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Quick Sauerkraut

Ingredients

  • 1 large head green cabbage, nearly 2 pounds
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced, about 2 cups
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
  • 1 juniper berry, lightly crushed
  • 1 allspice berry, left whole, see notes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup water

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Quarter and core the cabbage, then thinly slice crossways.  You should have close to 12 cups (3 quarts) of sliced cabbage.

Step 2: Add the cabbage to a large bowl with 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, the caraway seeds, juniper berry, and allspice berry.  Massage the salt into the cabbage and let it stand for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Five minutes before the cabbage is ready, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Stir in the onions, and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.  Be careful not to brown the onions – if you notice that they begin to take on some color, reduce heat slightly.

Step 4: Add the cabbage, its liquid, and all the spices from the bowl to the pot with the onions.  Stir in the sugar, apple cider vinegar, apple cider, and water.

Step 5: Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the cabbage.  Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes. The parchment paper helps to maintain a moist environment for the cabbage.  You can make this without it but keep an eye that the liquid in the pot does not evaporate.

Step 6: Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, then allow to cool.  Transfer to jars and refrigerate.  Keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Notes:

  • Caraway seeds taste nutty with hints of anise and citrus.  They are common in German dishes, such as sauerkraut.  Find them in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.
  • Juniper berries have a piney taste with hints of citrus.  Find them in the spice aisle of grocery stores or online.
  • Allspice berries taste like a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  These can be found less commonly in grocery stores’ spice aisles, but the author recommends buying a “pickling spice blend” if you cannot find allspice berries.  McCormick “Mixed Pickling Spice” contains allspice berries.

Enjoy some homemade good luck in the new year, courtesy of Inspired Taste!