Easily Make Top-Notch Sauerkraut with a Fermentation Crock

Have you ever wanted to make your own sauerkraut?

It’s delicious, nutritious and seriously easy to make. Today we want to show you how to make top-notch sauerkraut at home with our favorite fermentation vessel, an Ohio Stoneware Pickling Crock. We love Ohio Stoneware’s products - they’re built to last, made in the USA, and truly get the job done right.

Plus, the folks at Ohio Stoneware have quite an awesome story. Back in 2005 they breathed new life into the Midwestern pottery industry, when many historical factories were closing their doors. Today, Ohio Stoneware successfully operates out of Zanesville, Ohio producing the best pickling crocks available in the USA.

BASIC SAUERKRAUT DIRECTIONS

Like we said, making kraut is easy! Just follow these steps and you will have a successful batch of delicious, healthy kraut in no time.

1) Prepare & Massage Your Cabbage

Shave your cabbage finely. Place the shaved cabbage and sea salt in a large stainless steel or glass bowl and massage vigorously. Massage the cabbage and salt for 15-20 minutes or let sit for 1 hour. 

The cabbage will release much of its moisture, forming your brine. You are looking for a good amount of liquid (2 or more cups). 

2) Add Spices & Other Ingredients of Your Choice

Once your brine has formed, add your spices and mix into the cabbage thoroughly. 

TIP: A general rule that our friend Kathryn Lukas, of Farmhouse Culture, gives us is... don’t let your ratio of spices and extra ingredients exceed 25% of the total product. Basically, you want your kraut to be at least 75% cabbage. Extra ingredients you might enjoy adding include carrots, peppers, turnips and nearly any other vegetables you prefer.

3) Pack the Kraut Mixture into Your Ohio Pickling Crock

Pack the kraut mixture into your crock with all of your brine. You want your brine to cover the kraut completely. Place weights on top of the kraut (this will push the vegetables below the brine) and put the lid on. See our selection Ohio crock weights & lids here.

4) Let Your Kraut Ferment

Ferment the cabbage in the brine for approximately 3 weeks at 65º-70º F. Check the kraut often to make sure no yeast or mold is forming. If you do find any, scrape it out of the crock and discard it. 

5) Extra Tips for Excellent Kraut

Taste your kraut after one week to determine when the texture and taste is right for you. Do not open your crock more than once a week. When your kraut is finished, transfer it to mason jars and refrigerate. It will keep up to 6 months if properly stored. Fermenting kraut is very safe due to its high acidity – BUT if it smells or tastes bad it probably is. When in doubt – throw it out!

Ready to Get Started?

We’ve got a handful of great resources to get you started on you first batch of delicious homemade kraut in no time!

We’ve got an amazing selection of Ohio pickling crocks over in our Pickling & Fermentation Department. With a variety of sizes, there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for you. Here’s the one we recommend to folks who want the perfect, complete setup to get started on the right foot...

Ohio Stoneware Complete 3 Gallon Pickling Crock Set with Lid & Weights

OVER TO YOU

If you want to learn more about the art and science of fermentation, there are a lot of good resources out there. Head over to the pickling & fermentation section of our Homestead Library. Or you can simply find everything you need to get started in our Pickling & Fermentation Department.

It’s part of our mission here at Mountain Feed to help you make delicious, sustainable, homemade food more often. Stop by and say hello on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. Or, as always, you can do it the old fashioned way and come by the store to speak with one of our in-house experts.

Keeping a great journal leads to delicious results! Get inspired by new recipes, expert articles and homemade food adventures in our Monthly Journal. 

Ready for More?

• How to Make Sauerkraut Video Workshop - Check out this fermentation video workshop to get all the inside tips and tricks for perfect kraut from our friend Kathryn Lukas, founder of Farmhouse Culture.
• Recipe for Garlic Dill Fermented Pickles - Use your new Ohio Fermentation Crock to not only make sauerkraut, but a variety of delicious and health fermented foods like this recipe for fermented pickles!
• Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods, 2nd EditionWild Fermentation - Sandor Katz
• Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats- Sally Fallon
• The Joy of Pickling, 3rd Edition: 300 Flavor-Packed Recipes for All Kinds of Produce from Garden or Market - Linda Zieddrich
• USDA Home Canning Guide for Fermented Vegetables