25 Delicious Uses for Sauerkraut

At wildbrine, we love to incorporate sauerkraut into some of our favorite classic recipes for an unexpected twist of texture and flavor. Looking for some healthy, delicious ideas on how to add this probiotic powerhouse to your own culinary regimen? Read on for what to do with sauerkraut. Have a favorite sauerkraut use of your own? Share in the comments!

Tips for Cooking with Sauerkraut

• Sauerkraut naturally lends itself to recipes that call for pickles, olives, or other briny ingredients. Keep this in mind when brainstorming your own uses for sauerkraut.
• Preserve sauerkraut’s beneficial bacteria by keeping its temperature below 115 degrees F.
• Sauerkraut brine is also a versatile ingredient and can be used in recipes such as salad dressings, cocktails, or sauces. (Be sure to keep enough brine in the jar to cover the vegetables, as this helps keep it fresh.)

Our Favorite Uses for Sauerkraut

1. 1. Smoothies: We’re serious! Add a couple of tablespoons to your next fruit smoothie for an incredible lift of flavor. Try this smoothie recipe.
   2. Tuna salad: Love dill pickle relish in your tuna salad? For extra zip, try chopped sauerkraut instead.
   3. Deviled eggs: Minced sauerkraut could be the new secret ingredient to your deviled eggs. Here’s a recipe where we use kimchi, but you can substitute kraut.
   4. Grilled cheese: Elevate your grilled cheese sandwich with the addition of sauerkraut. That little bit of saltiness takes this humble classic to the next level.
   5. Baked potato: Potatoes and sauerkraut are a Bavarian favorite. We like to top baked potatoes with sour cream and our Dill Garlic Sauerkraut.
   6. Dessert: Here’s another shocker! Try these healthy brownies that feature sauerkraut as a star ingredient.
   7. Fish tacos: Brighten your traditional fish tacos by topping them with sauerkraut instead of plain cabbage. Cilantro and chipotle crema also highly recommended! Try this fish taco recipe and substitute kraut for the pickled red onions.
   8. Cubano sandwich: Sub out sauerkraut for pickles in this classic pressed sandwich of ham, Swiss cheese, and mustard.
   9. Guacamole: Want to add a little salty goodness to your guac routine? Stir in a spoonful of kraut and watch it transform your recipe.
   10. Potato salad: Sauerkraut is an appealing addition to both classic and German potato salad. Give it a try at your next gathering.
   11. Egg salad: Add new dimension and crunch to classic egg salad with the addition of sauerkraut.
   12. Bagel and lox: Sauerkraut adds a caper-like zing to a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Not to mention a gut healthy zing!
   13. Cheese plate: Sauerkraut seamlessly stands in for olives or pickles on an artisan cheese plate. Try pairing it with aged gouda and some crusty sourdough bread.
   14. Pizza: Pizza is one of those dishes that invites any and all to the party. Plop some kraut on top and you’re good to go.
   15. Avocado toast: Whole grain bread, sliced avocado, and sauerkraut could become your new favorite avocado toast.
   16. Burgers: Hamburgers and meatless burgers are guaranteed to sing with the addition of sauerkraut and melted swiss cheese.
   17. Sausage: Sauté up some sausage (meatless or meat-full) and stir in some kraut at the end. To keep the probiotic benefit, don’t heat above 115 degrees F.
   18. Coleslaw: Sauerkraut and coleslaw are practically cousins. Let them hang out by combining five parts shredded cabbage to one part sauerkraut and refrigerating for at least 30 minutes. Want something fancier? Our recipe for Sauerkraut Slaw.
   19. Sushi: Looking for a unique accompaniment to sushi? Try our Arame Ginger Kraut instead of traditional pickled ginger
   20. Dirty sauerkraut martini: Combine 6 oz vodka, 1 oz sauerkraut brine, and a dash of vermouth for a fun twist on the dirty martini. Prefer tequila? Here’s another sauerkraut-brine based cocktail recipe.
   21. Breakfast burrito: Instead of salsa, add zippy sauerkraut to your next breakfast burrito of eggs, cheese, and sausage
   22. 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.
   23. Salad: Pack even more nutritional power into your next Buddha bowl or Superfood Salad with the addition of sauerkraut.
   24. Soup: Garnish potato leek soup with a dollop of sour cream or crème frâiche and a smattering of sauerkraut.
   25. One of our favorite uses for sauerkraut: Eat it right out of the jar. Don’t be shy!

See more recipes ideas here!