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Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut

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An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that’s not only delicious but a powerful and “magic medicine” for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of “real food” probiotics and fermentation!

Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that's not only delicious but a powerful and "magic medicine" for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of "real food" probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

One of my biggest life goals, realized! Homemade sauerkraut! This is pretty legendary and I can’t believe I finally nailed it! I love my sauerkraut and have always wanted to make my own. I eat so much of it, it only seemed “fair”. Ever since I started eating sauerkraut and fermented foods. 1.5 to 2 years ago, I have seen major improvements with my temperamental gut health. Not only do I have Celiac Disease and other food allergies, but severe reflux, IBS, and many other “unspecified” digestive disorders that rule my life. Any little thing I can do to keep my tummy as happy as possible, I “try” to do. I’ve always taken a probiotic supplement for as long as I can remember, but getting probiotics from food is even better and more reliable.

Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that's not only delicious but a powerful and "magic medicine" for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of "real food" probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

If something as easy and delicious as eating sauerkraut, every day, can help, I’m ALL in! Fermentation not only preserves foods but increases nutritional content, balances stomach acid, adds probiotics (good bacteria for you microbiome), and makes them easier to digest. The probiotics (active cultures) that develop during fermentation from the lactic acid improve the immune system and entire digestive tract. Essentially helping to heal the gut from common ailments or disorders. That’s why I call sauerkraut my “magic medicine”. It reduces inflammation and pain in the gut from all those disorders too. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”? Well, sauerkraut will help with that “irritation”. The destroyed villa in the small intestines of Celiac patients? Fermented foods can start to soothe and heal that. Those are just a few examples, but the benefits of fermented foods and the probiotics they provide to the gut can’t be ignored.

Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that's not only delicious but a powerful and "magic medicine" for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of "real food" probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

Sauerkraut isn’t the only “magic medicine” though. The very many delicious options include:

Sauerkraut

Pickles

Relish

Any Pickled Vegetable

Kimchi

Kombucha

Yogurt (use dairy-free like coconut or almond)

Kefir (use dairy-free like coconut or even water kefir)

Miso (use brown rice or chickpea for soy-free)

Natto (sadly no soy-free option)

Tempeh (use hemp tempeh for soy-free)

Lassi (Indian yogurt drink, use dairy-free version)

Other fermented condiments like salsa, chutney, etc.)

(Bubbies is my go-to favorite brand for fermented store-bought products!)

You all know I DO NOT cook with salt. You will never see a recipe with “salt” listed in the ingredients. So you may have imagined that when I started eating these salty fermented foods, my taste buds took a bit of adjusting, but they adjusted pretty fast! Another thing you must keep in mind is that if you’re new to eating fermented foods like sauerkraut specifically, you’ll want to start slowly. A few tablespoons a day and work from there. I make sure I eat about 2 servings of fermented foods a day.

Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that's not only delicious but a powerful and "magic medicine" for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of "real food" probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

Now, the secret to easy at-home fermentation, pickling, even kombucha brewing? The Mortier Pilon fermentation crocks! The crock is specialized designed for perfect anaerobic fermenting; just the right airflow! Fermentation is all about experimenting, so my first batch (my first time ever!) was a sad fail. Not enough cabbage, not enough salt, and it was the week we had no AC in the house during a heatwave. I was so determined to get this right, though! I bought a ton of cabbage this time (you need so much more than you think), used way more salt, filtered water, made sure everything was completely sanitized and crossed my fingers! Making sauerkraut is a workout, by the way! You have to really get down and dirty with your hands to massage the salt into the cabbage to release the natural liquids. (It’s worth it, don’t worry!) Now let’s get those crocks ready and make some homemade sauerkraut!

Homemade Sauerkraut

Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that's not only delicious but a powerful and "magic medicine" for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of "real food" probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

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Homemade Sauerkraut

An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that’s not only delicious but a powerful and “magic medicine” for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of “real food” probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

Scale

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Make sure you have a sanitized work area, bowls, the crock, and hands!
  2. Rinse the cabbage and remove outer leaves. Chop the cabbage as thinly as you can (mine was not very thin, I sliced it very roughly. It’s all up to you)
  3. In a very large bowl (or in batches), begin to massage the cabbage and salt. This may take awhile, but you want the waters to start to release from the cabbage and for the cabbage to get soft and losses its “volume”.
  4. As you get this going, place the massaged cabbage into the fermentation crock and pack it down as best you can.
  5. Once you pack in all the cabbage, place the weight on top of the cabbage, cover with the lids, and let it sit for 24 hours. You can continue to push it down and massage it during the time every so often.
  6. After 24 hours, if needed, add some filtered water mixed with more salt if the cabbage is not fully submerged by liquid. From there, let it sit for at least 7-10 days.*
  7. Once the sauerkraut has reached the desired degree of fermentation, you can place the sauerkraut in sanitized mason jars and store in the fridge for months!

Notes

*Trouble Shooting:
1. If during the 7 days the crock begins to “overflow”, don’t worry! That’s what should be happening as the gasses build up and fermentation takes place. This will go down by itself. The Mortier Pilon crock has a ridge that catches most of this liquid at the top.
2. If you see mold start to grow, STOP! You did something wrong and was most likely due to contamination or not enough water/salt to keep the cabbage covered.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 Cup
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 Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that's not only delicious but a powerful and "magic medicine" for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of "real food" probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

This is where things get really exciting for YOU! Mortier Pilon is kind enough to offer my readers a chance to win their own fermentation crock! If you’ve always wanted to get into home-fermentation and have been a bit timid (like I was), the crock basically “holds your hand” through the process so you’re more likely to have success! The giveaway will run for 2 weeks (until 9/21) and I’ll contact the winner directly! (Open worldwide!)

Magic Medicine: How-To Make Easy Homemade Sauerkraut | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 An easy way to make homemade sauerkraut that's not only delicious but a powerful and "magic medicine" for improved gut health due to the healing benefits of "real food" probiotics and fermentation! Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Allergy-Free.

Mortier Pilon Fermentation Crock

So tell me:

+ What would you make in the fermentation crock first?

+ Have you ever made your own sauerkraut?

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Comments

  12. Debbie Byler says

    September 11, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    I would love to learn to make sauerkraut! I always grow great cabbage and make lots of other things with it, but haven’t attempted sauerkraut yet. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  14. kimmythevegan says

    September 11, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    What a fun recipe & giveaway! I LOVE sauerkraut. I used to really dislike it, but I think it’s because someone gave me a cheap-o not so great type of it. Since I have realized spending a bit of money on it is ok, I have fallen in love with it. There is a guy at the farmer’s market who makes his own and I love to buy it, but making my own would be so much cooler!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      September 11, 2016 at 6:36 pm

      Ah yea! You need to spend the money on a high quality one! That’s one making your own sometimes helps offset the cost 😉

      Reply

  15. Nikki Frank-Hamilton says

    September 11, 2016 at 12:33 pm

    I love pickled and fermented foods for the gut, but love pickled veggies for the taste. I have not made my own sauerkraut so this is perfect for me. I also drink kefir and I’ve noticed a huge improvement. Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      September 11, 2016 at 6:50 am

      I think we all just get freaked out by that “bacteria growth” 😉 Even when it’s a good thing!

      Reply

  20. Zoe says

    September 10, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    I love saurkraut! I really want one of those fermentation pots and have been eyeing one for a while now. I think I would try to make a saurkraut-styled kimchi! I tried this once before but forgot to add the chili paste! It ended up just being saurkraut with fish sauce…. Still good!

    Reply

  21. Evi @ greenevi says

    September 10, 2016 at 7:28 am

    I love everything fermented, but sauerkraut is especially magical! Your dreamy pink version is so beautiful too!
    And wow, I’ve never knew making your own sauerkraut is that easy…plus now I really want a fermentation crock 😀

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      September 10, 2016 at 7:30 am

      I think the crock just makes it even more special 😉 Sakerkruat is the kind of the fermented foods in my opinion 😉

      Reply

  25. Marla says

    September 9, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    Hi Rebecca,
    Home made sauerkraut is so good and so healthy. I make it myself but we do it a little different than your recipe – make a large amount at once and do it in crocks. Different ways work for individuals needs, but it still a wonderful way to help you digestive system and give you those wonderful probiotics that we need. Pinned & tweeted!

    Reply

  30. Kate Orson says

    September 9, 2016 at 4:16 am

    This sounds so simple, I’d love to try it as I’d really like to start eating fermented foods, although I don’t know much about them. What kind of things do you eat sauerkraut with? #brilliantblogposts

    Reply

  35. Florentina says

    September 8, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    This is so cool! I’ve always done it the old fashion way but what a great way to make life easier in the kitchen and being able to make a small batch of sauerkraut!

    Reply

  36. nadia says

    September 8, 2016 at 11:56 am

    I’m following a gut healing protocol at the moment where I need to start introducing lots and LOTS of fermented food in a couple of weeks time. I love eating fermented food but I’ve never fermented anything in my life and I find the idea quite daunting. This gadget makes it looks so easy! Fantastic giveaway!

    Reply

  37. Mandy says

    September 8, 2016 at 11:08 am

    I’ve always wanted to make our own sauerkraut, but have been afraid to try! What a cool little gadget!! Bubbies is the best for pickles and kraut – I’ve also fallen in love with Pickled Planet…especially their curry spiced kraut ???? This recipe of yours sounds easy enough – can’t wait to try!! ❤️

    Reply

  40. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

    September 8, 2016 at 7:56 am

    Coming from a Ukrainian background my mom and baba made this every year in the fall from all the cabbages in the garden. I still remember the smell in the house that lingered for weeks. Homemade is the best however….nothing beats it.

    Reply

  41. pragati says

    September 8, 2016 at 5:50 am

    Wow..this is something I can only dream of doing. But I do love sauerkraut. The fermentation crock is new to me. I doubt I will be able to get this in India, but I am off to check it out.
    The red/green combination looks really pretty.

    Reply

  42. Renee says

    September 8, 2016 at 1:26 am

    I rarely eat sauerkraut, but enjoy it when I do. I should give this a try. Thank you for sharing your recipe, I’m pinning so I can refer back to it.

    Reply

  49. Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    September 7, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    We love fermented foods at our house! I’ve really been trying to remind myself to eat them daily – I was on antibiotics for a stubborn infection a few months back and it did a number of my gut health 🙁 Anywho, I’ve never tried making sauerkraut myself – so fun!

    Reply

  52. Lucinda Gilmore says

    September 7, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    I always wanted to try to make my own sauerkraut but did not until this time. Your article is very clean, understandable. The photos are awesome! Are you planning to write about how to do food photography?

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      September 7, 2016 at 9:18 am

      Haha, my dad has always loved it too! (I thought it was smelly and gross when I was younger!)
      But seriously…I can’t get enough!!!
      I’m still on the fence about how I feel about kombucha 😛

      Reply

  58. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    September 7, 2016 at 7:51 am

    Rebecca I so need this post/recipe! I have always wanted to try making my own sauerkraut – but like you, I was way too timid to try to – but this post is so inspiring – now if I win that Mortier Pilon Frementation Crock, I will be on my way to homemade sauerkraut. Thanks so much for the recipe and hosting that giveaway!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      September 7, 2016 at 9:17 am

      I hope you win, Shashi!!! It’s so fun and this crock really did help me get over the “hump” 😉

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I’m so glad you’re here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!

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