Introduction: Easy Small Batch Fermented Sauerkraut
You might wonder how to get a big cabbage into a small jar.
Follow these easy steps to find out.
Step 1: All You Need to Get Started
Cabbage
Salt—must not be iodised
Bowl—bigger is better
Jar with wide mouth, gasket and wire bale 100mm wide x 150mm tall. These are readily available at kitchen and houseware stores.
Shredder or sharp knife
Measuring spoons
Step 2: Chop the Cabbage Into Sixths
This isn’t the cabbage in the first photo, that one was cut up before I could snap the picture.
Remove the outer leaves and wipe off any remaining dirt but don’t wash the cabbage.
Step 3: Shred or Slice Finely
We prefer to slice the cabbage as it tends to fall apart in our shredder.
Step 4: Add Salt
Add 1.5 - 2 Tablespoons of salt to the bowl full of shredded or finely sliced cabbage.
Remember to use kosher, plain or sea salt but make sure it isn’t iodised or fermentation won’t happen.
Step 5: Massage Cabbage
Roll your sleeves up and massage the cabbage for between 5 and 10 minutes.
After a few minutes water will be released from the cabbage. Keep going until the cabbage becomes very limp.
You might notice the bowl in this step is not the same glass bowl as in step 2. The glass bowl was too small to massage the cabbage in so I transferred everything to a bigger one.
Photo 3 in this step shows the limp cabbage, the next one shows the juice that was released through the massaging.
Step 6: Pack the Cabbage Into the Jar
Grab a handful of cabbage and put it into the jar.
Tamp down with your closed fist.
Repeat until almost all of the cabbage is in the jar, getting it as full as possible.
Some of the “juice” might need to be discarded.
Step 7: Fill the Jar Right Up
Then close the lid.
The key to making small batch sauerkraut is to use a wide mouth jar with a rubber gasket and wire bale.
The one I use holds about 750ml and is 100mm wide x 150mm tall. It's perfect for one head of cabbage. The wire bale allows the liquid to release from the jar during the fermentation process.
Step 8: Storage During Fermentation
Rest the closed jar in a bowl as liquid will be released during the first few days. The wire fastener keeps a tight fit while still allowing liquid to escape.
Store it in a cool dark place for 8 - 14 days. Fermentation takes longer in cold weather and less time in summer.
Step 9: The Finished Sauerkraut
Color and texture changes during fermentation.
There are many variables which contribute to different outcomes—the cabbage itself, the amount of salt, season etc.
Store in the refrigerator and enjoy the crisp, crunchy, tart sauerkraut.
36 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
I have started a batch! Thank you so much for making this easier. The crocks are hard to find here and expensive, but I had wire bale jars.
8 years ago on Introduction
That's new to me not to wash the cabbage! And didn't know not to use non-iodized salt or no fermentation! Thanks for all the great info!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
My understanding is that the primary reason that washing isn't recommended is that it adds more fluid to the situation. If you wanted to wash and let dry for a reasonable while it would probably work.
8 years ago on Introduction
as a general rule that is easy to follow, we should be using celtic or himalayan sea salt because none of the minerals are removed ... in other words it is just dried, not processed and also it is much easier on the system, being a whole food. Celtic is grey and himalayan is pink. I buy in health food stores in bulk dept. There are also some others that are approved as whole salts. Since most of us use salts freely, its a good thing to do for yourself.
8 years ago on Introduction
It's amazing how much cabbage goes into sauerkraut, it's almost like magic. I got to find myself one of those jars, it just seems to work perfectly for your need.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
It is like magic. The key for us is the small batch in the wire bale jar. We tried it once using a stoneware sauerkraut jar. It took three or four cabbages, maybe even five, was a lot of work and we obviously did something wrong but it reeked and after a while we threw the slimy mess in the compost. Good luck.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
You need to make sure that the kraut is covered with fluid. Each strip of cabbage that has contact with air will go bad and ruin the rest. That's why you add a weight on top of the kraut in stoneware sauerkraut jars - to make sure it doesn't float up. Also they use a "water seal" so that gas from the fermentation can go out, but air from the outside can't come in.
Fermentation is going on as long as you can see bubbles being produced. If that slows down, the sauerkraut is ready :).
8 years ago on Introduction
Could you possibly state the amount of salt used as a percentage of the weight of the cabbage? A "big" cabbage isn't very precise - 4 pounds? 7 pounds? 12 pounds?
Thanks!!!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
A lot of recipes I've seen call for 2% salt.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Sorry, I can't but I don't think it is that important. If you weigh the cabbage first it won't be accurate anyway as all of it isn't used. When I used two Tablespoons of Kosher salt it worked well but tasted too salty. One and a half Tablespoons works well for me. Maybe someone else can give you a better idea.
8 years ago on Introduction
Note: iodized salt is okay to use, but it may discolor your kraut. The actual measurement is 3 Tablespoons of salt to 5 pounds of cabbage (or 12 grams of salt per pound of cabbage). Too little will result in poor fermentation- too much and your kraut will be unpleasantly salty. Caraway seed (a pinch) can be added for extra flavor.
Cut your cabbage as finely as you can- big chunks can get rubbery. You can make it in the jar by tossing your (weighed) shredded cabbage with the (weighed) salt, and then pressing your cabbage vigorously into the jar with a piece of wooden broom handle, a small potato masher or something similar. You want to crush the cabbage a bit as you press it down so it releases its juices and removes all the air possible. A little mold may form on the surface as the kraut ferments but its harmless- skim it off and discard.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thank you for giving some weight recipes. With a modern digital kitchen scale this gets really easy, especially if you use kilogram/gram measures.Dispose of however many outer cabbage leaves you want, along with the cabbage core. Put your big bowl on the scale. Hit "tare". Shred or slice the cabbage, putting it in the bowl. What's it weigh? Add about 2% salt - when you weigh the salt, it doesn't make any difference what kind it is (but still stay away from iodized table salt). Now just follow the recipe.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the salt to cabbage ratio. In the small jar I use it would be pretty hard to toss the cabbage and salt in the jar but that would work for larger batches.
8 years ago
that seems pretty straight forward with small details... im going to make some too! thanks for sharing! #SYOI ! anyone have a link for good prices on jars?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I have found almost all wire bale jars we have at Goodwill and other local thrift stores. They're usually $2-4. New sealing rings are available at better cooking supply stores or from Amazon.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
They are easy to find in New Zealand so should be easy in most countries. Mine cost NZ$3.00, pretty cheap.
Reply 8 years ago
thanks!
8 years ago on Introduction
Wanted to mention that this kind of fresh kraut is full of great probiotics....I was very sick and needed to get the flora in my colon back and this is one of the recommended foods. I had to buy mine at a health food store...and it was close to $9.00 a quart...will saved this and give it a try...I am just afraid the jar will blow up ?? lol...
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
My GP recommended eating fermented sauerkraut to help with stomach problems. A pint jar of organic sauerkraut from a natural food store cost about NZ$15 which was an incentive to learn how to make my own.
The jar won't blow up because the gas releases gently through the wire bale mechanism.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thank you for your reply...I will try this soon...