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Homemade lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a brown bowl.
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4.75 from 4 votes

Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut

Create your own Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut at home with this simple recipe. All you need is cabbage, salt, and optional additions like caraway seeds, shallot, and apple. The process involves mixing, resting, and fermenting the ingredients in mason jars. Enjoy this probiotic-rich, vitamin C-packed superfood with sandwiches, wraps, or as a healthy snack.
Servings: 2 quarts

Ingredients

  • 2 heads cabbage small heads, cored and shredded
  • 1/2 tbsp caraway seed optional
  • 3 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 shallot optional; peeled and sliced thin
  • 1 apple optional; shredded

Instructions

  • In a large non-metal bowl, mix the cabbage with the optional caraway seeds and salt. Use your (clean!) hands to really work the salt into the cabbage, then allow to rest for 15-20 minutes. The cabbage will wilt and a salty brine will develop.
  • Add the shallot and apple and mix well.
  • Spoon the mixture into two quart-sized, wide-mouth mason jars, and as you do so, press down firmly with a pounder (the back of a wooden spoon will also do) until the juices come to the top of the cabbage. The top of the cabbage should be at least 1 inch below the top of the jar (this is because there will be some expansion while it is lacto-fermenting and you don't want it to overflow out of the jar). If there is not enough liquid, add enough filtered water so that the cabbage is just barely covered.
  • Screw lids on to the jars (screw them tight) and keep at room temperature for about three days. Open the jars and see if the liquid is bubbly- if it is, you can transfer your jars to the refrigerator, where they will continue to lacto-ferment at a slower rate. You can eat your homemade sauerkraut right away, or wait a week or two for the flavors to develop further.

Notes

  • a food processor makes quick work of shredding the cabbage, especially if you want a very fine texture, but it's also fine to shred by hand
  • I used one green and one red cabbage; you can do the same or use either color
  • I like the bit of sweetness the apple provides, but it's not necessary (make sure to peel if it is not organic)