Sauerkraut and Apples Recipe (2024)

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BNH

Left out the bacon to make it vegetarian. Added another couple of tablespoons of butter to replace the bacon fat. It was outrageously good.

JM

Yup, I grew up in Maryland. And yes we always had sauerkraut with turkey. And most people think we're nuts. So thank you for the validation and for this great recipe.

Very nice

We always had sauerkraut at family festivities in NY. Usually made with kielbasa. We still make it for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. But, today, I had a pork tenderloin and wondering what to do with it? A quick look in the fridge: I have half a red onion, 3/4 jar kraut, Apple Cider beer, and apples on the counter. Brown the tenderloin, sauté the onions, apples, kraut, etc... and follow the rest of the recipe. Throw the browned pork on top and into the oven. Voila! Easy peasy.

Carajo

If you rinse the sauerkraut-as called for in the recipe-it will diminish the flavor. I made that mistake once. You may want to give it another try without rinsing, and leave out the bacon if you don't like it. ALSO-grate the peeled apples and onions.

Ann

Mashed potatoes mixed with kraut on your plate...divine!

Ann

Always kraut with turkey. Grew up in MD too!

Ann

My grandmother used to make this, usually without bacon. I hated the apples because I love the tartness of kraut. I'd add ACV to cut the sweetness from the apples. She used to make some separately just for me saying that's how she liked it but everyone else didn't. Miss her. I make my own sauerkraut from scratch now. Wonderfully lacto-fermented. Grammy would have proud!

Eileen

This is great. Reminds me of Grandma. I used hard apple cider instead of beer and it came out great. Baked it with good sliced smoked sausage on top.

deborah

Excellent exactly as written. However, I did follow one person’s suggestion to shred the onion and apple. And another person’s suggestion to not rinse the sauerkraut. Rinsing the sauerkraut takes away the probiotic goodness of it and the sour flavor.

Mark

It's delightful as is, and, as noted, great substituting apple cider, alcoholic or non, or a Germanic white, such as a crisp Riesling, for the beer. I often add a sprig or two of thyme. Btw I associate this with Pennsylvania Dutch Thanksgiving traditions. Perhaps it migrated down to neighboring Maryland?

Bill A

I'm going to try this with a half dozen smoked apple bratwurst I picked up at a local shop.

Patricia

I hate beer so I used 16 oz of Chardonnay . I also added 4 Shish*to peppers for some spice ( cause Texas) and used butter instead of bacon. Turned out quite nice

fletch

I have made this several times. Always a hit and serves 6-8 people generously

Laura

1- small onion thinly sliced5 slices Amish smoked bacon 1- 16oz jar Vlassic Sauerkraut, drained. 1- grated granny smith appleHandful of mushrooms sliced 1- bottle Guinness 5 browned on stove Amish Bratwurst, placed on top.Ingredients were Prepared on stove, baked in 350 oven 1 hour My German Mother made it this way minus the beer.Made me super nostalgic.

Lori in Vancouver

I grew up in a community with lots of Eastern Europeans where sauerkraut was a New Years tradition. My mom cooked sauerkraut in a large pot in the oven, with pork and cooked low & slow until the pork fell off the bone. Now, a vegetarian, I skipped the pork when using this recipe, replaced apples with carrots (although I usually do love apples in my kraut), reduced the butter to 4T, added a bay leaf, oregano, dill & 2 cloves garlic. Delicious! Serve with perogies, potato dumplings or gnocchi.

Cathy

I made this as written. It was delicious, and a big hit at the family reunion.

Mark

This is actually more of a Pennsylvania tradition that migrated south to Maryland along the Susquehanna. Still delicious!

Jon B.

Any recipe that starts out with sauteeing bacon in butter gets a big thumbs-up from me. Here's another vote for not rinsing the sauerkraut. Or draining it, for that matter. No need to incorporate a lot of brine, but no need to be afraid of it either; the tartness of the kraut is the whole point here. I've made this several times, using homemade sauerkraut (which is a million times better than any commercial version) and dry hard cider. It's wonderful, much more than the sum of its parts.

Irene

I added a 12ozcan of beer, does not look like enough liquid. What should I add if anything?

visser.ja

Needs salt.

HenryLM3

I sliced the apples really thin, less than 1/8 inch, and they just disappeared. I would aim for 3/8 to 1/2 inch the next time.

visser.ja

I had the same experience. Are the apples supposed to be present as pieces in the final dish, or are they supposed to become applesauce?

Gail

Delicious! My beau is from MD and always had sauerkraut as a Thanksgiving side. This is great with pork!

BG

This was delicious! I did not rinse the sauerkraut as I thought that would take away from the “tangy” flavor. Used apple cider instead of beer. Cooked a couple of sausages, sliced them, and added to the pot at the end to make this into a complete meal. The sweet and sour flavor profile was quite enjoyable.

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Sauerkraut and Apples Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can be added to sauerkraut to make it taste better? ›

Ten Delicious Kraut Additions
  1. Juniper Berries. Small and dark, these little raisin-sized berries pack a flavor punch. ...
  2. Beets. Peeled and grated or thinly sliced, even a tiny bit of beet stains the whole ferment fuchsia. ...
  3. Ginger. ...
  4. Lemon Peel. ...
  5. Dill. ...
  6. Caraway Seed. ...
  7. Fennel. ...
  8. Celery Root (celeriac)

Can you add fruit to sauerkraut? ›

Adding fruits and vegetables to your sauerkraut is a great way to enliven its flavor. Root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and beets work particularly well since they stand up to fermentation nicely. Pomaceous fruits like apples and pears work nicely, too.

Should you drain sauerkraut before eating? ›

You do NOT need to rinse sauerkraut (unless it's overly salty). Drain it thoroughly before cooking or using raw. Chop your sauerkraut roughly before cooking (or putting in a salad) so it's easier to combine with other ingredients.

Should you rinse canned sauerkraut before using? ›

It's not necessary to rinse, unless you prefer it that way

Yet, while many agree that this extra step should be avoided, there are exceptions. According to Everyday Health, store-bought sauerkraut is often saltier than homemade versions, making it more than acceptable to dilute the product with water.

What can I do with a jar of sauerkraut? ›

Sandwich or wrap: Give your favorite hand-held meal (with turkey and avocado, hummus and veggies, roast beef and Swiss cheese) an extra kick with addition of sauerkraut. You will NOT be disappointed. Salad: Pack even more nutritional power into your next Buddha bowl or Superfood Salad with the addition of sauerkraut.

Should I add liquid to my sauerkraut? ›

The time you let your sauerkraut ferment is really up to you. I like to let mine go for 2 weeks, but you might prefer the taste at 1 week or even 4 weeks! Keep an eye on your sauerkraut throughout the fermenting process. If the liquid gets too low, top it off with a 2% solution of salt water.

How do you cut tartness out of sauerkraut? ›

Tips to Balance the Tartness in Sauerkraut

One option is to rinse the sauerkraut under cold water to remove some of the acidity. You can also add a little sugar or honey to the sauerkraut to offset the sourness.

Can you overdo sauerkraut? ›

Yes, it is possible to eat too much sauerkraut. Consuming large amounts of sauerkraut can lead to digestive discomfort, such as bloating and gas. Additionally, sauerkraut is high in sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure and other health problems if consumed in excessive amounts.

What extra liquid for sauerkraut? ›

If your cabbage isn't submerged in about 1cm depth of liquid after 24 hours, add some extra brine. Dissolve 1 tsp salt, (always use pure sea salt), into 250ml water and add, or multiply and add enough to cover the cabbage.

Should I eat sauerkraut in the morning or at night? ›

To benefit from consuming sauerkraut, you are recommended to maintain the consistency of quantity and consume it regularly. Sauerkraut can be eaten at any time of the day but consuming it early in the morning is considered the best time.

What happens if you don't rinse sauerkraut? ›

If you enjoy the tangy flavor and the probiotic benefits of sauerkraut, then it's probably best to skip the rinsing step and savor it as it is. However, if you find sauerkraut too pungent or too salty, then rinsing it slightly may make it more palatable for you.

What day are you supposed to eat sauerkraut? ›

Germans have been eating pork and sauerkraut on New Year's for generations because they believe it brings good luck (viel glück in German).

Which is better canned or bagged sauerkraut? ›

In order to reap the probiotic health benefits of sauerkraut, buy refrigerated sauerkraut available in bags or pouches instead of in cans or jars. Avoid sauerkraut that has vinegar or sweeteners.

Why did my canned sauerkraut turn brown? ›

This can be due to a few issues: 1) the cabbage has been exposed to air, 2) the brine levels have dropped, 3) poorly cleaned jars…

Should sauerkraut be heated for Reuben sandwiches? ›

One key step no matter what is to pre-heat both the corned beef and the sauerkraut, so that you're not trying to warm through the entire jam-packed sandwich and instead are just trying to melt the cheese and toast the bread.

How do you make store bought sauerkraut taste better? ›

There is so much room to add flavor to sauerkraut. Add chopped bacon or ground meat of any variety. Bacon fat and fats from other sources pair perfectly with this food. If the mixture becomes dry, add a bit of water to the pan.

How do you tone down tartness in sauerkraut? ›

Place the sauerkraut in a large glass bowl and cover it with apple juice and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Drain and press out the excess moisture. The apple flavor will reduce the sourness in the sauerkraut, making it much more fun to eat.

How do you make sauerkraut taste less sour? ›

If you want to reduce the tartness of your sauerkraut but still maintain the traditional flavor, you can try adding different types of vegetables to the dish. Carrots, beets, and apples are all good choices, as they add sweetness and balance out the acidity of the cabbage.

Should I add vinegar to my sauerkraut? ›

No need to add any vinegar! Salt alone preserves sour cabbage very well. I add 1/4 cup of shredded carrot for colour. Sometimes, I add a laurel leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of caraway seeds.

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