Published: · Modified: by Cadry Nelson
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Today I’m talking about my favorite vegan sauerkraut recipes and uses – from veggie reubens, to salads, pizza, sandwiches, and more.
When you think sauerkraut, two things usually come to mind – sausages & hot dogs.
So while sauerkraut itself is vegan, it’s often associated with some very non-vegan things.
What’s a kraut loving vegan to do?
No worries.
There are still plenty of ways to have your kraut and eat it too.
Today I’m sharing some of my favorite vegan sauerkraut recipes & uses.
In this post:
Jump to:
- What is sauerkraut?
- Where can I find sauerkraut?
- Don’t forget about kimchi
What is sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut means sour cabbage in German.
Although, fun fact: It was actually invented in China!
Over 2,000 years ago, Chinese people were fermenting cabbage in rice wine.
Then in the 16th century, Europeans started fermenting cabbage in its own juices.
It is made by shredding fresh cabbage, adding salt, and pressing down the mixture. That releases water and causes fermentation.
It was created as a way of preserving cabbage.
Fermenting cabbage helps promote the growth of probiotics, like you might associate with yogurt.
Probiotics are known to help with digestion and balance your gut after a round of antibiotics.
In addition to its probiotic power, it is high in vitamin C.
Where can I find sauerkraut?
Look for sauerkraut in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
It’s sold in glass jars or resealable bags.
Most canned sauerkraut has been pasteurized, which kills off the good bacteria.
So I recommend seeking out the fresh variety in the refrigerated section instead. Gold Mine is my favorite.
Prefer to make your own?
Check out this recipe from The Kitchn showing how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Sauerkraut recipes & uses
Here are my favorite vegan sauerkraut recipes and uses.
They will keep you digging in for more – jar after jar.
Vegan reuben
Of course, kraut is wonderful on a veggie reuben sandwich along with a drizzling of vegan Thousand Island.
As for the filling? There are plenty of options!
- Make a reuben with a corned jackfruit filling using this recipe for a vegan reuben jackfruit sandwich (above).
- Make a seitan reuben using the official Chicago Diner vegan reuben sandwich recipe.
- Or have a cozy bowl instead with this jackfruit reuben nourish bowl.
Top your veggie sausage
Pile sauerkraut onto your favorite veggie sausage or veggie dog along with a slathering of mustard.
The kraut adds a cool, tart compliment to a savory sausage.
That’s an Herbivorous Butcher beer brat above along with an easy spinach salad.
Make beer brats with sauerkraut
Brown some vegan bratwurst in a skillet. Sauté onions, and add a healthy glug of beer.
Once it’s cooked off, add sauerkraut.
Serve the whole thing alongside mustard mashed potatoes or vegan pierogi.
Now, that’s some savory goodness!
Add kraut to a green salad
Kraut is a cool, crunchy addition to a big salad.
It fills out the plate, adding another contrasting flavor that mixes especially well with a kale salad and avocado.
Pizza topping
It makes a terrific pizza topping, especially if you prefer a cheeseless pie like I do. It gives zing to each slice.
Some people throw sauerkraut on the pizza before cooking. But I prefer to add it cold by the spoonful after the pie is cooked.
It adds a cool, crunchy element on top of a hot, steamy pizza.
And it means that the kraut maintains all of its probiotics which can be killed off by heat.
Sauerkraut goes well with lots of pizza toppings like onions, garlic, tomatoes, red bell pepper, mushrooms, potatoes, or seitan sausage.
Sauerkraut is also a terrific topping on a vegan chili dog pizza along with a drizzle of stoneground mustard and diced onions.
Pierogi quesadillas
Sauerkraut plays very nicely with potato and non-dairy cheese in this pierogi-style vegan quesadilla.
It has all of the flavor of a pierogi but without fiddling with dough for hours.
Vegan Philly cheesesteak
Use kraut as a briny addition to homemade vegan cheese.
I often like to make my own cashew cheese. Adding sauerkraut to the blender brings some rich, pungent undertones.
Use sauerkraut in this cheese sauce on top of your vegan Philly cheesesteak.
Don’t forget about kimchi
And while you’re adding fermented cabbage to your plate, don’t forget about kimchi!
This spicy Korean fermented cabbage can often be found near the sauerkraut in the refrigerated section. Or look for it next to the miso paste.
Just be sure to read the ingredient labels. Not all brands are vegan.
Here are some ways to use kimchi:
- Bulgogi tofu bowls with kimchi
- Bulgogi tofu sandwich with kimchi
- Kimchi fried rice
Content updated January 18, 2023. Originally posted September 25, 2014.
More Vegan cooking resources
- Top 20 vegan recipes of 2023
- 40 easy Veganuary recipes for 2024
- 28 vegan tofu recipes that everyone will love
- 58 vegan recipes for Easter
About Cadry Nelson
Cadry Nelson is the writer, recipe creator, and photographer behind Cadry’s Kitchen. She's also the author of Living Vegan For Dummies, 2nd edition. Cadry loves sharing vegan comfort food classics that come together quickly. Her work has been featured on NBC News, Mashable, Yahoo, Buzzfeed, Parade, Huffington Post, VegNews, and Vegan Food & Living.
Reader Interactions
Comments
nowyat
This opened my mind, because, yeah, why not throw some in a sandwich or in soup! Maybe in a vegan cheese sandwich or in a salad!
Reply
Randi (laughfrodisiac)
This is super helpful! We got some free jars of pickled red cabbage at Vegfest this weekend and I had forgotten about the glory of seitan reubens!!!
Reply
Cadry
Oh, excellent! There’s not much better than a good seitan reuben.
Reply
Jojo
Oh my goodness, I love sauerkraut on hot dogs and in mac and cheese and, of course, in seitan reubens but I’d never considered most of these other options! I wish they sold Gold Mine sauerkraut here, I’d totally try some!
Reply
Cadry
You can add it to the list for Austin! 🙂
Reply
Shell
It hasn’t occured to me to use sauerkraut on homemade pizza. I’m going to try that!
Reply
Cadry
Yes, it’s such an easy and delicious way to use it! You’ll have to give it a go!
Reply
Susan
I love sauerkraut, though sadly the rest of my family is not keen.
We don’t have as many wonderful varieties as you do, I would love to find some garlic kraut!Reply
Cadry
Luckily it lasts a long time, even if the jars are open. So you can take as much time as you need to polish off the kraut on your own. I hope you’re able to find some garlic kraut in your area! 🙂
Reply
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