What to eat with sauerkraut! Here are a variety of tasty sauerkraut recipe ideas, what to do with it, and exactly how to serve it!

What to eat with sauerkraut! Here are a variety of tasty sauerkraut recipe ideas, what to do with it, and exactly how to serve it!

Whether you open a jar of sauerkraut from the grocery store, or make your own from fresh cabbage, this delicious condiment can be used in so many different ways.

As you may know, this sour cabbage delicacy is a probiotic food full of good bacteria and vitamin C that’s beneficial for your gut health and immune system.

Now that we’re aware of all the benefits, let’s discuss your favorite ways to serve it!

I put together a list of meals with sauerkraut to give you lots of ideas.

Cooking with sauerkraut is easy when you know about these delicious recipes!

Different ways to eat sauerkraut

What meat do you eat sauerkraut with?

Pork and smoked meats are the most common protein to serve with sauerkraut.

However, sauerkraut makes a delicious side dish or topping for a variety of different meats, including corned beef and chicken.

Sauerkraut recipes with meat

1. Kielbasa

Kielbasa and sauerkraut is a match made in heaven!

The salty, smoked flavor of the sausage balances the tanginess of the kraut perfectly.

You can even cook it all together in a large skillet or your slow cooker.

2. Bratwurst

German sauerkraut and bratwurst is another really popular combination.

Bratwurst sausage is seasoned with nutmeg, caraway, ginger, and sage, whereas kielbasa is infused with garlic.

Bratwurst and sauerkraut recipes are often simmered in beer, broth, or apple cider.

It’s typically served on a bun with a grainy mustard.

3. Hot dogs

Hot dogs topped with sauerkraut, often called a reuben dog, is a delicious and budget friendly combination.

It feels like a more gourmet way to eat hot dogs.

You can make it in a skillet, crockpot, Instant Pot, or air fryer.

No need to wait for the summer grilling season!

4. Chicken

Braised chicken thighs and sauerkraut has that Oktoberfest taste and flavor that we all crave during autumn.

This hearty dish also includes bacon, and the combination creates a robust and memorable flavor combination.

5. Burgers

Sauerkraut burgers, aka the Krautburger or reuben burger, is the ultimate medley of sweet, spicy, and savory.

The thousand island dressing adds a touch of sweetness that balances the tanginess of the kraut beautifully.

Just be sure to set out extra napkins, because everyone will be gobbling these up!

6. Pork chops

German pork chops and sauerkraut is a cozy, cravable dinner that your family will ask for over and over.

The addition of potatoes and apples rounds out the flavor, and makes this a one pot dinner for easy cleanup.

It’s easy enough for weeknights, but special enough for Sunday dinners or holidays.

7. Corned beef

Corned beef and sauerkraut is another classic combo, and it’s not just for St. Patricks’ Day!

This comfort food can actually be made easily in the slow cooker.

It bathes in beer for hours, which yields super tender and flavorful beef.

Carrots and potatoes cook right along with it, so your side dishes will be taken care of too!

8. Reuben sandwiches or wraps

Classic reuben sandwiches are traditionally made on grilled rye bread, with corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and thousand island or Russian dressing.

You can also make them with turkey if you don’t have corned beef, or turn them into a wrap instead of a grilled sandwich.

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with leftover sauerkraut, this is it!

9. Grilled cheese sandwich

Cheddar grilled cheese with sauerkraut and dijon is chock full of bold flavor.

Make it once and it may very well become your new go-to sandwich.

10. Avocado toast

Yep, you can even eat sauerkraut for breakfast.

This avocado, sauerkraut, and scrambled egg toast is a meal unto itself, and it can be eaten at any time of day.

It’s certainly more than the sum of its parts.

And even if you think the ingredients don’t work together, believe me, they do.

Side dishes that go with sauerkraut

11. Pierogies

Pierogi with sauerkraut and mushrooms is a wonderfully hearty side dish, ideal for any meaty main dish.

It cooks up in about 10 minutes, and frozen pierogies make the whole process go quick and easy.

12. Baked potato

Sauerkraut baked potatoes are a delicious German side dish, or even hearty enough for a main dish for vegetarians.

The potatoes get topped with golden brown sauerkraut and gouda cheese in a creme fraiche and it looks and feels so gourmet.

If you want to keep a more simple recipe, you could just top the potatoes with sour cream and sauerkraut.

13. Salad

Sauerkraut salad is a delicious combination of carrots, bell peppers, celery, and of course sauerkraut, in a simple homemade sauce.

It looks almost like coleslaw, but is a nice alternative for a German-themed meal.

14. Sauerkraut soup

Kapustnyak, or sauerkraut soup, is the perfect example of how creative people were before grocery stores were on every corner.

They could make such delicious meals out of really simple ingredients, and use sauerkraut as their main vegetable throughout the winter months.

This soup is filling enough for a main dish, or works well as a side dish for a variety of German dinners.

15. Mashed potatoes

Sauerkraut mashed potato casserole is a unique comfort food side dish, transforming apples, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes into an addicting dish that just works.

(It’s a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes you have on hand.)

The cheesy breadcrumb topping really makes this dish.

Everyone will either be asking you for the recipe, or asking you to make it again next week.

16. German potato salad

This isn’t your Grandma’s potato salad recipe.

Hot German potato salad with sauerkraut is even more delicious than it sounds.

The recipe calls for Russet potatoes, but you could swap in sweet potatoes for a fun twist.

The warm bacon-vinaigrette turns it into the perfect comfy side dish!

17. Sweet apples

Sauerkraut and apples is like Thanksgiving in a bowl.

In fact, in parts of the East Coast, it’s totally common to have sauerkraut with turkey on holidays.

The recipe calls for bacon and beer, so even the most carnivorous at the table should be willing to try it.

Ready to try some of these recipes using sauerkraut?

I hope this of foods that go with sauerkraut has given you lots of inspiration for the best side dishes and recipes to serve.

All of these sauerkraut dishes are versatile for all different tastes and preferences.

Now you’re armed with a variety of uses for it, and better understand exactly how to eat sauerkraut.

Whether you buy it from the store, or make your own sauerkraut, who knew that raw cabbage that has gone through the fermentation process (and now has beneficial bacteria) could be so delicious!