Updated on October 17th, 2022
People all across the world now love sauerkraut, which goes well with a range of meat and vegetable meals. Sauerkraut is easily found in stores and can be either hot or cold. Sauerkraut adds zest and flavor to any dish when warmed up.
Sauerkraut is a pickled cabbage condiment made with vinegar, salt, and spices like juniper and caraway seeds. You will find that this meal was historically served as a side dish alongside sausages.
Notably, sauerkraut that has been canned, jarred, or chilled does not need to be cooked before eating. You’re really simply heating it up. Read on as you learn how to cook sauerkraut from a jar.
Sauerkraut Nutrition Facts
Tips on How to Cook Sauerkraut from a Jar
Cooking sauerkraut from a jar can be intimidating for some people because there are so many options. Notably, the key to getting the most out of sauerkraut and enjoying this unique, tasty dish is to find the perfect cooking method based on time commitment and taste preferences.
I have highlighted some excellent tips on how to cook sauerkraut from a jar:
Preparing the sauerkraut – You may not need to do any more prep work beyond extracting the sauerkraut from the package, though this is depending on the style of packing.
Since it is very typical for it to be in a saltwater brine if it is in a jar. There is no need to rinse or strain sauerkraut in a jar. The flavor of jarred sauerkraut is preserved by not washing it. Some people, however, rinse it before straining it for a milder flavor.
Drain the sauerkraut thoroughly, and if you’re concerned about salt, rinse it thoroughly with cool water. Before starting the preparation, squeeze off the excess water.
To extract the water, press on the sauerkraut with your palms. Repeat the soaking and rinsing procedure two more times. This will remove any dirt from the sauerkraut and soften it for cooking.
Leaving out the caraway seeds – It is fine if you don’t like caraway seeds, you can simply leave them out. But, I have to admit, you will be missing out on a key flavor. In most recipes, the caraway contrasts beautifully with the apple and sauerkraut.
How To Cook Sauerkraut from a Jar – Sauerkraut from a jar is simple to prepare. You should simply pick a cooking method that suits you best and season with flavor-enhancing ingredients according to your preferences.
- On the stovetop – The most traditional method of preparing packaged sauerkraut is to heat it on the stovetop. You can cook for about 25 minutes on low to medium heat.
- In the microwave – If you’re short on time, you may cook the sauerkraut in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes.
- In the oven – If you are adding other ingredients that go well with sauerkraut, I really recommend cooking the sauerkraut in the oven. You may, for example, make your sauerkraut with smoked sausage and potatoes.
You can put cooked potatoes and sausage in an oven-safe dish, then top with strained sauerkraut, and cover with aluminum foil. Place the dish in a 350°F oven to reheat until the sauerkraut is soft, cook for about 15 minutes.
- Sautéed Sauerkraut – To bring out the flavor of sauerkraut from a jar, you may need to season it with your favorite seasonings and sauté it.
To begin, go on and heat safflower oil in a pan. Then cook the sauerkraut in oil over low-medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes – stirring occasionally – until heated through (you can add extra additions for taste if preferred).
Remove the sauerkraut from the heat when it is done, set it aside to cool, and then eat it.
You know you don’t have to cook canned sauerkraut to eat it; you can also eat it raw in a salad. However, cooking sauerkraut from a jar not only warms it up and makes it more acceptable as a side dish, and also intensifies the flavors.
Check for doneness – You can take the tenderness of the sauerkraut as an indicator of doneness, whichever method you prefer. You will want to heat it until the sauerkraut is tender; most people prefer to slow-simmer it to soften the texture and enhance the flavor.
Flavorings – The most fascinating aspect of cooking sauerkraut is that it can be done in a variety of ways. Although sauerkraut has a distinct flavor, don’t be afraid to spice it up with seasonings and sauces.
Horseradish, pepper, apple cider vinegar, carrots, and garlic are some of the flavorings I recommend. Sauerkraut also pairs well with onions and bacon grease.
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How Long to Cook Sauerkraut from a Jar
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
| 4 minutes | 16 minutes | 20 minutes |
Sauerkraut in a CrockPot (4 Servings)
Instructions
- You can start the recipe by filling a large bowl halfway with water, then add the sauerkraut. You allow five minutes for the sauerkraut to soak.
- You can drain the sauerkraut from the jar into a colander.
- Use cool water to rinse the raw sauerkraut. To extract the water, you will need to press on the sauerkraut with your palms.
- You can repeat the soaking and rinsing procedure two more times. This will remove any dirt from the sauerkraut and soften it for cooking.
- Go ahead and fill the crockpot halfway with water or wine and add the sauerkraut. Cook the sauerkraut for eight hours on “Low” or four hours on “High” in a covered crockpot.
- When the sauerkraut is done. Get a slotted spoon, then remove the sauerkraut.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- You should serve it hot and enjoy it.
The sauerkraut from a jar may seem tailor-made for the slow cooker. Notably, the sauerkraut slowly cooks, releasing its tasty juice and complementing the rest of the crock pot’s features.
It’s as easy as rinsing the sauerkraut and placing it in the slow cooker to make sauerkraut in a crockpot. The rest is handled by the crockpot. Your whole family and friends will adore this soft and strongly flavored dish, whether you prepare it alone or with other vegetables or meat to form a complete meal.
You can watch this video recipe to know how to cook sauerkraut from a jar.
