Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (2024)

More Delicious With Bacon and Brown Sugar

Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (1)

German Sauerkraut Casserole Das Ist Gut Ja

This is a little story about how I found this incredible German Sauerkraut casserole recipe. In early October last year, my husband and I had one of our little adventures. They're usually not much more than a day trip and an overnight, but still, a break from the everyday.

A generous friend offered us the use of her beautiful home for a night. It sits on a private cove on a tucked-away lake, and it's incredible. She plans to turn it into a vacation rental and wanted us to share our thoughts.

The weather was uncharacteristically yucky for that time of year, as it turned out. Cold and wet. So, instead of a walk, we went for a drive looking for something fun to eat and landed in nearby Eustis, Nebraska.

It's "The Sausage Capital" of our dear state. Eustis is very German and famous for the sausage made there. Their annual community celebration is called "Wurst Tag," which literally means Sausage Day!

Our Little Adventure In A Little German Town

We drove through the tiny, tidy downtown, looking for a cafe. Then we noticed a sign that read, "German Dinner served today 11:00-1:00." We were in adventure mode and eager to try something different.

So we thought, why not? I mean, my husband is 100% German, right? And German food is hearty, flavorful, and unique. We bought a ticket and got in line.

The German dinner in Eustis was a buffet. I always like to try a new dish, so I tasted a little dab of this interesting-looking casserole. Immediately, I grabbed a larger serving. The flavor is indescribably sweet, sour, salty, and savory all at the same time!

We all know the marriage of bacon and brown sugar is made in heaven, right? Well, I gotta tell you, the angels sang Handel's Hallelujah Chorus after my first bite of that amazing German sauerkraut casserole, and I had to track down the person who brought it!

It didn't take long to sniff out the person who provided the casserole. She is proud of her recipe! The tall, lanky lady obligingly wrote it down on a slip of scrap paper and told me it would taste best if I used her homemade sauerkraut!

What an entrepreneur! She told us she makes and sells 500 pounds of fermented cabbage annually! I may look her up and buy some if we're lucky enough to go to Wurst Tag in June!

Why You'll Love This German Sauerkraut

Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (2)

This recipe has been shared more times than any recipe I have ever posted. Here are some of the comments:

"Man, I was nervous making this looking at those ingredients, thinking it was going to be way too sweet ….....This dish is absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!! Everything comes together so well, so delicious!!!!!!! Do not be nervous and just go for it so worth it !!!"

"I made this last night and I shared it with my daughter-in-law and I wish I had kept it all to myself Lol. It was that good and now I find myself craving it...... I will say I worried that no one would like it because the ingredients just didn't seem to go together. Happily I was so wrong."

It's easy to make and makes and incredibly good side dish with almost anything. You can add bulk sausage, browned and crumbled, or cut up smoked sausage or Kielbasa, and it will become a favorite main dish!

Don't Knock It 'Til You've Tried It

Do you know how some dresses don't look good on the hanger but are amazingly flattering when you try them on?

This is that kind of dish. You've got to trust me on this one. I might not have tried this casserole if I just ran across the recipe somewhere. Tomatoes and brown sugar?? Doesn't taste good on the hanger, if you know what I mean! But boy oh boy, is it ever yummy!!

Here's How You Make German Sauerkraut Casserole

Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (3)

This German sauerkraut casserole recipe gets off to a good start with bacon, diced and fried, and adding onion and sauteeing it in the drippings until it is tender and transparent. So far so good, right?

Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (4)

Simply add a quart package of fresh refrigerated sauerkraut, undrained, a can of petite diced tomatoes, drained, and both brown and white sugar. Sound crazy, I know! A 32-ounce package is a quart.

Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (5)

Put it in a shallow casserole dish and bake it in a 350-degree oven for about an hour. Some of the liquid will evaporate during the baking, and that intensifies all the flavors.

Yield: 12 servings

German Sauerkraut Casserole

Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (6)

A very unusual combination of ingredients makes an incredibly delicious sauerkraut casserole that is salty, sweet, and savory.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound bacon cut into one-inch pieces, cooked crisp. Reserve 2-3 Tbsp drippings
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • One 15-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1-quart fresh sauerkraut from the refrigerated section. Do not drain.

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Fry bacon until crisp.
  3. Reserve 2-3 Tbsp of the drippings.
  4. Saute onion in bacon drippings until transparent.
  5. Combine all ingredients in a shallow casserole dish. (You want some of the liquid to evaporate.)
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Notes

Add bulk sausage browned and crumbled, or add sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa if desired before baking.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 188Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 791mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 3gSugar: 19gProtein: 8g

My husband is pure German on both sides of his family so I love making German food for him like German Red Cabbage, and Hot German Potato Salad!

If you enjoyed this recipe today, pleaseshareit on your social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. I'd sure be tickled and ever so grateful; thank you!

If you haven't already, check out myFacebookpage,where I'll post easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes every week!

Incredibly Amazing German Sauerkraut Casserole | GB's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between German sauerkraut and regular sauerkraut? ›

In Germany and Austria, cooked sauerkraut is often flavored with juniper berries or caraway seeds; apples and white wine are added in popular variations. In South Tyrol, it is made with Juniper berries, Extra-virgin olive oil and smoked pancetta.

How is Bavarian sauerkraut different? ›

There are many different ways, my favorite recipe is the Bavarian style Sauerkraut. Although some people don't care for caraway seeds, there are other add-ons like onions, bay leaves, juniper berries, and a couple of gloves.

Should you rinse canned sauerkraut before cooking? ›

It's not necessary to rinse, unless you prefer it that way

Yet, while many agree that this extra step should be avoided, there are exceptions. According to Everyday Health, store-bought sauerkraut is often saltier than homemade versions, making it more than acceptable to dilute the product with water.

What do Germans eat with sauerkraut? ›

This easy recipe for sauerkraut is a staple in our German menu. It's delicious with almost anything. Yes, sauerkraut goes with pork, beef, sausage, noodles, potatoes, dumplings, etc., etc. It goes into casseroles, into soups, on sausages, etc., etc.

Why do Germans eat so much sauerkraut? ›

Generations ago, the Germans likely felt better after eating their beloved fermented cabbage and recognized sauerkraut's digestive and immune-boosting properties.

Is Aldi German sauerkraut fermented? ›

Aldi Deutsche Kuchen German sauerkraut contains only cabbage, salt and water. That means the sour flavors come from lactose fermentation, not vinegar. However, since it comes in a room temperature jar, it was pasteurized, which should kill most of all probiotics.

What is the most popular sauerkraut in Germany? ›

Germany's bestselling pickle and sauerkraut brand, Hengstenberg has been a symbol of quality for more than 140 years.

What do Germans call sauerkraut? ›

Sauerkraut is the German language equivalent of “sour cabbage.” In reality though, it can mean different things to different people. To busy home chefs, sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage, is a fast, easy way to liven up their families' favorite meals.

What is the healthiest type of sauerkraut? ›

Raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut contains beneficial probiotics that generally do not survive the pasteurization process. You can typically find these in the refrigerated sections of some grocery stores, but it's best to check the label to make sure your sauerkraut has not been pasteurized.

Is bagged sauerkraut better than canned? ›

In order to reap the probiotic health benefits of sauerkraut, buy refrigerated sauerkraut available in bags or pouches instead of in cans or jars. Avoid sauerkraut that has vinegar or sweeteners.

Does canning destroy probiotics in sauerkraut? ›

Some fermented foods lose their probiotic organisms as a result of heat treatment. Canned sauerkraut and canned kimchi, two foods that contain probiotics when not canned, are put under heat as part of the canning process. Often, this heat deactivates the probiotics found in these foods.

Can dogs eat sauerkraut? ›

Raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut that is made purely from cabbage and lactic acid can be a healthy addition to your dog's diet – though it shouldn't be a main component. A small amount on a fairly regular basis can be good for their gut health, however most of these benefits can be found in traditional dog foods.

What country eats the most sauerkraut? ›

Germany is considered a sauerkraut nation - especially in international perception. During world war, English and American opponents even called Germans "Krauts". And the term is still used today. As a side note, however, the per capita consumption of sauerkraut is higher in the US and France than in Germany.

What was sauerkraut called during ww2? ›

An alternative name had therefore to be found for sauerkraut, and the choice fell on liberty cabbage. The image appealed to was presumably of America as the land of the free, defending the liberty of the world against German tyranny.

What is the healthiest form of sauerkraut? ›

Raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut contains beneficial probiotics that generally do not survive the pasteurization process. You can typically find these in the refrigerated sections of some grocery stores, but it's best to check the label to make sure your sauerkraut has not been pasteurized.

Does German style sauerkraut have probiotics? ›

However, it's not just sauerkraut's fiber content that makes this food so good for digestion. Sauerkraut is also packed with probiotics that can improve your overall gut health. This combination makes sauerkraut an excellent food to aid with digestion.

What does German sauerkraut taste like? ›

The taste is in the name, even if it's spelled the German way. Good sauerkraut has a sour punch, backed by acidic and salty notes. It's not sour like Sour Patch Kids or Warheads; it has a far more natural taste (close to the flavor of a pickle) that is quite delicious in big heaping doses.

What are the two types of sauerkraut? ›

The first is the canned shelf-stable kind usually has sugar and is really pickled cabbage. The second is lacto-fermented sauerkraut or cabbage that has been fermented at room temperature with salt until it creates the perfect “sour” flavor.

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