German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (2024)

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German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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Cold days are upon us once again, which means it's soup season. I just love this time of year because there's nothing like a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day, and this Sauerkraut Soup recipe, aka Sauerkrautsuppe, fits the bill perfectly.

It's an easy Eintopf (one-pot meal) that Germany is so famous for. Everything's cooked in one pot, which makes for easy clean-up. Gotta love that!

This delicious soup, made with simple ingredients, is one of many popular soupsin Germany.

German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (4)

It's so easy to make and you can alter the amounts of the veggies or meat according to your tastes. Soup is simply a mix of what you like.

Measurements can be approximate (within reason!). It can be a bit of this and a bit of that. So, make this Sauerkraut Soup your own favorite!

When making the Sauerkraut Soup, make it just like Oma would ...

  • The quantities of veggies can easily be changed. Really doesn't need to be measured. Just be sure that the broth covers everything.
  • Dissolve 2 - 4 beef bouillon cubes, depending on the brand, in 4 cups water to make beef broth, if desired.

Oma says:

Since I just love quick soup recipes, and quick recipes are what this website is all about, this German Sauerkraut Soup really fits well when you use purchased frozen meatballs.

If you have time, you can always make meat balls from scratch.

Grab your copy of Oma's favorite soups collection inQuick Fix German Soups e-Cookbook. You'll LOVE it!

German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (5)

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

Sauerkraut Soup?

I love sauerkraut. I just never had it in a soup when I was growing up. Sauerkraut was something that was served as a side dish.

When I was asked a while ago for an easy sauerkraut soup recipe, I thought it a bit strange. That is, until I did some research and looked through lots of German cookbooks. I found a great assortment of sauerkraut soups and even a sauerkraut casserole.

I did some experimenting and this soup is the result. It always gets rave reviews when I serve it. To round out the meal, this soup tastes great when it's served with a salad, such as thislettuce salad with sour cream salad dressing and some fresh buns, or fresh crusty bread like myhomemade artisan bread.

Not only is sauerkraut in its many forms popular in Germany, but my friend, Jennifer, has a slow cooker Polish sauerkraut soupthat you should try as well.

Want more German recipes with sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is one of the best-known national dishes in Germany. The word sauerkraut, by the way, translates as sour cabbage. It is raw cabbage that has been fermented. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor. The longer the fermentation process, the better it tastes, in my humble opinion.

It can easily be found at any grocery store or, better yet, you can make your very own homemade sauerkraut. It's so very easy to make and tastes so much better than store-bought sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut is one of many delicious foods that Germany is known for. Is it any wonder there are so many delicious recipes with sauerkraut? If you need more sauerkraut in your life, check out the following recipes:

  1. Oma's German Sauerkraut Casserole
  2. Oma's Pork Hocks and Sauerkraut
  3. Oma's Homemade Sauerkraut
  4. Oma's Pork Chops with Sauerkraut
  5. Oma's Kasseler Chops with Sauerkraut
  6. Oma's German Sauerkraut Salad
  7. Oma's Cooked Sauerkraut Recipe
  8. Oma's Pork and Sauerkraut Recipes

How to make Sauerkraut Soup

Start by making your meatballs (unless using frozen) by mixing 1 pound lean ground beef with one egg and some salt and pepper, to taste. Form into 1-inch balls and set aside.

In a large soup pot, sauté 2 small diced onions (or 1 large onion) in a little oil until translucent. Sprinkle with some sugar and continue cooking until golden brown.

Add sauerkraut and continue sautéing for a few more minutes. Add paprika.

Add 4 cups broth along with the meatballs and diced potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 to 30 minutes.

Season soup with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, or to taste.

Serve in individual bowls with a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream, along with a fresh salad and some crusty bread for a deliciously wholesome meal.

Ready for Oma's Sauerkraut Soup?

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German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (7)

German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe

This Sauerkraut Soup recipe, aka Sauerkrautsuppe, is a favorite. It's one of the easy Eintopf (one-pot) meals that Germany is so famous for. Everything's cooked in one pot - easy clean-up! You can alter the amounts of the veggies or meat according to your tastes.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

Servings:

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

Either make your own meatballs:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • salt, pepper

OR use frozen:

  • 1 pound bag frozen meatballs (no need to thaw)

Soup:

  • 1 pound potatoes, peeled
  • 2 - 3 medium carrots, peeled
  • 2 small onions, diced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 28-ounce can or jar sauerkraut, drained (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 4 cups beef broth (or bouillon)
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp pepper, or to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. If you are making your own meatballs, mix together ground beef and egg. Season with salt and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
  2. Dice potatoes and carrots into small pieces, about 1-inch in size.
  3. In a large pot or dutch oven, sauté onions in oil over medium heat until translucent. Add sugar and continue sautéing until golden brown.
  4. Add drained sauerkraut. Continue sautéing for a few minutes. Add paprika.
  5. Add beef broth, meatballs, carrots, and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook, covered, for about 15 to 30 minutes.
  6. Season soup with salt and pepper, if desired.
  7. Serve in individual bowls with a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream, along with a fresh salad and crusty bread for an easy meal.

NOTES/HINTS

  • Use about 3 - 4 cups sauerkraut if using homemade. Since it is raw, it will reduce in volume as it's cooking.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container. This yummy soup tastes even better the next day.
  • Optional additional seasonings: Add caraway seeds with the paprika and/or a bay leaf along with the beef broth and other veggies. Or use any of your favorite fresh herbs.
  • Consider adding minced garlic cloves and/or diced celery for added nutrition.
  • Try adding a little bit of tomato paste for added depth of flavor.
  • Make a vegetarian version by omitting the meatballs (or use plant-based meatballs or white beans) and substitute vegetable stock for the beef broth.
  • Make it a Sauerkraut and Sausage Soup by replacing the meatballs with your favorite German sausage.

* * * * *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

12.14.2021 revision update

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  • German Sauerkraut Casserole with Ham or Kielbasa – Sauerkrautauflauf

    Here's a German sauerkraut casserole that uses up leftovers and turns them into a marvellous dinner that's quick and easy! A great dish to serve company!

  • German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch

    Make this beef barley soup recipe, Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch, when you need some real stick-to-your-ribs kind of German comfort food. Perfect for these cooler fall days.

  • Oma's Kasseler Chops with Sauerkraut

    Kassler chops with sauerkraut, a traditional Oktoberfest recipe, is delicious all year long. Easy to make, it's a favorite.

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German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (12)

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German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (19)

Sauerkraut Soup Recipe made Just like Oma



By Oma Gerhild Fulson


German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (20)


This Sauerkraut Soup recipe is a favorite. It really is the quintessential German soup! What a fabulous intro to your Oktoberfest meal!


Ingredients: ground beef,egg,seasonings,potatoes,carrots,onions,oil,sugar,sauerkraut,beef broth,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

"Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart."

Proverbs 11:11 (NLT)

Top of Sauerkraut Soup Recipe

German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe – Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe (2024)

FAQs

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

The many variations on sauerkraut

In Poland, the typical kraut gets made with shredded cabbage and shredded carrots. Another variety uses beets with the cabbage. This also gives it a very cool color as well I might add. In Germany, caraway seeds and juniper berries often get added to cooked sauerkraut.

What is the best sauerkraut in Germany? ›

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

What vegetable is the German dish of sauerkraut made from? ›

What is Sauerkraut? Sauerkraut is a fermented food made from cabbage. It has been consumed for thousands of years for its probiotic benefits and is rich in vitamins C, B, A, K, and a variety of minerals. It has a tangy flavor, crunchy texture, and is simple and cost-effective to make at home!

Which is better canned or bagged sauerkraut? ›

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.

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 is Germany's number one sauerkraut? ›

Our Wine Sauerkraut is No. 1 in Germany and the most popular all over the world. The secret of our Sauerkraut is its mild flavor and the gentle processing of selected cabbage from local contract farming – 100%.

What do Germans call sauerkraut? ›

What does sauerkraut mean? 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.

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.

What is the white stuff in sauerkraut? ›

White deposits at the bottom of the jar are normal – they're partly yeast and leftovers from fermentation (salt, sugar, etc.). Rest assured: in lacto-fermentation, everything that happens below the surface is harmless.

Is it OK to drink sauerkraut brine? ›

There are many ways to use this juice, believe it or not, you can even just drink the liquid straight like a tonic!

Where did sauerkraut soup originate? ›

Although "sauerkraut" is from a German word (Sauerkraut), the dish did not originate in Germany. Some claim fermenting cabbage suan cai was already practised in the days of the building of the Great Wall of China.

What kind of cabbage is best for sauerkraut? ›

Danish Ballhead, Late Flat Head and Premium Late Dutch are good cabbage varieties for sauerkraut. Krautman is one of the most popular varieties for making sauerkraut, and growers are encouraged to try new varieties as well.

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.

Is sauerkraut Ukrainian or German? ›

Americans most often associate it with German cuisine—and rightfully so, it is a national dish of Germany—but many Central and Eastern European countries have their own sauerkraut varieties, including Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Slovakia, and Czechia, to name a few.

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.

Does German sauerkraut have probiotics? ›

Sauerkraut is a source of probiotics and nutrients that support your immune system . For starters, the bacteria that populate your gut can have a strong influence on your immune system. The probiotics found in sauerkraut may help improve the balance of bacteria in your gut, which helps keep your gut lining healthy.

Is German style sauerkraut healthy? ›

Summary. Sauerkraut is a versatile food full of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Live sauerkraut can also contain probiotic bacteria, which are good for your gut. Some nutrients in sauerkraut may contribute to improved heart health, bone health, immune function, and inflammation.

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