roll them up and bake them. It’s a way delicious treat for when all of the kraut is gone in the crock!! Most people throw the outer leaves in the garbage or compost. If they only knew…
Adrienne says
BEST COMMENT YET, LEAVES IN THE BOTTOM YUM!
Carola says
I have made quite a few batches of sauerkraut, keeping it very simple. I shred the cabbage as finely as I possibly can, then put one teaspoon of salt (Kalahari or Himalayan crystal salt if I’m feeling generous, otherwise ordinary cheap table salt) in the bottom of each jar – I just recycle jam or peanut butter jars; anything with a good lid will do. For the bigger jars with the flat lid and ring (I think those are what you call Mason jars?) I may use a bit more than a (flat) teaspoon per jar. Then I in goes the shredded cabbage, and I squeeze it down and keep refilling & squeezing until it’s full to the brim, then I pour over boiling water to fill the gaps – squeeze a bit more, add a bit more cabbage if there’s space. Then another teaspoon of salt on top and seal the jar. Finally I write a date six weeks hence on the lid – that’s when it will be ready. I keep the jars at room temperature (I’m in South Africa, so no sub-zero room temperatures) in some place where it won’t matter if they leak, say on a plastic tray. The lids bulge out a bit after a few days/weeks, and sometimes some juice & smell escapes, but I don’t open the jars until I’m ready to eat the sauerkraut – which may be years later. If at that stage I find it’s too strong/salty, I simply rinse it a bit in water before serving. The ‘juice’ is apparently very healthy, so I keep any that’s left tin the jar and use it in salads etc when salt/vinegar is needed, or even to add a bit of moisture to stir-fries, preferably after frying to preserve the enzymes.
Carola says
That should be “in goes” not “I goes”. And I should add that the bulging lids go down again after a while, and sometimes the lump of cabbage in the jar contracts away from the walls when the pressure decreases. Sometimes the jars become difficult to open if the lids rust and/or a vacuum builds up inside, but that has never been a problem. Once opened, I keep the jar in the fridge. I’ve never had a problem with mould, or with kraut ‘going off’ in any way. Good luck! I’ve just inspired myself to make a new batch, as I’m on my last jar now.
Betty says
Carola, I have never tried before, but have an abundance of cabbage from the garden this year. I have lots of canning supplies, so I have plenty of mason jars with lids that will fit very tight… are the metal lids/rings ok to use?
Nathan says
Betty:
A bi-product of any fermentation is CO2. It is never recommended to ferment anything in glass jars that cannot vent. Go read through some homebrew forums about hand grenades from over-carbonated beers. Whatever you end up doing, make sure you have a way to vent your gasses or you are potentially creating hand grenade time bombs.
Steve says
I’m on the 4th week of my first kraut run using a Harsch Crock.
The climate in Colorado was such that I had to add water to the water grove every two days or so to keep the vent hole covered. Was originally worried that the water was being sucked into the crock but that was not the case. I guess when you have 10% humidity and use a wood stove that the dry air here sucks up the water.
Opened it today for the first time and looks good. Liquid covering the stones is clear with a trace of film on it (almost look like an oil sheen) and nearly the same lever as when I put the lid on. Now my questions – What to I do with the brine covering the stones? Should I siphon it off before taking out the stones? Should I try to get the film off so it will not contaminate the kraut?
As an engineer am I making it too technical or over thinking it and just take the stones out? 🙂
Thanks for your suggestions in advance.
Andrea Kruse says
I went to your ‘sources’ section to find crocks, but there was nothing there. Just “We saved this spot for you” for sponsors. Do you have any direct links to fermentation crocks? I have been looking for a good one for over 2 years. Mine is a pickle crock without a lid… would rather find one not open to the air. Thank you!
Jenny says
I’m sorry, Andrea. That link used to go to sources for fermentation crocks. I’ll fix it. This is the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UUT4CI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002UUT4CI&linkCode=as2&tag=foblti-20, and I purchased it with the weights.
Debbie says
made a small batch of fermented cabbage. It smells ok but it tastes bitter is that a problem?
Jeanne says
My mom and I made sauerkraut about a month ago. We made it the traditional crock and added salt but did not specifically measure the amount of salt added. We checked the cabbage yesterday and it is tender but not sour at all. Why is that?
Adam1 says
I have a question. I made kraut for the first time, and used a German style crock with the water well on top. When I packed in the kraut, there was over an inch of brine over the top of the kraut. I opened the crock 3 weeks later, to find what looks like nicely fermented cabbage on top, no mold, but no brine, either. Is it safe? What happened to the brine? I thought I’d even have MORE brine than when I first closed it up.
Alexandar says
Have you made lacto-fermented sauerkraut with juniper berries, or other interesting additions like sea vegetables? I’d love to start experimenting with different flavors and am curious about combos you may have tried and liked! P.S. I love your site. Thanks for all of the awesome and inspiring info!
Adele says
Juniper berries and sea veggies are good to add.
Mine is basic and delicious with only Fennel seeds and fresh dill weed.
You can experiment with beets (which will turn the kraut purple) and other veggies too.
Gary says
A great source for fermentation crocks is ACE Hardware. You can order 1-10 gallon crocks on line and pick them up at the local store. I got a 2 gallon one for under $30 and picked up a plate at a thrift store and use a quart jar filled with water on top to hold down the cabbage.
Margie Solochier says
We have made kraut 5 or 6 times before, but this season the kraut is not “tasty”. I wonder if we did not add enough salt. It tastes just ok, not much flavor and not salty or sour enough. Any ideas?
Mary Ann says
We made sauerkraut for the first time. We covered the sauerkraut with cheesecloth and weighed it down with a food grade plastic bag filled with brine. It smells okay but we haven’t seen any bloom and hope we did this right. Is it all right to lift the bag to peek or should we keep it covered until the end of the 4 weeks?
rdh says
We use an old kraut cutter. The best place to find this would be an antique store or auction. We slice it into a large crock, and the key for the best flavor is to add caraway seed, dill seed and cut up garlic and canning salt. It needs to be stomped to make the juice. We cut/slice the sauerkraut, stomp it, add the seed and garlic & salt. Then repeat layers until you get the crock 3/4 full. I have yet to taste better sauerkraut. When our crock is 3/4 full we double a garbage bag and put water inside the bag and set on top of the kraut. The key is not to let air get to the kraut. There may be some seapage coming from the top of the kraut overflowing onto the floor . This is ok. We put the kraut in a location (porch) where it’s ok and put a towel over the top of the garbage bag. It ferments for about a month. After this time I take the bags with the water off the kraut and there is very little or no waste on the top of the kraut. I then put it in jars and hot water bath it in either pint or quart canning jars.
larry says
I am going to make my first batch this weekend , has any body made it in a plastic bucket with a plastic bag that has 2-3″ of water in it for the seal ?
Darlene says
We use 5gal plastic buckets lined with unsented heavy tall kitchen garbage bags plate on top something heavy on top of the plate and bag filled with water,or gal jugs filled with water on top of the plate
carol says
rdh sept. 12
How much dill, caraway seeds, garlic, salt, cabbage do you use for a five gallon crock? This is our first time making sauerkraut, thanks for any help.
gwen says
I bought kraut at grocery store because I wanted to taste the version with caraway seed. My family didn’t like it. I’m glad we tried it before spending all that time making the recipe.
Melody says
Excellent choice for fermenting kraut! I do something similar and have had excellent results. I use a 8 gallon Red Wing crock (antique) and a old fashion kraut cutter that I nabbed from the 5 I have at my antiques store. I was able to cut up the 5 heads of cabbage in no time! I put the cabbage in the crock, salt it, mix well then add another layer and repeat the process. I didn’t have my kraut stomper at home so I resorted to using my fists to punch the kraut down. After 5-7 minutes I was tired so I used a pototo masher to pound it out. Even after it was fully pounded (this makes the kraut release it’s juices) I still didn’t have enough liquid to cover the cabbage so I boiled 4cups of water and added 2 TBS of pickling salt to the water and let it cool before pouring it over the cabbage. The key is to make sure that the cabbage is FULLY submersed in the brine. If you don’t do this you will have black mold and the batch will need to be tossed…unless you want to run the risk of an emergency room visit for food poisoning! Once the cabbage is submersed in the brine simply put a plate over the top of it and add some weight to it. I use a big jar filled with water to weigh the plate down. I then put a big towel over the top of it and let it ferment for about 4 weeks at about 70 degrees. The first 3 days are gloreous…not much odor but the ferment is taking place and you’ll find a scum (as some would call it) that you need to spoon off daily. Rather than call it scum I’d prefer to call it BLOOM! If you want to use a plastic bag filled with water to weight it down on top of the plate ,you better add salt to it in the event that the bag would leak and ruin your lovely batch! I personally think that fermenting in crocks is the only way to go, but to each their own. Some folks like to use jars but unless you have a way to vent the CO2 you could be looking at some real trouble with the back up of gas and mold spoiling your batch. An excellent resource on fermentation can be found in “Wild Fermenation” by Sandor Ellix Katz…he has 2 books out right now with a wonderful collection of recipes. I found mine on Amazon (used) for about $7.99 with shipping and handling! WooHoo!! Hope this helps!
james says
What if kraut is in a building at 40 to 50 degrees will that work
George says
Hi James.
…the first six days at 60°F, then 50°F is best (any room temperature will work). Do not add water or vinegar, you may add 2 tablespoon of white wine for start fermenting- caled wein sauaerkraut 🙂 and spices off your choice.
Good luck, George.
Sauerkraut to salty! Means it is too much salt “100 gram salt to 5 kg sliced cabbage is the basic” Mix salt with sliced cabbage roughly and put mix in a container. Put at least 3 layers of outer leaves on top and them a linen, wood and a clean rock. Wash rock, wood and linen once a week, (use hot water
Best regards George
Tina says
I have a question…. I haven’t made this yet but very interested………My question is after i make the sauerkraut to my liking can i can it??? and store it….thank u….
Shar says
George, or anyone……
Been making lots of fermented cabbage.
This time – the liquid is slimy.
What is up?
Can it be eaten or saved?
THanks, anyone….
TwoFatLadies says
No, slimey is a bad thing. Don’t eat slimy sauerkraut, pickles or any fermented food. Or canned food for that matter.
chris haddad says
do you have any idea why my brine is getting thick and slimy? this is my third batch,but the fist time this has occurred. I use an old crock,plate,weight and cover method. Sounds like you know a thing or two.Can you help?
chris
Ruth Hitz says
I too have made sauerkraut many times, but this time the broth is slimy. What did I do wrong?
Nathan says
There is no need to “stomp” or “mash” the cabbage to make it release its liquids. Salt will do that by itself. That said, I am not saying to not stomp or mash the cabbage, but doing so will affect the final consistency of your product. I personally do not like to mash the cabbage, just toss the cabbage with salt then weight it down with whatever clean & sterile weight you have laying around. In less than 12 – 24 hours your cabbage will be covered in liquids released from the cabbage.
Sheila Bates says
My saurerkrut is ready to can I can not recall how long to put in hot bath
Michelle says
15 minutes for a hot water bath. Canning does soften the end product because of the boiling. It’s still good though!
Jessi Dutton says
I am making my first ever batch of kraut. I am using my old crock from my grandmother. I’ve had it going about a week now. I do not smell an odor. Is that normal at this point? Also, I read that all I had to do was put in the kraut and salt water, smush it down and lay a clean kitchen towel over the top of the cabbage then to put a weight on top of that. I then laid another kitchen towel on top of that. Am I supposed to have a different lid/covering over top of it??
Doris says
I tried this and after 10 days, I have a layer of mold on top. I remember my mom telling me about Gramma scrapping the mold off and still using what’s underneath. Is this OK, safe to eat?
Elene says
this happened to me too! My kraut was submerged but green mold appeared on the top of the brine…can I just scoop off the mold?
Jerry says
You can scrape the mold off we have done it before if your prosess is done just get down to good clean stuff then eat or can.If not we have boiled 1 cup salt to 1cup of white vinegar to a gallon water. Cool down reaply for brine.
Gerald says
I’m using a traditional krout crock to make souerkrout, but having some odd occurances. While making the first batch there was much fluctuation in the water level in the traugh at the top of the crock that is supposed to keep air out. I kepts adding water and it kept going down within a day or so as if it was being sucked into the crock. Finally I opened the crock and the level of the brine covering the cabage had risen all the way up to the top and was mixing with the water in the traugh at the top. I’m trying again now and the water level seems to go down very quickly in the traugh as it did last time. What’s going on here? I’ve ckecked for flaws in the crock and there are none.
Marty says
Gerald: I add water every 3-5 days and only a very little amount. I cover my kraut with a 1″ thick board after I have covered the kraut with a black plastic trash bag. Example… kraut then bag then board. Then wrap the trash bag onto the top of the board and place a really heavy rock on top. I cut this board out at home. Make sure the board is 1/2″ smaller in diameter then the crock or it will swell and you will not get it out of the crock. Then cover the board/bag with salty water. This keeps a good seal and the water should stay on top.
TwoFatLadies says
To Marty
You have to watch using trash bags as they are not food grade plastic and my leach harmful chemicals into your food.
Dianne says
PBAs etc. are very harmful, good advice Marty…better to check with each company
Carol says
We just packed our first crock of sauerkraut and used a plastic bag fille with water for the weight. Overnight, the bag started leaking and added water to the mixture amounting to about 20% of the total volume. Do we have to toss it out and start over???
BILL MARSHALL says
When I use a plastic bag filled with water for a seal I add 1 Tbsp of pickling salt per quart of water in the bag in case the bag leaks it will not weaken the brine. If you have any idea of how much water you may have added to the brine by your bag leaking you can add salt to your brine as above. It should be ok. I normally also double the bags I use too in case of a leak.
Dan says
I pickle my peppershot – by washing them, packing them in a sterilized jar, covering with a solution of 5 cups water, 5 cups vinegar and 1 cup plus 2 T kosher salt, boiling so salt is dissolved and solution is sterile, capping with a boiled lid, then sealing with a seal-a-meal. After 3 weeks you have incredible picked peppers. Would this method work with sauerkraut as well?
Carol says
Fermentation causes gasses to build up, so NO, it would not work as the jars would break with the gas buildup.
linda says
I’ve just purchased a 10lb fermenting pot to turn my garden full of cabbage into saurkraut. I’m new to this and did’nt realise how long it would take to shred and pound 12 lbs of cabbage! I ran out of time (and energy) and only got to half fill the pot. Will it still work if the pot is only half full?
Marty Wiernusz says
Get a kraut cutter. You can buy them on Ebay or at auctions. I can do a head of cabbage in about 3 minutes. Very easy and the right size slices.
Jessi Dutton says
Linda, I am curious about the “half full” issue. My kraut has been in my 8 gallon crock for about a week now, but it doesn’t smell like kraut. I am only using a hand towel to cover over the crock and after reading some of these posts, I’m wandering if I need a different kind of lid. Oh, and I used my food processor to slice the cabbage. I did 25 pounds in no time!
dan stinchfield says
I have a 15 gallon crock I only had 36 pounds this year. But always use a garbage bag and fill it with gallon zip-lock bags full of water. The water hold trash bag down for a perfect seal pushes out against crock. Have used this method for last five years with great success. Also do not use scented garbage bags.
Peter Gilbert says
Hello,
We’ve got some 12″ to 16″ diameter crocks that we used to make sauerkraut. All looked good, water level up. We used a plate with a bag of water over it to hold it down. Then a cheesecloth and the lovely precious lid. There was always a concerning amount of mold floating on top of the water. Skimming it off gets most of it but leaves fragments of mold floating around. Could you elaborate on your experience with this please?
Thanks,
Peter and Meredith Gilbert
Jody says
I have the same question as Peter and Meredith (6/12/12). My last batch of sauerkraut had a thin layer of white mold on it that I could not skim off. I finally poured the top liquid off, which seemed like such a waste.
Any suggestions or comments?
Thanks, Jody
Marlene says
I made several different batches of homemade saurekraut and it is ok… but I have a craving for more tartiness so I added cider vinegar to a a bowl that I was eating and it was absolutely wonderful tasting,,, My sauerkraut is in mason jars in the fridge and I wont add the vinegar to that,, only as I eat it, but was thinking would the vinegar kills the good probiotics in the saurekraut?? am I defeating the purpose of homemade kraut??
Jenny says
There’s no reason to add vinegar to your sauerkraut – if you want it to be more sour, just let it ferment longer. \
susan krzmarcik says
Thank you. Was trying to figure out how to get it more sour. I testef at 5 wks and needs to be more sour. I have my 30lbs in an old crock passed on from generations. Msny memories when I make this and root beer.
Farmer Erika says
You can also add a bit of sugar to give your cultures a little more “food.” I used a sprinkling of sugar to my latest batch and between the heat and the sugar it soured fast! At 30 lbs of cabbage you could offer maybe a 1/3 cup and see if the flavor goes any more sour in the next week.
Philip Evans says
A teaspoon or two of sugar will surely put those little yeastie-beasties to work with a vengeance, converting sugars into whatever they consider necessary…
Linda says
This recipe calls for submerging the cabbage in liquid – what liquid?
Chris says
When you mix the salt with the shaved cabbage, the cabbage will become limp and begin to release water. When you pour the cabbage+salt mixture into your fermenting crock, the cabbage will release enough liquid that pressing all the air out will also press the cabbage under this released liquid.
Joe Savage says
I use an 6 gallon food grade plastic wine making bucket. I shave about 8 heads of cabbage w/ my mandolin. Then using my home made “masher” = 4×4 oak post w/ handle lathed like a baseball bat mash about 1/2 head until it is watery, then sprinkle a small palmfull of non iodized salt over the top. You do not want to use iodized as it will interfere with the fermentation. You continue mashing and salting untill the 8 heads are used up. The sliced cabbage getting pressed/mashed with the salt will result in a watery sliced cabbage mixture. If for some reason you cannot achieve enough liquid you can add 1 quart of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of pickling salt or sea salt (sea salt may have some impurities). Cover with a plate making sure the kruat is submurged. I use a piece or granite but have used a brick in a freezer bag or canning jar full of water to hold down the plate. I then cover the top of the bucket with plastic wrap and seal with a large rubber band or tape. I then store in a 45 – 65 degree area – basement or garage in fall for 4 – 10 weeks. Temperatures above 70 degrees will cause poor tasting microbs and mold. Cooler temps will just make it take longer
Check for mold and scum, testing and resealing once a week until done. When I am happy with the batch I pack into quart freezer bags and freeze.
In the middle of winter there is nothing like stuffing your crock pot with a few german sausages, pork (feet, tails, hocks)the kraut and beer.
Jo says
That sounds yummy but I thought if we cooked the sauerkraut, it destroyed all the good enzymes/probiotics?
I really don’t like eating it cold!
Jo
Philip Evans says
Yeah. Jo, you want the authentic German experience? Rinse de-crocked kraut quickly in cold water. Press between towels to remove most of the moisture. Melt a lot of butter (I use 1/2 butter, 1/2 coconut oil )in a deep skillet. Saute a few rough-chopped shallots and maybe a few cloves of mild garlic like elephant garlic until wilted. Add all the kraut, some dill and some caraway seed. Cook in the browned butter until the sauerkraut picks up a little of that noir. then add flour and brown with the aromatics. Add chicken broth and stir to a smooth sauce. Add a million different kinds of pork, smoked and not. Cover and braise until the pork is making you crazy and the kapusta is mellow and fragrant. Serve with tiny boiled potatoes and a good dijon mustard on the side. (Maille rustic seeded = the best). To really go Germanic, drizzle more butter all over and maybe a scoop of sour cream on the side. And sub homemade latkes for the boiled tates. Serve with bottles of Spaten Weissbeir or a nice Riesling or Moselle [German wines are enjoying a rebirth a long time in coming]. Living that way for a few days will completely alter your attitude toward the universe… mostly in a good way…
Bridgett says
Excuse me, but I am German and this is not how we make our Sauerkraut. Not sure where you got this from, but it is not the traditional German way at all. Sorry.
Stephen says
How do you make sauerkraut?
Judith says
I do have a nice size of garden, grow most of my own vegetables including lots of cabbage for juicing and kraut for winter. Tons of cabbage, pickling salt, caraway seed, bay leafs, black peppercorns and if I wish I could put whole small hot peppers in also. Use my mandolin, slide cabbage in long thin strips, mix with salt and spices, massage it until juice comes out and than place it in fermenting crock as tight as I can handle.
Cover crock with clean cloth, put a wide enough plate on it and I put a gallon milk jar full of water to keep it tight. Back in the old days, my great grandmother used a huge barrel with a screw top lid.
I keep an eye on the cabbage and wash the covering cloth every few days, cleaning the scum off the top too.
It tak s a few weeks (depending in temp) to be ready. At some point I start checking, tasting every day. Not just the top layer, but a bit under it too.
It supposed to be salty, sour, but not too… No matter what, I always rinse the kraut before cooking, if you not, it’ll be too salty, sour to eat cooked.
Raw is usually OK to snack on…
My grandmother (living in an apartment) made the same kind of kraut, but in a big – about 1/2 gallon – glass jar, and put a slice of toasted bread on top. In a warm place the kraut was ready in a few days, and tasted wonderful. Till today I’m making the summer pickles the same way with the toasted bread – brings old memories back. Oh, it should be “normal” bread, hearty, chewy and not sweet bread. Nowadays I’m using the no kneed bread for this. Hope, it was helpful even without measurement, since I don’t weight things.
wayne says
I have been corning meat as long as I can remember.My Mother and father were corning our hams and fermenting our vegetables before I was born.We corned brisket,hams,and used oak boxes for corning our bacon.I inherited all my folks crocks and receipts.I am at a age now where there is no one here to eat all the good things we made by hand.Just me and no need for a large garden any more.One thing my father used to say about our salt water brine for meat a potatoe has to float in it.All so we injected the hams with brine and rotated the hams every day.Every thing had to come together at the same time for smoking.We even brined our fish and smoked it all so.Our family all ways had the best to eat because we never forgot how to grow and prepare our own.I am glad to see some people relearning the good old ways.Mom live to be 98 dad lived to 101,my aunt 102,My sister is now 98,Iam right behind her.Farmers from the past.
Tina says
So glad I scrolled down far enough to find your recipe. Many thanks.
dieti says
In his own brine. Or if you have less brine than you need pour some salty water on the top.
Karen says
I made some cultured saurkraut and could not remove the lid (I used quart glass jars with metal lids). I may have added too much milk whey to the saurkraut. Is it possible it could explode? If so, how should I handle it (call a bomb sqaud or what?).
steve says
run warm water over the metal lid. it will expand and you will be able to open it – open over the sink – you may have a gas buildup!
Olivia says
With mine I get lots of air pockets building up throughout. Is this a problem? It pushes up above the brine and I struggle to keep it submerged. Any tips?
jenny says
Are you using a weight? Make sure to use a weight and also pack your crock *really* tight.
Olivia says
Thanks. I’m struggling to find a weight the right size. I’m not keen on sing a plastic bag. I find that air pockets form inside between the bits of cabbage over the days and push everything up. Are the air pockets ok as long as top of cabbage is still submerged under brine? Thanks for you tips.
rjejwrandy says
take a red brick and wash it and wrap it in plastic or a gallon zip lock freezer bag and fill it with water
r says
Find a plate that fits down in your crock and use a mason jar filled with water as a weight on top of the plate. This is how most of the old timers I know did it.
Pat Schoonover says
An inverted plate, the right size to fit well inside the crock, and a heavy object (I have a large, flat rock). I used this method when making 14-day pickles years ago.
Al says
Take a glass jar and fill it up with water.
Sam says
Just leave the kraut down about 4 inches in the crock put in a big piece of plastic tuck it down fill it with water bingo you got your weight and it can bubble around the edge of the crock between the crock and the plastic as it’s working
wayne says
Use a shot glass under the lid.
Laurie P says
I love making cultured veggies. Just so great to see you sharing this simple recipe with pictures as well as instructions. Just wondering about the glass jars with the air lock. Can’t seem to find a link to where to purchase them. May you have a great day!
Betsy says
Try looking into home windemaking suppliers for the airlocks. Wine also works better with an airlock. The point is to keep out any extra ‘wild’ yeasts I’m getting enthused but will start with a mason jar. good luck
Nancy Logan says
You can make your own natural ‘saran wrap’ by using cotton muslin and beeswax. It will allow gases to escape and keep dust out of your crock. If you google it, it comes up under 17 cool and unusual uses for beeswax.
Betsy says
I meant to type in Winemaking. sorry
Stephen says
I got mine from Pickl-It.
wayne says
Amazon sells every thing you need for fermenting,brewing beer,wine making ect.
victoria says
I made a new batch with 1 head of regular green cabbage and 1 tablespoon salt packed into a large mason jar. The smell is atrocious! The first few days the jar leaked and I had to open it to relieve the pressure, there was a lot of foam. It has calmed down now and smells terrible. The juice tastes very very sour. Am I doing this right!?!?
jenny says
If it smells like someone let a wicked fart loose in your kitchen, you’re on the right track. 😉 It should taste very sour, but once it achieves the sourness you like, move it to the fridge or it will continue to become more and more sour. Be careful about tightening the lid too much, as the CO2 can build up.
victoria says
It does sound like the right track then, because that’s exactly what it smells like! I’m soo glad this second batch worked out—I think I used too much salt for that last batch and I read that too much salt will prevent fermentation. Thanks for the feedback!
Steve Horsfall says
It’ll continue to become sourer in the fridge as well, just more slowly. I recently spent 9 weeks in hospital, and when I got home, the two jars in the fridge were still perfectly edible, but much sourer than before.
Ayala says
That is exactly what mine smells like too, and I thought I was doing something wrong…this is my first try at saurkraut. It looks good so far..no brown or pink or slime or mold, but that odd smell ….thanks for the reassurance!
David L. Sheets says
Leave 2 inches of air space and don’t tighten lid too tight, just finger tight.
Set it in you garage or somewhere that is darker.
Marly says
What do you use to shred your cabbage? I have been wanting to try this for some time now and have never gotten to it.
Jenny says
I do it the old-fasioned way: sharp knife and a ciutting board.
r says
Mandolin slicer. You can also get a kraut cutter online. This makes is faster.
Pat Schoonover says
These slicers are available at Bed, Bath & Beyond. We bought one about a year ago.
Madison says
You can also get an attachment for your kitchen aid!
Steve Horsfall says
I use a food processor, and shred the stalks as well – waste not, want not.
dan stinchfield says
I use a meat slicer
Philip Evans says
My 13″ chef’s knife and the big bamboo workspace. But if you get in the kapusta zone, watch those fingertips.
Dean L says
A mandolin, I like mine fine
David L. Sheets says
I have an antique cabbage shredder. Cuts it real fine and thin and is real quick and easy.
victoria says
I made this two weeks ago but my kraut is still very very salty and not sour at all. I used 1 chinese cabbage head and 1 tablespoon sea salt and packed it into a mason jar since I had nothing else.
Rita Sleys says
Too much salt to cabbage. I use only 1 *teaspoon* of sea salt for each quart mason jars worth of cabbage and it starts bubbling and fermenting within a few hours.
Steve Horsfall says
I use 2% salt by weight, which seems to work well, though some recipes say twice that. I’ve just started a new batch, with 4kgs cabbage, and 80gms sea-salt.
George says
Hi Victoria.
Sauerkraut to salty! Means it is too much salt 🙁 “100 gram salt to 5 kg sliced cabbage is the basic” Mix salt with sliced cabbage roughly and put mix in a container. Put at least 3 layers of outer leaves on top and them and linen, wood and a clean rock. Wash rock, wood and linen once a week, (use hot water
Best regards George
Lois says
I use The Perfect Pickler for my kraut. I have never had a bad batch and it take approximately 7 days to turn a head of cabbage and sea salt into wonderful kraut.
sam says
i am doing kraut right now..could u tell me what u did to get it done in7days thank you fron manitoba.canada
LARRY VOLK says
your cabbage will never be properly fermented in less than 4 weeks. It has to go through all the fermentation stage to have good pro-biotics. In 7 days you have nothing more healthy for you than boughten sauerkraut.
Philip Evans says
boughten?
You mean purchased at a local retail outlet, right?
Robin says
Hi, I just started a batch of Kraut 2 days ago. I have checked it daily and today it had White bubbles so i removed them and the juices seemed slimmy. Is that normal? I also used a recipe that was for sweet Kraut that included sugar. I have pressed on the inverted plate and expressed more bubbles do I need to throw it out?
Jenny says
Hi Robin, it doesn’t sound like you used this recipe so that makes it difficult to troubleshoot it for you. It also doesn’t sound like you used a fermentation crock. Without a crock, ferments are more likely to become contaminated by molds, yeasts and stray microbes, which can result in slimy texture and off flavor.
Kim R says
I can mine at 6 wks, nothing more-nothing less. Perfect kraut, everytime…
Glenda says
I have never heard of the perfect pickler where can you buy this.
Thank you
wayne says
You can buy the pickler on the Amazon web site,Amazon handles all kinds of products for the home fermenter and canner,beer brewer,wine maker.
Ian solms says
Hey tell us how
Karen says
in general, I start my ferments off with approximately 3 TBSP sea salt for every 5 Lbs cabbage. Just remember to weigh the thing at the store (or be sure to save your receipt) before you buy, or at the farmers market, just find someone with a scale to check it out.
Toldscot says
Chinese Cabbage ?? How did that work out ??
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Thank you for posting this! I live in Buffalo where you can’t call yourself a Buffalonian unless you eat Kraut. I’m always “suspicious of the stuff you can buy out and at restaurants….just sick of getting food poisoning!!! So I’m eager to try your much intriguing spin. Thanks! Not afraid of salt here.
Kay says
2 weeks is too soon to check. Give it 8 weeks before opening the jar.
David L. Sheets says
Too much salt and loosen lid so it can breath. Do not over pack jar. In your case I leave 2 inches of air space so that it doesn’t bleed out of jar all over everything. I just did 3 cabbages and am putting it in stoneware crock, whole cabbage leaves on top a plate and a brick to keep it from expanding and gaining air inside.
David L. Sheets says
I also cover crock with something to keep knats and other insects out.