Sauerkraut – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is a thinly shredded cabbage that’s been through aerobic fermentation in a salty pickling liquid. After fermentation, the sauerkraut is put into cold storage to make sure the nutrients are preserved, as well as the flavor, texture, and probiotic content.

Sauerkraut is a popular side dish or condiment in the United States, and it’s especially famous in Germany. In the United States, it’s often used as a hot dog topping. But people also use it in tuna, egg salad, deviled eggs, and on sandwiches and bagels.

Where did sauerkraut originate from?

Sauerkraut seemingly originated in China, despite the widespread belief that it originated in Europe. Over 2,000 years ago, the Chinese needed to feed thousands of workers while building the Great Wall of China. They found cabbage was easier to preserve by canning or fermenting it with rice wine, resulting in sauerkraut. It was a tasty meal that helped feed the workers, and eventually, it ended up making its way to other parts of the world, like Germany.

What is the nutritional value of sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut’s nutritional benefits are similar to that of regular cabbage. It’s got some of the following vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Folate
• Choline
• Iron
• Selenium
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Copper
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Potassium

How is sauerkraut made?

Sauerkraut is made by shredding cabbage into finely cut slices and then covering the cabbage in salt.

Afterward, it’s left to ferment until it gets to the right state of maturity. The natural fermentation process doesn’t require much, just a little cabbage and salt. Once it has that, it follows a similar production process to other fermented foods, such as kimchi.

What is the shelf life of sauerkraut? 

Sauerkraut can last 2 to 6 months when refrigerated. On the kitchen counter, it’ll only last about a week or 2.

How do you pick sauerkraut at the grocery store?

When shopping for sauerkraut at the grocery store, find a brand you like. If you’ve never had sauerkraut before, you may have to do some trial and error before you find what you want. Always check the expiration date before you purchase to make sure it’s still good.

Instacart customers can use these tips to provide their shoppers with tips about choosing the best sauerkraut.

How to store sauerkraut

Sauerkraut can be stored in a few different ways, such as in the fridge, freezer, or kitchen counter.

When storing in the fridge, keep it for up to 6 months. Make sure to store your sauerkraut in refrigerator-safe containers.

When storing in the freezer, keep it for up to 3 months. After that, it should be eaten if you want it to have any kind of flavor or texture. To freeze it, pack it into cup-sized portions, freeze for 4 hours on a cookie sheet, and then transfer it into a freezer bag. Seal the bag and only defrost what you need for serving.

You can also try canning your sauerkraut. If you decide on canning, you should be able to store it for up to 3 years when stored in the cold. To can sauerkraut, add the fermented sauerkraut into the cans. Top each can off with a bit of vinegar, and make sure you’ve got at least 2in at the top of each can.

Wipe the rims clean, and seal the cans with airtight lids and rings. Then, boil some water in a deep pot. Lower the sealed cans into the boiling pot of water. Make sure the water is at least 3in above the can lids. Leave the cans there for about 20 minutes, and then put them on a cooling rack. Then, store them in a cool, dark place (like your pantry).

How to tell if sauerkraut is bad 

Pickled and fermented food usually lasts as long as it’s eaten by the use-by date. You’ll know sauerkraut is bad if, when you check for signs of spoilage, you notice a weird color, texture, smell, or taste.

If your sauerkraut has a darkened color, you’ll know it’s been exposed to air, but often, if you remove the top, darkened layer, you can still eat what’s underneath. But if you see greenish-blue specks on top of it, don’t eat it.

Notice a spongy texture, or does it look a little off? Throw it away immediately. Give it a good whiff. If it smells foul or rancid (more so than the usual pickled scent), it’s probably safe to say that it’s gone bad.

If all else looks well, you can give it a taste test. It shouldn’t taste moldy or spongy. Use your best judgment and avoid it if it doesn’t taste fresh.

What can I substitute for sauerkraut?

Don’t have all of the ingredients for sauerkraut on hand? Not to worry. You can substitute it with fresh cabbage or kimchi. Better yet, whip up a homemade batch using fresh cabbage.

Going to need some sauerkraut soon?

Planning on getting some sauerkraut for a meal you’re making sometime soon? You can easily shop for sauerkraut via Instacart and enjoy same-day delivery or pickup. Just add your favorite sauerkraut to your cart, and one of our shoppers will take it from there.

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