Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (2024)

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This beet sauerkraut is made with fresh beet roots and either red or green cabbage. It’s an easy recipe to ferment, and once you have some ready to go, an easy way to add a little flavorful crunch to meals. I like to serve it as a side, kind of a beet sauerkraut salad.

Originally published January 2020; this post has been updated.

Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (1)

According to Harvard Health, fermented foods can give your body a dose of healthful probiotics — those live microorganisms that are crucial to good digestion.

This bright red beetroot sauerkraut recipe is a simple way to both extend the shelf life of beets and give your gut a boost!

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Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (2)

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Fermented Beet Kraut

The combination of cabbage and fresh beets makes for a really active ferment that will bubble away on the countertop until it achieves the tangy crunch that makes kraut such a favorite.

Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (3)

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Ingredients

Beets —These will add a wonderful flavor and color to your kraut! It transforms the entire jar into a perfect, pretty red. If you have orange/yellow beets, those will work just fine, too, though obviously the color will differ.

Cabbage —I used a combination of green and red/purple cabbage here, but you can of course use what you have available. It will all be the same color in the end!

Salt —This is what aids in fermentation here, so pick a good salt without additives.

Coriander seedsI think it’s the perfect kraut addition, but you can leave it out if you aren’t a fan.

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How to Make Beet Sauerkraut

Mix the ingredients in a very large bowl and start mixing. I recommend your hands, and you can use food-safe gloves so you aren’t staining your skin!

Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (5)

Transfer the cabbage beet mixture to a large jar and tamp it down. You can buy a special tamper if you’ll use it often, but the handle of a large wooden spoon or a piece of dowel also works well!

Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (6)

Top off the jar with distilled water (not tap water!) if there isn’t enough natural liquid released. The mixture must be completely submerged in liquid.

Add a weight and lid and let it get to work.

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FAQs

Do I need special fermenting equipment?

Not always. You can tamp down with anything, and even the weight doesn’t have to be “perfect.” A clean rock works. I’ve even seen people use a cabbage leaf. Just fold it a few times to fit it in.

What sort of lid should be on my jar?

A fermentation lid or airlock are the safest in that they allow gas to escape without you doing anything. You can simply use a regular screw top lid, but you’ll want to release the gas once a day for sure so you don’t have any problems.

Will I be successful at fermentation?

I promise, it’sreally easyto make kraut! The key here is to keep the produce inside the liquid and not in contact with air. Also, keep in mind that if you are doing sourdough, kombucha, or other fun projects, you won’t want them right by each other in the kitchen. They can release their natural “bugs” and combine into some not-so-nice projects. So keep your ferments in their own space!

Storing Sauerkraut

Once the beet sauerkraut is flavorful enough for you, cap the jar and store in the refrigerator or a cool cellar.

Serving Beet Kraut

My son likes to use this as part of an oddly satisfying breakfast plate: Smear hummus on a plate, then top it with a couple of fried eggs and a spoonful of this beet sauerkraut.

Click over here for a straight cabbage sauerkraut.

Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (8)

★ Did you make this beet sauerkraut? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!★

Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (9)

Beet Sauerkraut with Red Cabbage

Yield: about 1 quart

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Fermenation Time: 7 days

Total Time: 7 days 25 minutes

Beet cabbage kraut is an easy recipe to ferment. It's a good way to extend the shelf life of fresh garden beets and results in a delicious ferment that will last months in the fridge.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cabbage, shredded (red or green)
  • 2 cups beets, shredded
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Himalayan salt
  • 2 teaspoons coriander seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Use your (clean) hands to really work the salt into the veggies. Don't be afraid to give it all a little squeeze; you want the salt to start to bring out the juices.
  2. Once well mixed, begin transferring veggies tightly into a wide-mouth quart size Mason jar.
  3. Use a tamper to press the veggies tightly into the jar. There are specialty tampers or you could do as I do and use a large dowel.
  4. As you press, you'll start to see the juices rise to the top. If your produce doesn't generate enough juice, add just a bit of distilled water to bring the level of liquid above the level of the veggies. (You could also use a bit of leftover brine from another ferment, if you happen to have it.)
  5. Place a glass weight on top of the sauerkraut, making sure to push out any air bubbles that are visibly trapped under it. It's critical that the vegetables are not in contact with air.
  6. Place a fermentation airlock or lid on the jar to seal it. If you use a standard lid, you'll need to be sure to open the jar daily to let out any built up gasses.
  7. Let sit at room temperature for a week or two, checking occasionally to make sure that the veggies remain covered with liquid. This will vary depending upon the temperature in the kitchen. A warmer kitchen results in a faster ferment.

Notes

Hot tip: Even with airlocks, my beet kraut went crazy and overflowed on about day two or three (called heaving, as you'll read here). You might want to set your jars in a tray to catch accidental spills. (And when this happens, remember that the liquid might need to be replenished.)

Days two and three are often the most active, but it will continue to ferment as long as its sitting at room temperature. Once the beet sauerkraut is flavorful enough for you, cap the jar and store in the refrigerator or a cool cellar.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 22Unsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 104mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

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Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (10)

eeds

Easy Beet Sauerkraut Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add 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)

Is beetroot sauerkraut good for you? ›

Beetroot kraut is a delicious way to incorporate these beneficial microbes into your diet. The lactic acid bacteria– Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc if you want to get specific – have a number of benefits: Digestive Health: Lactic acid bacteria are well-known for their digestive benefits.

Why do you put vinegar in sauerkraut? ›

Vinegar is an acidic medium commonly used in commercial pickles, sauerkraut and condiments to give the final product a sour, tangy flavor.

What happens if you don't put enough salt in sauerkraut? ›

The proper amount of salt is critical for success. Salt is what inhibits bad bacteria but still allows the good fermentation bacteria to flourish. Never try to make a low-salt sauerkraut, all you'll end up with is a crock of inedible rotten cabbage and you sure don't want that stinky mess anywhere near your kitchen.

What is a good spice to put in sauerkraut? ›

Mustard, Coriander, and Poppy Seeds add bold flavor and texture to this fun and easy-to-make fermented cabbage.

Do you rinse sauerkraut before cooking? ›

The best way to know is to just open the bag and taste a little bit of the sauerkraut . When it has already a nice taste (not too salty) that you like, you don't have to wash it before using it. If it's very salty then rinse it to get rid of the saltiness.

What happens to your body when you eat sauerkraut? ›

Sauerkraut is a source of probiotics and nutrients that support your immune system . For starters, the bacteria that populate your gut can have a strong influence on your immune system. The probiotics found in sauerkraut may help improve the balance of bacteria in your gut, which helps keep your gut lining healthy.

Does sauerkraut clean your liver? ›

The probiotics and vitamins in the sauerkraut help remove toxins from the liver and regenerate new, healthy liver cells.

Is sauerkraut anti-inflammatory? ›

Anti-inflammatory effects

One 2021 review concluded that fermented foods such as sauerkraut could help promote greater gut bacteria diversity and protect against inflammation. Some animal research suggests that sauerkraut's anti-inflammatory effect may be due to reduced nitric oxide production.

What is the white stuff in my homemade sauerkraut? ›

White deposits at the bottom of the jar are normal – they're partly yeast and leftovers from fermentation (salt, sugar, etc.). Rest assured: in lacto-fermentation, everything that happens below the surface is harmless.

How long will an opened jar of sauerkraut last in the refrigerator? ›

If you are refrigerating your sauerkraut, it should stay fresh for about four to six months after opening. It's important to know when you're using it and sealing it after each use because if new bacteria come in contact with it, it can immediately become spoiled.

What kills the probiotics in sauerkraut? ›

Although heat does kill the good bacteria living in your sauerkraut, it only happens at 46°C (115°F). So if you're cooking at a very, very low temperature, you should still retain a large amount of these probiotics. Another solution could be to add your sauerkraut or kimchi to a cooked meal near the end.

What not to do when making sauerkraut? ›

Use too much salt, though, and you'll inhibit fermentation. The lower end of the salt range produces a sauerkraut with more crunch. But too little salt will speed up fermentation, which could leave you with soft, slimy fermented cabbage if your fermentation temperature is too high.

What is the best salt for homemade sauerkraut? ›

Try fine sea salt, or Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. The Spices - spices are used for flavour, and they can also help to slow mould growth. Caraway seeds are popular in traditional Polish sauerkraut making.

Why is my homemade sauerkraut not sour? ›

This won't be bad, as in make you sick, it just won't be probiotic or as tasty. My guess is the lack of pizzazz and sour is likely from the cabbage itself. Depending on the cultivar and time of year cabbages can have very little sugar and starch to break down. It is the sugar that turns into that lovely sour.

How do you add Flavour to sauerkraut? ›

I like to add whole spice grains, such as carraway & cumin, mustard seed, coriander berries & black peppercorns. They release small explosions of flavour as you bite down on them. They are added while making the sauerkraut; I usually include cooking apples, & sometimes onion.

What can you mix with sauerkraut? ›

Potato salad: Sauerkraut is an appealing addition to both classic and German potato salad. Give it a try at your next gathering. Egg salad: Add new dimension and crunch to classic egg salad with the addition of sauerkraut. Bagel and lox: Sauerkraut adds a caper-like zing to a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese.

How to make sauerkraut palatable? ›

15 Ways To Make Canned Sauerkraut Taste Better
  1. Give your canned sauerkraut a bath. ...
  2. Add some richness with fat. ...
  3. Sauerkraut can use some onions. ...
  4. Sweeten canned sauerkrauts with apples. ...
  5. Sprinkle in spices and aromatics. ...
  6. Douse canned sauerkraut with spirits or liqueurs. ...
  7. Cook with cider, apple juice, white wine, or beer.
Feb 19, 2024

How do you reduce the sour taste in sauerkraut? ›

If your sauerkraut is too sour, there are several things you can do to balance out the flavor. 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.

References

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