How To Make Sauerkraut
How To Make Sauerkraut
Amazon Associate: I make qualifying sales.
Print Recipe
How to Make Sauerkraut. A step-by, pictured tutorial for making your own sauerkraut. You can make fermented sausagekraut in no time at all!
Sauerkraut is something I grew up with. This stuff was ingested regularly by my German mom. Germany has many ways to enjoy sauerkraut, from fresh in the fridge or cooking it with a variety of other ingredients. Raw fermented sauerkraut was always readily available in our local health food stores. Mom and I went regularly to Reformhaus. The refrigerated section had a huge vat full of fresh sauerkraut. We could get as much or as little as needed in the small bags. The sauerkraut would be sipped as we strolled through the shopping center, and the remaining portion was taken home to enjoy. This ancient skill has been making a comeback in recent years both overseas and in the U.S., with a growing number of people learning how to ferment their own foods.
The Latest Videos
Roasted Pumpkin Humus. I have fermented many vegetables, grains legumes, dairy products, and other foods for well over a decade. It's a rewarding endeavor that yields deep satisfaction. It's the right time to learn how to make sauerkraut.
Sauerkraut is the ideal place for anyone who wants to learn fermentation!
The many advantages of probiotics are well known and it's likely that you have already been aware. You probably know that making your own sauerkraut is the best and easiest way to get a broad range of probiotics. The selection of probiotics you can take is limited to only a handful. Researchers have found that homemade fermented sauerkraut can contain up to 28 distinct strains. No probiotic pill can replicate that. It is impossible to determine how many bacteria are still living in probiotic supplement.
Make your own fermented sauerkraut to benefit from many probiotic strains. You also get plenty of strong, live and healthy ones.
Specialized Sauerkraut Making Equipment (Optional)
You might also want to invest in equipment that is more durable (e.g. airlock lids).
Mold spores/yeasts can be prevented from reaching the jar by using airlock lids. The lids automatically release pressure when the vegetables ferment, so that you do not have to open the jar every day to let it release. A regular lid won't cause a jar to explode if it isn't released or the lid is too tightly fitted.
Sauerkraut Crocks-These come in many sizes depending on how big your batches are. A few crocks are packaged in a set with a weight, tamper, and other accessories.
Sauerkraut Tamper/Pounder. These come in either stainless steel or wood.
How To Make Sauerkraut
Jump to Recipe Make your own sauerkraut. It is much easier than you might think. You'll get probiotic benefits and a kitchen DIY project. How to make sauerkraut: A simple guide.
Then we thought: "What DIY projects might we be able to do?" We came across homemade sauerkraut. Homemade sauerkraut can be made in a matter of minutes and is a great addition to any dinner. Alex and me have done the extensive research for you. Ready to get started
What Is Sauerkraut?
Ok, what then is sauerkraut. The basic definition of sauerkraut is: a finely chopped, fermented and raw cabbage. Lacto-fermentation is the process that makes sauerkraut. This process also produces kimchi. All you need are salt, vegetables and water. The result is one of our favorite cabbage recipes. It's a lactic bacteria that is naturally found in vegetable. It works by turning sugars to lactic acid during fermentation. Lactic acid is a natural preservative that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria. While fermentation preserves food, it increases the vitamin level and digestibility of any fermented product.
Tools For Making Homemade Sauerkraut
Now let's move on to the recipe for sauerkraut. Alex has done all of the research necessary to locate exactly what is needed for your home fermentation experiments. Below is a list of what you will need.
One quart mason jar with wide mouth – This jar is large enough to hold a 3-pound head of cabbage.
Fermentation cover and helix-weight: A helix-weight is used to lower the cabbage in order that it does not sink during fermentation. Fermentation lids are made with airlocks which allow gases from fermentation to escape, but don't let bacteria in. Alternative options include using a fermentation stone for weighing the cabbage. After that, wrap a cheesecloth around the mouth of your jar and attach it to the container with a rubber band. If you are serious about fermentation, these weights and lids will be a great option.
You can use this as a cocktail muddler to fill the jar with sauerkraut.
It's that simple! The cost of a kitchen diy project is very low. Let's get to the good stuff. Keep reading.
Sauerkraut Making Tips
We'll start by sharing some helpful tips with you before we move on to the actual recipe. These are some of the things that we have learned about making sauerkraut.
Our easy way to shred cabbage is: This is how to cut cabbage. These problems include cabbage falling apart, the knife sliding, and uneven pieces. That's what we did. Until this was our experience:
How to properly cut cabbage
A room temperature cabbage is recommended. It may seem silly but the time it takes to squeeze the shredded cabbage is approximately 10 minutes. The worst thing about putting your hand into cold cabbage is to freeze it! You can do it easily by keeping the cabbage at room temperature.
Take a large amount of squeezes. The squeezing part takes quite a long time, and your hands may get tired. Take a break if you need to! This is where the cabbage should be at sauerkraut texture. The fermentation won't allow that. You can now squeeze! It will be amazing how much 3 pounds cabbage can reduce into just a handful of cups.
Utilize fermentation lids with weights (depicted above). These weights help keep the sauerkraut hydrated in the jar to prevent it from molding. They're our favorite tip. Let the fermentation begin by storing the container in an area that is dark and warm.
Taste starting on Day 6. Each environment is unique, and you will need to try different flavors until you discover the right flavor. It can take anywhere from 6 to 12 days, but we usually find it good as soon as Day 7.
This recipe is…
Vegetarian, dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, plant-based and vegetarian.
You can print the solid icon "How to make sauerkraut" (Easy DIY)
Prep Time: Just 15 Minutes
Cook Time:
Total Time 15 minutes
Yield: 1 quart 1x Print Recipe
Instructions
Slice the cabbage. Mix the chopped cabbage in a bowl.
You're ready to go! Here's the fun part: Massage the cabbage with your hands for 8 to 10 minutes until cabbage is limp and large amount of liquid is released (the liquid will be used in the jar during fermenting). You can massage the cabbage until you get sauerkraut texture. If your hands get tired, take a break! It's amazing how much cabbage can be transformed into only a handful of cups of sauerkraut.
Add the caraway seeds. You can then place the seasoned chopped cabbage in a 1 quart mason-jar. The liquid should remain in the bowl.
Pour the liquid released from cabbage into the jar. To ensure that the cabbage remains submerged, top it off with the fermentation lid and the helix-weight. Another option is to weight down the cabbage using the fermentation stone. Then, use a rubber band or a cheesecloth cover to permit airflow.
Keep the sauerkraut in a dry, dark place for between 6 and 12 days. On Day 6, you can begin to taste the sauerkraut. When you have achieved a "sour taste" that you like, transfer the sauerkraut to the fridge. It will keep for several months. Ours lasts until Day 7. Take care not to let mold grow on the sauerkraut. Make sure all of the cabbage is submerged to avoid the mold.
Category: DIY
Fermented
How long do you need to let the ferment sit?
When you bake, there's a clear finish time. You must take them out of oven at the alarm sounding its alarm or they will burn. However, fermented veggies have a greater depth of flavor.
It is important to verify that the fermentation process has actually begun. So, you'll want to look for signs of microbial activity. You can expect bubbling and foaming within three to five days depending on the temperature of you kitchen. You'll notice bubbles begin to form when fermentation has begun.
But how do you know when it's done?
Sauerkraut that tastes pleasant is called fermentation complete. It should be sour, similar to vinegar but more subtle.
You can eat it if there is active fermentation. Let it ferment until it has a deep, rich flavor. And just transfer it to the fridge when it tastes right to you.
Consider the following when calculating fermentation times:
The fermentation process of food in colder climates is slower, which may mean that your sauerkraut will take longer.
How Much Salt Do You Put In One Head Of Cabbage Sauerkraut?
April 1, 2020
What Should Sauerkraut Fermentation Last For?
Fermentation Temperature, Time, and Management At these temperatures, sauerkraut will be fully fermented in about three to four weeks; at 60 to 65degF, fermentation may take six weeks. Below 60degF, sauerkraut may not ferment. Above 80degF, sauerkraut could become soft or spoil. May 27, 2021
Sauerkraut from Home: Can it be cooked?
Sauerkraut cooked in any way will kill probiotics. So if your objective is to reap the benefits of the probiotics, eat it raw and unfrozen. If your objective is simply to enjoy it cooked as a delicious food (and delicious it is! However, you'll still be able to reap its nutrients and fiber. Jan 2, 2020
Vinegar: How Does It Impact Sauerkraut
Vinegar can instantly give your vegetable fermentation a sour taste. August 31, 2016,
