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How to Cook Sauerkraut From a Bag Recipe (Easy)

You can get that tangy, slightly sweet flavor of homemade sauerkraut yourself as the perfect side with this german sauerkraut recipe! When you know how to cook sauerkraut from a bag recipe (easy), you’ll know it’s one of the best things ever made with a head of cabbage. This simple recipe is our favorite way to enjoy sauerkraut from plastic bags.

bowl of bag sauerkraut in bowl.

How to Cook a Bag of Sauerkraut

The best quality sauerkraut is the kind in the bag. It’s much better than the canned or jarred varieties and is a great addition to any German meal.

You’ll notice that the bag sauerkraut has a long shelf life and a great taste without the work of making your own sauerkraut.

For a simple side dish, give my recipe below a try for delicious sour cabbage that gives your taste buds a fun excursion through the fermentation process! 

You can always try this dish with hot dogs! It’s delicious!

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • Bag sauerkraut – for the best-tasting sauerkraut with a softer texture
  • Chicken Stock 
  • Herbs and seasonings – like black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, caraway seeds and a sweet apple
  • Onion

Here’s How You Do It

  1. In a saucepan, add the ingredients together.
  2. Mix well and heat. 
  3. Can be served warm or at room temperature
blue bowl of bag sauerkraut.

Tips and Tricks

  • Remember that the sauerkraut in the bag from the grocery store has gone through the fermenting process and is full of good bacteria,  lactic acid bacteria (lots of folks talk about the health benefits of sauerkraut!). 
  • Good Quality Sauerkraut is the perfect side dish for a fatty meal and works as a palate cleanser! 
  • Be careful about adding too much salt! The sauerkraut juice is quite salty. The best way to address the salt issue is to to pour the sauerkraut out into a large bowl and give it a little bit of a rinse before starting the cooking process.
  • If you taste the sauerkraut after making the recipe and it tastes too salty, add a bit of brown sugar to balance out the sour taste.
  • This is the best kraut recipe when used with hot dogs, pork chops, spicy sausage, fresh vegetables and on reuben sandwich es. You’ll find it is similar to a polish delis kraut! 
  • To find some great recipes for first time makers of raw sauerkraut using raw cabbage, you’ll want to look at a recipe like this one from Culinary Hill – How to make sauerkraut  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How Long Does Sauerkraut Last?

If kept covered in the fridge or in an airtight container, about 5 days.

Can I Freeze Sauerkraut?

Yes you can! Place into a freezer safe container, remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.

Watch Me Make a Sauerkraut Recipe

Can You Give Me a Hand

Please leave a 5 STAR comment in the comment section below. That helps others to find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes. 

overhead shot of german sauerkraut in blue bowl, napkin, spon and extra bowl

How to Cook Sauerkraut From a Bag Recipe (Easy)

In just a few minutes you'll have terrific Bavarian Sauerkraut from a bag (or German Sauerkraut), whichever you prefer! Easy and Fast!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: american
Cuisine: America
Keyword: How to Cook Sauerkraut from a Bag
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 86kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbs butter
  • ½ onion (minced) or 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced) or 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 30 oz bag of sauerkraut
  • 1 Cup chicken stock
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp caraway seeds Fennel Seeds will work if you can't find caraway seeds
  • 1 sweet apple (Gala is a good choice) cut into small cubes ( pencil eraser size and peeled.)
  • Salt and pepper per taste

Instructions

  • In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and then add the minced onion and garlic until softened.
  • While the onion and garlic are cooking, drain the sauerkraut.
  • When the onion and garlic are softened, add the drained sauerkraut, chicken stock, sugar, black pepper, caraway seeds and apple chunks.
  • Heat over medium heat until simmering and the dish is heated through.
  • Taste and add salt as needed.

Notes

  • If you are using onion powder and garlic powder like I am in the video, you will just put the sauerkraut in the pan first, then add the garlic and onion powder.  Add the butter as well. 
  • Caraway seeds aren’t always to everyone’s liking, however, I recommend you try them in this recipe because they are super tasty! 
  • Feel free to substitute any other sugar sweetener for the granulated sugar (maple syrup, honey, etc.). 
PRO TIP:  This recipe is amped up about 10x by adding some fatty cured meat such as bacon pieces, kielbasa, smoked sausage, cocktail wieners, etc.  You can just put them right in the saucepan with the sauerkraut!  YUM!  Especially great on a cold winter day. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Cook Sauerkraut From a Bag Recipe (Easy)
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 86 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 17mg6%
Sodium 141mg6%
Potassium 83mg2%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 175IU4%
Vitamin C 1.5mg2%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 0.1mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

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Wendi

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

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