Legume Free Homemade Sauerkraut
Tangy, crunchy, and alive with probiotic goodness, this homemade sauerkraut is one of those deeply satisfying kitchen projects that rewards patience with something genuinely delicious. The entire recipe calls for just two ingredients — green cabbage and non-iodized sea salt — so there is absolutely nothing hiding in the jar that shouldn't be there. That simplicity is a huge relief when you're avoiding legumes, since so many store-bought fermented products sneak in unexpected additions or are processed alongside soy and other problematic ingredients. The process is mostly hands-on in the best way: you massage the cabbage until it releases its own natural brine, then let time and fermentation do the rest. A water-filled zip-lock bag keeps everything submerged while the jar breathes under a loose cloth cover, creating the perfect low-oxygen environment for lacto-fermentation to work its magic. By day seven you can start tasting, and the result is a bright, pleasantly sour kraut that's incredible piled onto sausages, stirred into grain bowls, or eaten straight from the jar with a fork.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 1 small head green cabbage (about 2 lb), outer leaves reserved
- 1 tbsp fine sea salt (non-iodized)
Instructions
- 1
Peel off and set aside 1–2 large outer cabbage leaves. Quarter the cabbage, cut out the core, and slice the remaining cabbage into thin shreds about 1/8-inch thick.
- 2
Place the shredded cabbage in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the sea salt evenly over it. Massage and squeeze the cabbage firmly with clean hands for 8–10 minutes, until it has released a significant amount of liquid and feels limp and wet — the brine should pool visibly at the bottom of the bowl.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!