Sauerkraut Dishes

Sauerkraut is one the best ways to preserve those boring leftover vegetable gluts

Sauerkraut is sharp, savoury and full of character. It can be served cold, warmed through, folded into sandwiches, paired with sausages, spooned beside pork, added to potatoes or used to brighten simple meals that need acidity and crunch. This guide brings together practical sauerkraut dishes, serving ideas and food pairings for anyone wondering what to eat with sauerkraut. It also explains how sauerkraut connects to fermented food makers, farm shops, local vegetable growers and seasonal cooking.

Sauerkraut dishes include sausages with sauerkraut, pork and sauerkraut, Reuben style sandwiches, potato hash, sauerkraut salads, pierogi, stews, soups, toasties, hot dogs, grain bowls, egg dishes and vegetarian plates. Sauerkraut works well with rich, salty, smoky or earthy foods because its sharpness cuts through heavier flavours.

Kimchi, sauerkraut and pickles are preserved vegetable products, but they are not always made in the same way. Sauerkraut is usually fermented cabbage. Kimchi is commonly made from fermented vegetables with seasonings such as chilli, garlic or ginger, although recipes vary. Pickles may be fermented or vinegar pickled depending on the maker. Before buying, check whether the product is fermented or vinegar pickled, whether it is chilled or shelf stable, whether it is live or pasteurised, what ingredients and allergens are listed, and how it should be stored after opening.

What Is Sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is usually made from finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented with salt. The result is a tangy, sharp and savoury food that can be used as a side dish, topping, filling or ingredient.

It is often served with sausages, pork, potatoes and bread, but it can also work with eggs, salads, cheese, vegetables, pulses and grain bowls. Sauerkraut is fantastic for anyone interested in:

Sauerkraut is more flexible than many people realise. It can be used as a side dish, topping, sandwich filling, salad ingredient or sharp flavour lift for simple meals. The best sauerkraut dishes usually pair it with food that is rich, earthy, smoky or mild, because its acidity helps balance the plate. These ideas are not full technical recipes. They are practical ways to use sauerkraut in everyday cooking, with clear links to the ingredients, producers and recipe categories people may want to explore next.

Best Sauerkraut Dishes to Try

Sausages with Sauerkraut

Sausages and sauerkraut are one of the easiest ways to use sauerkraut well. The richness of the sausage works beautifully with the sharp, tangy flavour of the cabbage. You can serve the sauerkraut cold for crunch or warm it gently in a pan with onions, mustard, apples or a little stock. This works particularly well with pork sausages, smoked sausages, bratwurst style sausages, Cumberland sausages or local butcher sausages. Serve with boiled potatoes, mash, crusty bread or roasted root vegetables for a simple filling meal.

Pork and Sauerkraut

Pork and sauerkraut is a classic pairing because sauerkraut cuts through the richness of pork. It works with roast pork, pork belly, ham, gammon, bacon, slow cooked pork shoulder or leftover Sunday roast pork. For a deeper flavour, sauerkraut can be warmed with sliced onions, apple, black pepper and a little stock before being served beside the meat. It can also be cooked gently into a traybake with pork, potatoes and carrots. The result is a dish that feels hearty, sharp and comforting without being too heavy.

Sauerkraut and Potato Hash

Sauerkraut and potato hash is a strong budget friendly recipe idea because it can use leftover potatoes, onions and small amounts of meat or vegetables. Cooked potatoes can be fried with onions until crisp, then mixed with sauerkraut near the end so it keeps some texture and acidity. You can add bacon, sausages, mushrooms, eggs, leeks, carrots or leftover roast meat. It works well as breakfast, lunch or a quick evening meal. A fried egg on top makes it more filling, while mustard or fresh herbs can add extra flavour.

Reuben Style Sandwiches

A Reuben style sandwich is a rich, sharp and savoury way to use sauerkraut. It usually combines sauerkraut with meat, cheese, dressing and bread. The sauerkraut gives the sandwich crunch and acidity, stopping the filling from feeling too heavy. You can use pastrami, salt beef, ham, turkey, leftover roast meat or a vegetarian mushroom filling. Cheese, mustard, pickles and rye bread work especially well. This is a useful section for BFFD because it naturally links to bakers, cheesemongers, butchers and pickle makers.

Sauerkraut Hot Dogs

Sauerkraut is a classic topping for hot dogs and loaded sausages. It adds crunch, acidity and a fermented flavour that works well with mustard, fried onions, pickles and soft bread rolls. This can be kept simple with a sausage, roll, mustard and sauerkraut, or made more substantial with cheese, chilli sauce, onions or crispy bacon. It is a good farm shop or farmers market recipe idea because it can showcase local sausages, bakery rolls and small batch sauerkraut from fermented food makers.

Sauerkraut Toasties

Sauerkraut can work very well in toasties, especially with cheese, ham, mushrooms or leftover pork. The key is to use a moderate amount and drain it slightly before adding it to the bread, otherwise the toastie can become too wet. A sauerkraut and cheese toastie gives you sharpness, richness and crunch in one simple meal. It also works with mature cheddar, Swiss style cheese, ham, mustard, caramelised onions or roasted mushrooms. This is a strong quick meal idea for the page because it is practical, affordable and easy to understand.

Sauerkraut Salad

Cold sauerkraut can be turned into a bright salad by mixing it with grated carrot, apple, beetroot, cucumber, onion, herbs or a little oil. It brings sharpness and crunch without needing a heavy dressing. This kind of salad works well beside sausages, pork, fish, baked potatoes, sandwiches or grain bowls. It can also be used as a topping for burgers, wraps and picnic food. For BFFD, this section should connect sauerkraut back to vegetable growers, apple growers and seasonal produce.

Sauerkraut with Eggs

Sauerkraut can be served with eggs for breakfast, brunch or a quick lunch. It works beside fried eggs, scrambled eggs, omelettes, poached eggs or potato hash. The sharpness of the sauerkraut balances the richness of the egg and makes a simple plate feel more interesting. It is especially good with toast, mushrooms, sausages, bacon, potatoes or herbs. For a lighter meal, serve cold sauerkraut beside eggs and salad. For a warmer dish, add sauerkraut to a breakfast hash just before serving.

Can You Cook Sauerkraut?

Yes, sauerkraut can be cooked, warmed through or served cold. Some people prefer it cold because it keeps more crunch, while others prefer it gently warmed with sausages, pork, potatoes or stews.

The safest content angle is not to make claims about live cultures or health benefits. Keep the page focused on food use, flavour and serving ideas.

Food Safety and Storage

Kimchi, sauerkraut and pickles need correct production, storage and labelling.

Customers should follow the maker’s instructions. Some products need refrigeration before opening. Some need refrigeration after opening. Some may be shelf stable until opened. Some may continue fermenting slowly if live and chilled.

Prepared products may contain ingredients that customers need to know about, including garlic, chilli, fish sauce, soy, sesame, mustard, dairy, gluten containing ingredients or other allergens depending on the recipe.

Fermented and Pickled Food Note:

Always check whether kimchi, sauerkraut or pickles are fermented, vinegar pickled, chilled, shelf stable, live or pasteurised. Follow supplier storage guidance and check ingredient and allergen information before buying.

How to Serve Sauerkraut

Serve it cold

Use cold sauerkraut in salads, sandwiches, burgers, bowls and as a sharp side.

Serve it warm

Warm sauerkraut gently with sausages, pork, potatoes, onions or stews.

Use it as a topping

Add sauerkraut to hot dogs, burgers, toasties, baked potatoes and bowls.

Use it as a flavour lift

A small amount can brighten rich, smoky, salty or creamy dishes.

Do you make kimchi, sauerkraut or pickles?

List your fermented food business, farm shop supply route, market stall or preserved vegetable products on BFFD and help people find your products by location, flavour and buying route.

Reputable External Sources

1. Food Standards Agency: Starting Your Food Business Safely

Use this for food business setup and safe food operation context.

2. Food Standards Agency: Food Hygiene for Your Business

Use this for allergen responsibilities and customer information.

3. Food Standards Agency: Food Hygiene Ratings

Use this for official food hygiene and safe food handling context.

4. Food Standards Agency: Packaging and Labelling

Use this for hygiene rating checks and public trust.

5. GOV.UK: Food Labelling and Packaging

Use this for mandatory food label information.

6. Food Standards Agency: Allergen Guidance for Food Businesses

Use this if the cheese society serves or sells alcohol at events.

*External sources are provided for further reading. BFFD does not provide food safety, legal, trading standards, allergen, dairy hygiene, delivery, labelling or business advice. Cheesemongers, cheese makers and food businesses should always follow current official guidance and seek professional advice where required.

helpful links

Related Fermented Food Pages

Related BFFD Pages

FAQ

What dishes can you make with sauerkraut?

You can use sauerkraut in sausage dishes, pork dishes, sandwiches, hot dogs, stews, soups, salads, baked potatoes, breakfast hash, toasties, grain bowls and vegetarian plates.

What meat goes best with sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is often served with sausages, pork, ham, bacon, gammon, burgers and chicken because its acidity balances richer flavours.

Can you eat sauerkraut cold?

Yes. Sauerkraut can be eaten cold as a side dish, salad ingredient, sandwich filling, burger topping or bowl ingredient. Always follow the product’s storage guidance.

Can you cook sauerkraut?

Yes. Sauerkraut can be gently warmed or added to cooked dishes such as stews, soups, sausage dishes, pork dishes and potato hash.

What vegetables go with sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut works well with potatoes, onions, carrots, beetroot, mushrooms, cabbage, apples, cucumber and herbs.

Is sauerkraut good in sandwiches?

Yes. Sauerkraut works well in sandwiches and toasties because it adds crunch, acidity and strong savoury flavour.

Is sauerkraut the same as pickled cabbage?

Not always. Sauerkraut is usually fermented cabbage, while some pickled cabbage products are preserved using vinegar. Check the product description to understand how it is made.

Does BFFD make health claims about sauerkraut?

No. BFFD should focus on food use, flavour, provenance, storage information and local producer discovery, not unsupported health claims.

Find Sauerkraut, Fermented Foods and Local Makers

Sauerkraut is more than a side dish. It can bring sharpness, crunch and depth to sausages, pork, potatoes, sandwiches, salads, bowls and simple everyday meals. Use BFFD to discover fermented food makers, farm shops, farmers markets and local suppliers who can help you find sauerkraut and other fermented foods with clearer links between product, place and producer.

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