German Homemade Sauerkraut is popular side dish for most German foods!
Today, Culinary Journey Around the World tour has Germany up next on our itinerary! German food is rich, hearty and delicious and many top German dishes make great comfort food. I’m super excited to spend a few weeks exploring german foods and visiting the countryside too! German Homemade Sauerkraut recipe just has to be up first because it’s used in so many different ways in the German cuisine.
Sauerkraut is a staple in the German diet since the 1600s, earning Germans the unflattering ‘Kraut’ moniker, one they have come to accept with humor. Yet, sauerkraut, which is made up of the German words sauer (sour) and kraut (cabbage) is officially a Chinese invention. It’s a low calorie food and is loaded with folate, vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin and vitamin K. It provides one third of the recommended intake of vitamin c and is also rich in minerals such as iron, potassium and magnesium.
Sauerkraut is popular in the USA mostly because of The Reuben Sandwich which was actually invented by a German immigrant Arnold Reuben, who sold the sandwiches at his deli in New York City.
In Germany sauerkraut accompanies many different recipes like Sauerbraten (‘pickled’ roast), Rouladen (wrapping thinly sliced meat around a filling), and Wurst (sausage) just to name a few! It’s a must-have addition to most German tables!
This week, I thought it would be fun to visit some of the most popular castles and palaces in Germany. . .
Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular of all the palaces and castles in Europe. Every year 1.4 million people visit “the castle of the fairy-tale king”. In the summer around 6,000 visitors a day stream through rooms that were intended for a single inhabitant.
Heidelberg Palace ruins attracts around a million visitors from all over the world. Since the early 19th century, these impressive ruins have been synonymous with Romanticism. Heidelberg Palace is the world’s most famous palace ruin – one whose beauty is enchanting no matter how many times you visit. In the late 17th century, the palace was repeatedly attacked and ultimately destroyed by the French in the War of the Grand Alliance.
Hohenschwangau Castle , Crown Prince Maximilian II of Bavaria, Ludwig II’s father, had the ruined castle of Schwanstein rebuilt from 1832 in the “Gothic style”. The young Ludwig was influenced by the romantic mountain scenery and the summer castle became one of his favorite places to stay.
Hohenschwangau was decorated with scenes from medieval legends and poetry, including the legend of the swan knight Lohengrin. Ludwig identified himself when still a boy with Lohengrin, to whom Richard Wagner dedicated a romantic opera in 1850.
German Homemade Sauerkraut will be some upcoming recipes as we explore the German cuisine!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Much Love and Peace~
Ruthie
German Homemade Sauerkraut

Ingredients
- 5 cups shredded green cabbage, one cabbage head
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3-4 slices thick, lean bacon
- 1/2 cup peeled, grated potato
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 whole juniper berries
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ground black pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large pot and gently simmer for 2 hours.
- Cool, remove bacon and bay leaf.
- Refrigerate and serve within up to 7 days.
- Enjoy!
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