How to Make Sauerkraut in Mason Jars

Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by Ellen Christian

So a few months ago, I decided that I wanted to learn how to make sauerkraut in Mason jars. I was tired of paying $9 for a little jar of organic sauerkraut at the food coop. After all, cabbage is really cheap – even organic cabbage – and I have a lot of Mason jars. 

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How to make sauerkraut in Mason jars

How to Make Sauerkraut in Mason Jars

I was sent The DIY Pantry: 30 Minutes to Healthy, Homemade Food by Kresha Faber for review and as I flipped through it, I realized she uses the same method for her sauerkraut that I do. 

All that you need to make sauerkraut is cabbage and sea salt. You also need a very large glass jar or sauerkraut crock and some sort of weight for the top.  

I used a large Mason jar, a piece of plastic wrap, and a plastic bag filled with water as a weight. Eventually, I want to buy my own sauerkraut crock but they are rather expensive.

How to make sauerkraut in Mason jars

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There are more than 150 natural, budget friendly recipes and tips for storing your food. A definite must for anyone trying to stay away from store-bought, processed foods containing questionable ingredients.

How to make sauerkraut in Mason jars
How do you make sauerkraut from scratch?

So, there are several ways to make sauerkraut from scratch, but this how to make sauerkraut in mason jars. Finally, I hope you enjoy my old fashioned sauerkraut recipe.

How long to ferment sauerkraut in a jar?

It takes three to four weeks. You will need to check it regularly to find out when it’s done.

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of organic cabbage
  • several handfuls of sea salt

How to Make Sauerkraut in Mason Jars from Scratch

How to make sauerkraut in mason jars

  1. Shred the cabbage. I used a food processor. Some people like to chop it with a large knife. Whatever works for you is fine.
  2. Start layering in the jar a few inches of shredded cabbage then about a tablespoon or less of sea salt. Press down each layer as you go.
  3. The sea salt draws out the moisture from the cabbage which creates a brine.
  4. Continue until the jar is almost full.
  5. Leave a few inches at the top of the jar. Cover it with a large piece of plastic wrap and press down making sure that the plastic wrap comes out of the top of the jar.
  6. Fill a plastic bag with water and use that to weight down the sauerkraut and keep it under the brine.
  7. Every day, press the sauerkraut down. Every other day, change the plastic wrap.
  8. Taste once a week until it tastes the way you like it. Mine takes about 6-8 weeks.
  9. Divide into smaller jars and store in the refrigerator until you want it. Then start over so you have a new batch.

person eating sauerkraut

Related reading

So, now that you know how to make sauerkraut in mason jars, you might want to try these.

Yield: 12

How to Make Sauerkraut in Mason Jars

How to make sauerkraut in Mason jars

How to make sauerkraut in mason jars

Prep Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of organic cabbage
  • several handfuls of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Shred the cabbage. I used a food processor. Some people like to chop it with a large knife. Whatever works for you is fine.
  2. Start layering in the jar a few inches of shredded cabbage then about a tablespoon or less of sea salt. Press down each layer as you go.
  3. The sea salt draws out the moisture from the cabbage which creates a brine.
  4. Continue until the jar is almost full.
  5. Leave a few inches at the top of the jar. Cover it with a large piece of plastic wrap and press down making sure that the plastic wrap comes out of the top of the jar.
  6. Fill a plastic bag with water and use that to weight down the sauerkraut and keep it under the brine.
  7. Every day, press the sauerkraut down. Every other day, change the plastic wrap.
  8. Taste once a week until it tastes the way you like it. Mine takes about 6-8 weeks.
  9. Divide into smaller jars and store in the refrigerator until you want it. Then start over so you have a new batch.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1832mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this, tag me on Instagram so I can see @ellenblogs

60 thoughts on “How to Make Sauerkraut in Mason Jars”

  1. I an trying your recipe for sauerkraut. Do I leave it out after preparing it for fermentation or do I refrigerate during the process?

    Reply
  2. Hi Ellen,

    We just wanted to reach out and say thank you for recommending our SAUERKROCK fermentation crock to your viewers! And we love your recipe for sauerkraut – very simple and easy to follow, just like a sauerkraut recipe should be 🙂

    Happy Fermenting!

    MacKenzie @ Humble House

    Reply
  3. We love sauerkraut in our family, well my hubby and I do, the kids not so much. I love it with pierogies and turkey sausage. But when I cook the sauerkraut I add bay leaves, pepper, and mushrooms. SO good.

    Reply
  4. I didn’t use to like sauerkraut, but since moving to Europe I have a new appreciation for it. So yummy with German sausages! I’ll have to try this recipe out.

    Reply
  5. I had no idea it was so easy to make sauerkraut. My Husband will love this. thank you for making it seem so easy and accessible 

    Reply
  6. I love your blog for recipes just like this one! I would love to try yours, but I think I can give this a try. You always make it look so easy.

    Reply
  7. You know… I had no idea that sauerkraut was cabbage. Duh. LOL Now that you break it down like this, doesn’t look too hard at all!

    Reply
  8. We enjoy homemade sauerkraut and usually order it from a local church. I always thought about making it, but thought I had to do it on a larger scale. Your success with a mason jar has me thinking, I need to try my own. Thanks!

    Reply
  9. I hope this doesnt sound bad, but my mother in law is SO hard to buy for . . and she LOVES sauerkraut because she eats it with the Ukrainian foods she makes.  If I made this for er and tied some pretty ribbons on the jars, she would love me forever! 

    Reply
  10. Wow! I never realized that making sauerkraut at home could be such an easy process! Thanks for breaking it down for us, I really need to try this. My mom would be so impressed with me 😉 She loves that!

    Reply
  11. My dad used to make mom go outside when she ate sauerkraut. She loves it, he couldn’t stand the smell. So funny. And still my mom loves Rueben sandwiches.

    Reply

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