Make Your Own Sauerkraut: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step_by_step_sauerkraut

Written by Nat Russell

June 7, 2018

The importance of looking after our gut has been thrown into the spotlight thanks to an explosion of studies into the role that our gut and its microbiome play in our overall health.

It is comforting to know you are not alone if you are facing gut issues, and that there are tools out there to help you on the path to robust health.

While there are many ways to improve your gut health (see here), a great step is to add fermented foods and drinks rich in friendly bacteria to your diet. Read this blog to find out why this is so important.

One of the questions I get asked most often is ‘How do I make my own Sauerkraut?’ This is great for me as it’s one of the techniques I love to teach the most! A lot of people think it is too hard, too time consuming or that they need special equipment. Some are are simply scared of doing it wrong and getting sick from it (I had each and every one of those blocks too!)

I want to demystify some of the worry and work around fermenting for the first time and show you just how easy and quick it can be to make your first batch of gut-loving Sauerkraut! I have broken it down step-by-step here:

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 x organic cabbage
  • 1.5 tablespoon pure salt (do not use idodised salt)
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1 teaspoon juniper berries
  • 2 bay leaves

Recycled jars that have been washed well and have lids that seal tightly.

Method:

  1. Rinse whole cabbage lightly.
       Step_1_Sauerkraut                
  2. Remove outer leaves that are damaged or tough.
    Step 2
  3. Place cabbage on chopping board and cut off the excess base stalk (keep for later).
    Step 3
  4. Cut the cabbage in half from the top to the stalk.
    Step 4
  5. Cut out the heart of the cabbage.
    Step 5
  6. Finely cut the cabbage into fine shreds.
    Step 6
  7. Place the shredded cabbage into a large bowl and sprinkle salt over. Toss through and leave to rest for a few minutes.
  8. Begin massaging the cabbage. The salt will begin to breakdown the fibres of the cabbage and it will begin to soften and release its ‘juice’. This may take up to 5 minutes so be patient and enjoy!
    Step 8
  9. Once the cabbage has become limp and has released lots of its ‘juice’, sprinkle over your spices (caraway, juniper berries and bay leaves). Mix through.
    Step 9
  10. Begin tightly packing your cabbage into the glass jars. Pack down firmly as you go to get rid of air bubbles and so that the cabbage is submerged with the ‘juice’. You will able to fit in a lot of cabbage! Leave about 4cm space from the top of the jar to allow for expansion and bubbling.
  11. Using the base stem you cut off earlier or one of the outer leaves, trim and fold to use as a ‘packer’ in the top of the jar to ensure the cabbage is submerged under the ‘juice’ and will stay in place. The cabbage needs to stay submerged to keep the oxygen away from it.
    Step 11a Step 11b Step 11c Step 11d
  12. Seal lid tightly.
    Step 12
  13. Leave your jars to sit with a plate underneath at room temperature for approximately 5 days. Time will vary depending on the climate, and your own personal taste – you will get to know this so don’t worry! Your ferments may bubble over, get gassy and even leak slightly…this is normal and not a concern.
  14. Place your ferments in the fridge and once well chilled, open, discard the ‘packer’ and enjoy when you are ready.

We’d love to see your ferments so please tag us at @changinghabits_hq so we can see what you have been up to! Happy changing habits!

Blog lovingly provided by Glow With Nat Russell, author of the Fermentation & Treats eBook.

 

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3 Comments

  1. Helen

    Hi Nat
    I’m really looking forward to giving this a go. I don’t have juniper berries or caraway seeds. Just wondering if there are easy swaps for these spices. Thanks,
    Helen

    Reply
    • Jordan Pie

      Hi Nat, you can just omit them, or play around with adding in garlic, ginger, chilli, turmeric etc to add in whatever flavours you like 🙂

      Reply
  2. Natalie

    Where would one buy Juniper berries?

    Reply

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