Sauerkraut for Canning

Directions

1. Remove outer leaves and any undesirable portions from firm mature heads of cabbage; wash and drain. Cut into halves or quarters; remove core. Use a shredder or sharp knife to cut cabbage into thin shreds about the thickness of a dime.
2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 3 tablespoons salt with 5 lbs. shredded cabbage. Let salted cabbage stand for several minutes to wilt slightly; this allows packing without excessive breaking or bruising of the shreds.
3. Pack salted cabbage firmly and evenly into a large, clean pickling container. Using a wooden spoon, tapper or hands, press down firmly until the juice comes to the surface.
4. Repeat shredding, salting and packing of cabbage until the container is filled to within 3 to 4 inches of the top. If juice does not cover cabbage, add brine: 1 1/2 tablespoons salt to 1 quart water; bring brine to a boil; cool.
5. Cover cabbage with muslin or cheesecloth and tuck edges down against the inside of the container. Weight down cabbage under brine. Formation of gas bubbles indicates fermentation is taking place. Remove and discard scum formation each day. A room temperature of 70 degrees to 75 degrees F is best for fermenting cabbage. Fermentation is usually complete in 3 to 6 weeks.
6. TO CAN: Bring sauerkraut to a simmer (185 to 210degrees F). Do not boil. Pack hot cabbage into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Adjust caps. Process pints 15 minutes, quarts 20 minutes, in a boiling water canner.

Share It

Reviews (15)

Your Rating:

353

GRANDMANORMA

Mar. 25, 2004

"I am an old farmer from 'way back and have made my own kraut for years. This is the way I make it, except I don't use a crock, but pack the shredded cabbage directly into wide-mouth quart jars. Store ..." See moreat temperature of 60-70 degrees, covered with an old blanket to keep dark. (I store it in an outbuilding.)In six to seven weeks, we feast on sauerkraut and ribs. Makes about 18 quarts. I run the quarts through a boiling water bath for about 20 minutes to seal. (A 15" piece of 3/4" dowel makes a great tapper!)"

117

Hotchie

Jul. 24, 2003

"Anyone who loves sauerkraut will love this recipe...easy to do, and delicious. It's made just the way my mother-in -law has made it for years. I never buy store sauerkraut anymore!..." See more"

95

Gramma_Rox

Oct. 14, 2009

"I've been using this recipe for years and it always turns out great - except last year when I left it way too long and it got mushy :( I use kosher salt instead of canning salt, so have to use 4 Tbsp..." See more to get the right weight. I make the kraut in 5 lb. batches and mix it well in a large container as the salt needs to be evenly dispersed before packing in the buckets. I use a 5 gallon white food safe bucket (which holds up to 25 pounds of cabbage). I scrub it well, pre-rinse with a bleach/water solution and then rinse well with water. I weigh the kraut down with a glass pie plate and gallon jar with water in it. For more tart kraut, you can also add a cup apple cider vinegar."