Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (2024)

Home » Side Dishes » Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added)

ByKelly Jensen

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This low sodium sauerkraut recipe is a savory and flavorful side dish, a great no-salt-added recipe for cabbage. With just a few simple ingredients and 30 minutes, you can make this easy and tasty side.

Start by sautéing onions, adding caraway seeds, and a delicious vinegar brine and cabbage. I love serving this sauerkraut with low sodium crispy chicken breasts.

Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (2)

Traditional sauerkraut is made with just salt and cabbage, but I made this version with a blend of vinegar and some spices that gives this a fantastic twist! It’s similar to sweet & sour cabbage, and is a tasty side dish with your favorite protein.

Ready in a half hour, this easy recipe had just a few simple pantry ingredients and doesn’t require any fancy equipment to make. It’s great with chicken or pork!

This Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe Is

  • Bright
  • Fresh
  • Tangy
  • Flavorful
  • Easy to Make
  • A Great No-Salt-Added Side

Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (3)

Low Sodium Side Dishes for a Healthier Meal

This low sodium sauerkraut recipe is a fantastic condiment to make without salt. We’re all about making recipes low sodium when we can. Low sodium cooking does NOT have to be bland, boring, or flavorless… It’s quite the opposite when done right.

By building meals around fresh ingredients and bright flavorful spices you can make healthier meals for you and your family. Check out all my low sodium side dishes here that are on LowSoRecipes. These easy and healthy recipes are fantastic sides for everyone at your table.

What’s In This No Salt Added Sauerkraut

  • Green Cabbage – you can either chop or shred the cabbage, depending on what texture you enjoy.
  • Onion – for a nice savory flavor.
  • White Vinegar – gives a wonderful tanginess to the cabbage.
  • Caraway Seeds – optional if you like the flavor, I put them in mine!
  • Olive Oil – to sauté the onion in
  • Sugar – while this recipe isn’t very sweet, the sugar adds a nice flavor to the dish overall.
  • All Purpose Flour – which thickens the sauerkraut at the end.

Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (4)

How Do I Make Sauerkraut with No Salt?

  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the sliced onion and lightly brown for 4 to 5 minutes.
  2. Add in the caraway seeds (if using) and sauté for an additional minute.
  3. Pour in the water, white vinegar, and sugar and stir well to combine. Add the shredded cabbage and black pepper to the pot, and stir well to combine. Cover and simmer cabbage for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Taste, and adjust vinegar or sugar level as needing, adding more to taste. Serve hot, and garnish with extra caraway seeds. Enjoy!

30 Minute Salt Free Side Sauerkraut

This salt free sauerkraut recipe is what I call an Easy Entertaining Dish- which is on your table in about 30 minutes. Traditional sauerkraut has to be fermented for a few days, but this quick version is cooked on the stove and has vinegar added for taste.

I have a whole area of recipes dedicated to 30 Minute Recipes, that are great for the whole family. From soups and stews, to pastas and proteins – a healthy meal can be on your table in no time. Just as fast as grabbing a quick prepared side dish from the store (and way more impressive too)!

Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (5)

More Low Sodium Sides You’ll Love!

Low Sodium Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Low Sodium Potatoes O’Brien Recipe

No Salt Added Orzo Salad Recipe

Low Sodium Cowboy Beans Recipe

Low Sodium Brioche Bread

Share This Easy No Salt Added Sauerkraut Recipe

As always, if you make this low sodium sauerkraut recipe be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag us @lowsorecipes on Instagram so we can feature you. We love seeing all your photos of our recipes!

Let’s keep in touch – don’t forget to follow over on Instagram, Facebook, & my Youtube channel for more amazing low sodium recipes – I’d love to connect with you there!

Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (6)

Low Sodium Sauerkraut

AuthorAuthor Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (7)Kelly Jensen

This low sodium sauerkraut recipe is a savory and flavorful side dish, a great no-salt-added recipe for cabbage. With just a few simple ingredients and 30 minutes, you can make this easy and tasty side.

4.91 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 23 minutes mins

Total Time 28 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Bohemian, Czech

Servings 8 servings

Calories 84 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 sweet onion sliced
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional) plus more to taste
  • 1.5 cup water
  • ¾ cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 lb cabbage shredded
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon juiced, about 1-2 tablespoons

Instructions

  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the sliced onion and lightly brown for 4 to 5 minutes.

  • Add in the caraway seeds (if using) and sauté for an additional minute.

  • Pour in the water, white vinegar, and sugar and stir well to combine. Add the shredded cabbage and black pepper to the pot, and stir well to combine. Cover and simmer cabbage for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Add the fresh lemon to the sauerkraut, and it give it a final stir. Taste, and adjust vinegar or sugar level as needing, adding more to taste. Serve hot, and garnish with extra caraway seeds. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 26mgPotassium: 256mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 113IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg

*Please note, all nutrition content is estimated based on the ingredients we used, it may vary based on your ingredients. Always check your nutrition labels to verify sodium amounts.

Keyword Low Salt Sauerkraut, Low Sodium Sauerkraut, Make Sauerkraut No Salt, No Salt Added Sauerkraut, Sauerkraut Without Salt, Sour Cabbage Recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! Please comment and leave a review.

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Low Sodium Sauerkraut Recipe (No Salt Added) (2024)

FAQs

Is there a salt-free sauerkraut? ›

This recipe uses herbal seeds to replace the salt in normal kraut. Making this kind of ferment is a bit riskier when it comes to foreign bacteria having a foothold, so it is recommended that you make this kind of kraut in the winter and keep a close eye on it during fermentation.

What can I use instead of salt for sauerkraut? ›

This study shows that potassium chloride can be used as at least a partial replacement for sodium chloride in the fermentation of sauerkraut.

How do you reduce sodium in sauerkraut? ›

Rinsing sauerkraut can help reduce its salt content. To do this, drain the brine and rinse the sauerkraut with cold water. Use a colander or strainer to ensure that all the sauerkraut is rinsed thoroughly. You may need to repeat this process a few times to achieve the desired salt level.

Can you eat sauerkraut on a low sodium diet? ›

If you're at risk of high blood pressure or are on a low sodium diet, salty sauerkraut may not be the best choice for you. That said, there's less than 1,000 milligrams of sodium in one cup, so it depends on what else you eat.

Is sauerkraut too high in sodium? ›

Because it's low in calories and fat, it can be tempting to load up on sauerkraut, especially if you're trying to lose weight. However, as with most foods, moderation is key to making sauerkraut part of a healthy diet. Sauerkraut is packed with sodium, with one serving containing 9% of your recommended daily allowance.

How much sodium is in low sodium sauerkraut? ›

Sauerkraut, canned, low sodium, 1 cup
Protein (g)1.28
Magnesium, Mg (mg)18.46
Phosphorus, P (mg)28.4
Potassium, K (mg)241.4
Sodium, Na (mg)437.36
32 more rows

Can food be fermented without salt? ›

Is It Possible to Make Lacto-Fermentation Without Salt? It is possible, but the risk of failure is greater. Salt prevents pathogenic microorganisms from settling in. Without salt, the lactic acid bacteria (which we want to favour) have a harder time competing.

How much sodium is in homemade sauerkraut? ›

Sauerkraut is a low-calorie food — only 42 calories per cup — and a good source of vitamin C (30 mg. per cup). However, because of the salt necessary to regulate the fermentation, sauerkraut is a high-sodium food, containing about l. 5 grams (1,500 mg.)

Why is salt added to sauerkraut fermentation? ›

Salt causes the cabbage cells to release fermentable sugars and inhibits growth of undesirable yeasts, molds, and bacteria. The bacteria needed for safe fermentation tolerate higher concentrations of salt.

What fermented foods are salt-free? ›

Fermented vegetables, such as kimchi or pickles, can be made with little to no added salt. Additionally, there are many non-vegetable fermented foods, such as kefir or kombucha, that do not contain high levels of salt.

How much is too much salt in sauerkraut? ›

The amount of salt is critical to the quality and safety of your sauerkraut. Salt concentration recommendations range from 1.5% to 2.5% (depending on the source). But, 2% percent salt of the weight of your cabbage is my recommended starting point. It's a common and widely accepted concentration.

How do you ferment vegetables with low sodium? ›

There are several alternatives to salt for fermenting food, including whey, brine from fermented vegetables, miso paste, soy sauce, and seaweed. These ingredients can provide the necessary microbial activity to ferment food without relying on salt.

What is the healthiest brand of sauerkraut? ›

Overall, we think Olive My Pickle Fermented Sauerkraut is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their gut health. It's a high-quality product that's made with simple, whole-food ingredients and contains probiotic live culture raw & unpasteurized foods.

What is a dangerously low sodium level? ›

The definition of a low sodium level is below 135 milliequivalents per liter (meq/l). Severe hyponatremia occurs when levels drop below 125 meq/l. Health issues arising from extremely low sodium levels may be fatal.

What are the best low sodium fermented foods? ›

Some of the most popular fermented foods that are low in sodium include:
  • Kefir.
  • Kombucha.
  • Sauerkraut.
  • Miso.
  • Cottage cheese.
  • Greek yogurt.
  • Kimchi.
  • Tempeh.

Is all sauerkraut salty? ›

Sauerkraut will taste salty due to it being fermented in salt. However, it should not taste overly salty. There are a couple of reasons for a finished batch of sauerkraut to taste too salty. One, Too much salt was added.

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