Easy Sauerkraut Recipe

This easy sauerkraut recipe is so quick to make! You will love having homemade sauerkraut for all your favorite meals like hot dogs, Polish sausage, pork chops, and Reuben sandwiches. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and requires only 3 ingredients for a sauerkraut that tastes AMAZING!

Sauerkraut is such a delicious recipe ingredient. It has a lovely, tangy flavor, and you can make it with or without sugar, so almost everyone loves it.

I've been making this fermented cabbage for years, and I've put it on everything from hot dogs to my Reuben sandwiches and various appetizers and other things. 

Over the years, I've seen and tried a lot of sauerkraut recipes. Most of them involve a lot of waiting, but NO MORE! I have a quick sauerkraut recipe that's ready in just minutes and tastes just as good as the stuff that much longer to make.

This cabbage recipe was inspired by my sweet Grandma's coleslaw and jalapeno coleslaw.

Why You Will Love This Quick Sauerkraut Recipe

This quick homemade sauerkraut has all the great flavor of the traditional recipe but with far, far less time and effort.

• Beginner-Friendly Sauerkraut Recipe. All you need are three ingredients to make a homemade sauerkraut that's easy enough for anyone to prepare.
• Customizable Recipe. Add your favorite spices and vegetables to change it up.
• Budget-Friendly. Making sauerkraut at home costs less than purchasing store-bought versions.
• Versatile Dish. The tangy, sour taste of sauerkraut adds flavor to various dishes, such as sandwiches, salads, and casseroles.

Ingredients

I'm going to show you how to make sauerkraut fast! This recipe only requires three ingredients and you can find them at any grocery store, so it's easy to pull together a batch at a moment's notice. 

• Cider Vinegar: I have tried other vinegars and prefer apple cider vinegar for its mild flavor and slight sweetness.
• Sugar: Taste before adding as some don't feel it's needed.
• Coleslaw Mix: Using store-bought coleslaw mix makes things a lot easier! You can of course use a head of green cabbage and slice it up yourself. Try out a batch with red cabbage for a slightly different flavor and lots of color. Make sure your cabbage is firm with no visible damage or discoloration. Discard any damaged outer leaves and use a sharp knife to cut the cabbage thinly.

That's a short list, right? Just vinegar, sugar, and coleslaw mix are all you need to make super tasty and super FAST homemade sauerkraut. Prefer a more traditional style of sauerkraut? Try this red cabbage sauerkraut recipe by my friend at CookEatLiveLove.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change your batch of quick sauerkraut.

• Add Heat: Add some chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, a pinch of jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the sauerkraut for a bit of heat.
• Add Spices and Herbs: Adding caraway seeds is a classic choice. Adding one or two of your favorite spices like ground coriander, turmeric, black pepper, garlic powder, dill, thyme, rosemary, and basil to taste can also be great additions.
• Add Fruits: Throw in a diced Granny Smith apple or pear for a change. It also adds a bit more sweetness.
• Add Vegetables: Diced red onions, shredded carrots, or diced sweet peppers are definitely worth a try.

How to Make Sauerkraut Fast

Making this quick sauerkraut recipe is as simple as the ingredient list. Everything comes pre-packaged. You don't even have to cut up your own cabbage! Here's what you need to do.

1. Bring vinegar and sugar to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir it to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage to the pot.

3. Cover the pot and cook until the coleslaw giving it a stir occasionally.
4. Remove the lid and simmer until the liquid has evaporated - about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

That's all there is to it! Is that easy or what? A little boiling, a little simmering, and about 15 minutes is all it takes! Transfer it to a jar and store it in the fridge.

Hint: Don't leave the cabbage unattended once you remove the lid to allow all liquid to evaporate as the cabbage may burn.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our old fashioned cabbage kielbasa and bacon.

Storage

This sauerkraut can be stored for up to a couple of months in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed mason jar or other air-tight container. The great thing about sauerkraut is that all you have to do is give it the smell test.

If it smells good, it is good. For longer storage, you can freeze this sauerkraut for up to a year. It actually freezes incredibly well with no discernable difference in texture or flavor upon defrosting.

How to Serve Sauerkraut

• As a Topping. Serve this sauerkraut with hot dogs, Bratwurst, or Kielbasa sausage on top! They also go great with pierogies.
• Side Dish: Serve sauerkraut as a side dish with roasted potatoes, carrots, and onions or these air fryer baby potatoes.
• Sandwiches. Add a layer of sauerkraut to your favorite pastrami sandwich, corned beef sliders, Reuben sliders, or in this Reuban crescent ring.
• Paired with Home Cooked Meals. It's especially tasty with pan-fried pork chops, old-fashioned pork roast, and baked honey mustard ham.
• Corn Beef: Enjoy it with air fryer corned beef, Instant pot corned beef, or added to this corned beef stew.

Tips and Recipe FAQs

• Use fresh cabbage for the best results.
• Don't leave the cabbage unattended once you remove the lid to allow all liquid to evaporate so the cabbage doesn't burn.

Give This Easy Homemade Sauerkraut a Try

This homemade sauerkraut recipe is the easiest you'll ever find. It only takes a few minutes, and there's no effort involved at all outside of boiling and simmering. It couldn't be simpler! It's also absolutely delicious.

It's so quick and easy, you owe it to yourself to give it a try if you're a sauerkraut lover. You'll never find an easier recipe, and you'll never find a tastier one, either. Try it and find out for yourself!

Video

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Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

This post was originally published July 2021. It has been updated with new images and content.