Tangy Old Fashioned Sauerkraut Salad Recipe for Zesty Meals

Crisp and tangy old fashioned sauerkraut salad brings nostalgic memories of grandma’s kitchen table.

Humble ingredients combine to create something magical and unexpected.

Fermented cabbage takes center stage in this classic dish.

Generations have cherished these simple yet flavorful combinations.

Crunchy textures and zesty notes dance across your palate with each refreshing bite.

Minimal preparation promises maximum satisfaction for anyone seeking authentic comfort food.

You’ll want to savor every delightful spoonful of this timeless recipe.

Why Sauerkraut Salad Recipe Stands Out With Zing

• Craft a Colorful Veggie Symphony: Blend vibrant green and red cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers into a stunning mix that transforms a simple salad into a visual feast. Each ingredient adds its own pop of color and nutrition.
• Customize with Culinary Creativity: Swap ingredients easily to match your taste preferences or pantry supplies. Greek yogurt instead of mayo? Go for it! Want extra crunch? Toss in some sunflower seeds or sliced almonds.
• Master a No-Fuss Nutrition Powerhouse: Pack incredible health benefits without complex cooking techniques. Sauerkraut brings probiotic goodness, while fresh vegetables deliver essential vitamins and minerals in one delicious package.

What You’ll Need For Sauerkraut Salad Recipe

• Sauerkraut: A tangy, fermented cabbage that provides a zesty base for the salad.
• Green Cabbage: A crisp vegetable that adds texture and freshness to the dish.
• Red Cabbage: Contributes a beautiful color and additional crunch to the salad.
• Carrots: Bring a sweet and vibrant element to the vegetable mix.

• Celery, Red Onion, Bell Pepper: Add depth of flavor and extra crunch to the salad.
• Parsley, Dill: Provide a fresh herb note that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt: Create a creamy base for the dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a tangy and bright flavor to the salad.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings a sharp and zesty kick to the dressing.
• Honey: Offers a subtle sweetness to balance the tangy elements.

• Salt, Pepper, Celery Seeds: Enhance and round out the overall flavor of the salad.

How To Make Sauerkraut Salad Recipe Quickly

Step 1: Prepare Vegetable Base

• Drained sauerkraut
• Shredded green cabbage
• Shredded red cabbage
• Grated carrots
• Diced celery
• Finely chopped red onion
• Chopped parsley or dill
• Diced bell pepper

Gently mix all vegetables until they’re evenly distributed, creating a vibrant and colorful foundation for the salad.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Celery seeds

Whisk ingredients until they form a smooth, well-incorporated dressing with a tangy and rich consistency.

Step 3: Marry Vegetables and Dressing

Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture. Carefully toss everything together, ensuring each vegetable piece gets beautifully coated. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, adding extra salt, pepper, or vinegar to suit your preference.

Step 4: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. Before serving, give the salad another gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.

Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Helpful Tips For Sauerkraut Salad Recipe

• Rinse Sauerkraut Thoroughly: Drain and rinse sauerkraut completely to reduce excessive saltiness and soften its intense flavor profile.
• Massage Vegetables Gently: Softly toss ingredients to prevent bruising delicate vegetables and ensure even dressing distribution.
• Balance Tangy Flavors: Adjust vinegar and honey levels to create a harmonious sweet-sour taste that complements the sauerkraut's natural tanginess.
• Enhance Texture Variety: Chop vegetables in different sizes to add interesting textural dimensions and make each bite more exciting.
• Optimize Chilling Time: Let salad rest in refrigerator for minimum 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profile.

Ways To Switch Up Sauerkraut Salad Recipe

• Vegan Sauerkraut Delight: Replace mayonnaise with vegan cashew cream or silken tofu dressing, ensuring a plant-based friendly version while maintaining creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Sauerkraut Mix: Swap carrots and bell peppers with radishes and cucumber for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that keeps the tangy profile intact.
• Mediterranean Sauerkraut Salad: Incorporate feta cheese, kalamata olives, and replace parsley with fresh oregano to give the recipe a Greek-inspired transformation.
• Protein-Packed Sauerkraut Bowl: Add diced grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or canned tuna to boost protein content, creating a more substantial meal option.

Perfect Pairings With Sauerkraut Salad Recipe

• Pair with Hearty German Sausage: Complement the tangy sauerkraut salad with classic bratwurst or kielbasa, creating a traditional German-inspired meal that balances the salad's acidity with rich, savory meat flavors.
• Serve with Crisp Pilsner Beer: Choose a cold, light German pilsner that cuts through the salad's tanginess and refreshes the palate, enhancing the overall dining experience with its clean, hoppy notes.
• Match with Rye Bread: Offer thick slices of rustic rye bread to soak up the dressing and provide a robust, earthy contrast to the bright, crunchy sauerkraut salad, adding textural complexity to the meal.

How To Keep Sauerkraut Salad Recipe Crisp

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep salad cold to maintain crisp texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Avoid freezing this salad, as mayonnaise-based dressings separate and vegetables become watery and lose their crunch when thawed.
• Consume cold directly from the refrigerator. Gently stir before serving to redistribute dressing and revive flavors. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take off the chill.
• If salad seems dry after storage, add a small splash of apple cider vinegar or a teaspoon of fresh dressing to refresh the taste and moisture level before serving.

Sauerkraut Salad Recipe Q&A

• Is sauerkraut healthy for me?

Sauerkraut is packed with probiotics, boosts digestive health, contains essential vitamins like vitamin C and K, supports immune function, and provides beneficial bacteria for gut wellness.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad actually tastes better when prepared in advance. You can make it a day before serving, which allows flavors to meld and develop more depth and complexity.

• How can I make this salad more protein-rich?

Add diced hard-boiled eggs, cooked chicken pieces, crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, or chopped nuts to increase protein content and create a more substantial meal.

Old Fashioned Sauerkraut Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Zesty Old Fashioned Sauerkraut Salad brings tangy German-inspired flavors to your table with minimal ingredients and maximum taste. Crisp vegetables and signature sauerkraut combine in a quick, refreshing side dish you will crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

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Main Vegetables:

• 2 cups sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup carrots, grated or shredded

Complementary Vegetables:

• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup bell pepper (any color), diced

Dressing and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley or dill, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and combine drained sauerkraut, shredded green and red cabbage, grated carrots, diced celery, finely chopped red onion, chopped parsley or dill, and diced bell pepper, ensuring thorough and even distribution of ingredients.
2. Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, pepper, and optional celery seeds until smooth and well-integrated.
3. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture, gently tossing to coat each ingredient evenly, adjusting seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or vinegar according to taste preference.
4. Seal the salad in a container and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, which enhances the overall taste profile.
5. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients, ensuring a harmonious blend of tangy and fresh elements.

Notes

• Customize the tanginess by adjusting apple cider vinegar amounts, letting personal taste preferences guide your dressing preparation.
• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives for lighter, dietary-friendly versions that maintain creamy texture and flavor complexity.
• Consider adding toasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds for extra crunch and nutritional boost, elevating the salad’s texture and protein content.
• Enhance gut health benefits by using raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut which contains live probiotics, supporting digestive wellness and immune system function.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg