42 Recipes With Sauerkraut (BEST Ways To Enjoy Sauerkraut) (2024)

This compilation features 42 amazing recipes with sauerkraut, from savory entrees to sweet treats.

Sauerkraut is a food that is closely associated with German cuisine.

It is made from finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented for weeks and is stored in a jar or tight container.

Sauerkraut is crunchy with a distinctive sour flavor and is used as a topping for braised brats, savory burgers, and layered sandwiches.

It can also be a zesty addition to salads, or it can be cooked along with sausages, mustard, and apples.

Although this fermented food has an acquired taste, recently, a lot of people are starting to enhance its flavor with spices and herbs.

It can be prepared with onions, garlic, and chili, giving it a salty and spicy kick.

Since it is meant to have a long shelf life, you don’t have to worry about it spoiling anytime soon, and you can just scoop it out whenever you have a dish that needs it.

So open that jar of kraut and experiment with it by following these unique and tasty 42 sauerkraut recipes we gathered for you.

From burgers, pizzas, and casseroles to cakes and cookies, these recipes are the ideal blend of old soul and modern flair.

If you want an after-meal delight, check out #11 and #40.

Recipes With Sauerkraut

This hearty comfort food dish uses a filling of rice, ground meat, and thick tomato sauce flavored with crispy bacon and sauerkraut.

This traditional Hungarian recipe, also called Toltott Kaposzta, is delicious and light, so you won’t feel guilty when indulging in it.

It is best paired with toasted white bread and sour cream.

This casserole has a special zing with layers of tomato soup, sausage, peppers, and sauerkraut tied together.

Although noodles are often used to prepare this dish, you can also go for rice or potatoes, depending on your preference.

The texture and flavors are well balanced, and you will be blown away by the sweet, earthly taste, with just a bit of bitterness.

If you are a fan of the Reuben sandwich, its casserole version is a must-try.

All of the flavors of the famous German sandwich are present, with layers of pastrami, rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and special sauce stuffed inside one big pot.

This casserole will surely impress your family and guests.

Kapusniak, or Sausage Sauerkraut Soup, is full of rich flavors that are perfect on days when you need to sip on something to warm you up.

Chunks of potatoes, onions, pan-fried sausages, and carrots are simmered in bone broth and seasonings.

Not only does it make for a fantastic dinner, but it can also help ease your hangover.

How do you make a simple meatloaf unforgettable and irresistible?

Add sauerkraut into the mix.

This updated version of the classic dish will leave you reaching for seconds.

A lot of people love a good corned beef sandwich, but even though it is already incredible as is, you can still make a bit of changes flavor-wise and give it some tang.

This sandwich features corned beef stuffed in rye bread.

It is topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and slathered with mustard for a more interesting take.

You can also experiment with this sandwich by changing the type of bread used or using your favorite type of cheese.

This avocado sandwich is crunchy, tangy, and creamy, with hummus stuffed between slices of pumpernickel bread and grilled until crispy.

It is a vegetarian twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, and it is so good that you won’t miss the cheese or meat in this dish.

It is ideal for a hearty lunch or a quick dinner.

This pork chop recipe is delicious and filling that your whole family will undoubtedly enjoy.

Pieces of boneless pork chops are baked with potatoes, sauerkraut, apples, and caraway seeds until tender and juicy.

They are prepared alongside mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, or white rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

Level up your mashed potatoes by adding bits of smoked ham and sauerkraut in them.

You can eat this dish as is, or you can serve it as a side for main courses that feature turkey, beef, or pork.

Wake up to these mouthwatering pancakes made with sauerkraut, sliced potatoes, and several fresh herbs.

These pancakes are crunchy, delectable and are oozing with zest.

You can add butter on top or chopped parsley.

This Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake is soft and moist and will catch the attention of chocolate lovers.

Adding this fermented cabbage to a dessert may seem strange, but it works really well.

It adds liquid to the batter, giving the cake some springiness.

Also, the tanginess of the sauerkraut complements the sweetness of the chocolate frosting.

Slovenia Jota, or Sauerkraut and Bean Stew in English, is a simple and decadent Slovenian dish with smoky meat, chewy beans, and thick sauce.

The balance of sourness, sweetness, and saltiness makes it a great pair to toasted bread or rice.

This tuna salad sandwich is a great go-to recipe for times when you have extra sauerkraut on hand.

It is also very versatile because you can swap the slices of bread with tortillas, crackers, or a bed of lettuce.

You can also top it with your favorite vegetables like tomatoes, sprouts, red onions, cucumbers, and more.

Kielbasa, a popular smoked German sausage, tastes heavenly when served on a bed of warm sauerkraut.

This meal is easy to make and can be cooked in a crock pot, skillet, or oven, so it is the ideal dish to prepare on busy weeknights.

Open that beer bottle, sit back, and relax while munching on these Reuben brats drizzled with a special sauce with sauerkraut, pickles, and mayonnaise.

Sandwiched between two hotdog buns, these brats are fun and filling snacks!

If you’ve got any leftover pork roast and a jar of sauerkraut in your pantry, then this is your chance to try this recipe.

With seasoned slices of roast sitting in a bed of sauerkraut, apple slices, and onions, this meal will be the star at your next holiday gathering.

Remember to serve it with a bowl of pork and beans or mashed potatoes.

This classic comfort food has a dough that can easily complement any topping, including sauerkraut.

With bacon, eggs, mustard, and seasonings added, this pizza comes out juicy and savory, with no overpowering flavors.

You will appreciate every bite.

Sloppy Ottos is Germany’s answer to America’s Sloppy Joes.

The loose meat sandwich has tons of flavor, with spicy brown mustard, sauerkraut, and sausages nestled between toasted buns.

Tangy, meaty, and unbelievably delicious, Sloppy Ottos make for a fantastic addition to your brunch menu.

This recipe features tangy goodness all bundled up in an appetizing roll that will get your hips swiveling and your feet dancing with delight.

This strudel brings all the amazing taste of onions, garlic, and aromatic spices in a flaky tortilla, then it is baked to perfection for a hearty appetizer or main course.

Get your crock pot ready for this succulent, tender pork dish that has been sweetened with apples.

Each bite is bursting with goodness and is luscious enough to eat on its own, but you can eat it with mashed potatoes and applesauce for a complete dinner.

Although it may seem like an unlikely combination, sauerkraut, and potatoes are blended together in a lot of European recipes, and an example is this Dutch version of the traditional mashed potato.

With the addition of sautéed onions and sauerkraut, this mashed potato has a tangy twist and works really well alongside your favorite meat dishes such as chicken, roasts, and meatloaf.

If you love a good backyard grill out, why not swap the usual burgers and hotdogs with these cheesy brat sliders instead?

It has all the great flavors that you love in a backyard dinner placed in between buttery Hawaiian buns.

Complete the meal by adding French fries or onion rings on the side..

Another excellent side dish on the list, this Sauerkraut Salad can satisfy nearly every flavor craving that you have, from sour, salty, and sweet.

It complements almost any dish, and the longer it sits, the better it tastes.

A hot dog is not a hot dog until it is topped with condiments, and what is decided to be placed on them can get contested.

There is always the debate between ketchup versus mustard, but beyond that, relish and sauerkraut will always sound right.

For this recipe, the delicious and fun combination of sweet pickle relish, sugar, and mustard is the easiest way to get a lot of hotdogs in one go.

Making waffles with sauerkraut is a clever way to enjoy breakfast.

This recipe features loads of fermented shredded cabbage mixed into a batter of eggs and wheat flour and topped with anything that you like, such as beef, sliced pork, bacon bits, or ham.

This dish suits those who are not keen on eating anything sweet in the morning.

The East meets the West in this amazing fusion.

The authentic Korean dish is mixed with sour fermented cabbage and sprinkled with crispy bacon bits.

It may be strong in smell and flavor, but the combination of all the ingredients is just heavenly.

Taco Tuesdays will never be the same once you’ve tasted these tangy chicken tacos.

The blend of lemon and pepper chicken and sauerkraut complements the nuttiness of corn tortillas.

Finish them off with shredded cheese and chipotle sauce.

These fish tacos contain spicy cabbages, cheesy Swiss queso dressing, and seasoned mahi mahi fish.

They are scrumptious, delightful, and pleasantly bite-sized, and they will surely go into regular rotation in your house.

This pie is an all-in-one dish that has wonderful layers topped with a crunchy biscuit dough crust that beautifully seals in moisture and flavor.

This pie is tangy and savory, with the quintessentially German taste of sauerkraut as the recipe’s star.

This St. Patrick’s Day staple is an easy comfort food recipe that is loaded with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and rye bread.

You will fall in love with this meaty casserole and how cheesy the crust is.

Sauerkraut and Bacon Quiche will tickle your tastebuds in the best way.

It is soft in the center with crusty sides and overflowing with bacon bits and cabbages.

It is a great addition to the brunch table, and it is also a fantastic snack.

Sauerkraut adds the characteristic sharpness of a good rye bread without preparing a starter that can take weeks.

This bread recipe assures a moist and crisp crust that will turn out gratifying after it is baked.

Just like any typical bread, you can eat this with any meal, soup, or spread that you like.

Another meat that suits the piquancy of this fermented cabbage is chicken.

The meat’s natural juiciness, combined with the cabbage’s tartness, makes it one irresistible dish.

The depth of flavor in this dish is phenomenal, and the slow cooking time that braising requires for the beef results in fork-tender meat.

Pair it with cheesy polenta, fresh salad, or toasted garlic bread, and you have a superb date night meal.

The blend of eggs and fermented cabbage equates to brunch magic.

This version of a frittata is like a quiche but without the crust.

All of the ingredients are nested in a silky and soft custard base that can be placed on top of toasted bread or a bed of warm rice.

Fried Sauerkraut is a traditional appetizer at pubs.

It is fried until crispy and is added to all sorts of meals, like roasts and Buddha bowls.

It is also an astounding side dish for potatoes, sausages, grilled cheese, and eggs.

These baked egg cups are easily whipped up with chopped broccoli, grated cheese, and sauerkraut for finger-licking goodness.

These cups are tremendous and a diner-inspired indulgence that is terrific with bread.

These oven-baked crackers have a nice flaky texture.

Aside from sauerkraut, it also includes flour and lard and is seasoned with salt and caraway seeds.

These crackers are meant for those who are not into sweet snacks and those looking for something unique to pair their afternoon tea with.

Pierogi are among the most popular types of Polish dumplings.

You can choose the filling that you want, and for this recipe, the dumplings are stuffed with cheese and sauerkraut.

They can be boiled or fried, and they make a fabulous appetizer or light dinner.

Who can resist a mouthwatering slice of pie?

Whether it is sweet or savory, you will be reaching out for it on the table.

But it is especially loved if it has a puff pastry and is jammed with ingredients that will blow your socks off.

Served with a Russian dressing for dipping, this pastry is flavorful and not overpowering.

A stew of smoked lamb, tomatoes, sauerkraut, and sausages is an impressive way to feed a crowd.

Often eaten with wild rice, the addition of fermented cabbage compliments the soup and smoked meat.

Level up those steamed Chinese buns by stuffing them with sauerkraut before incorporating them into a hot pot with pork belly and mung bean noodles.

This results in an amazing flavor profile that you will crave repeatedly.

The bottom line

Sauerkrauts may not be for everyone, but that does not mean they can’t be added to tried and tested recipes.

From main courses to desserts, this cabbage dish will enhance the quality of any dish.