Traditional Polish sauerkraut salad with carrot and apple is zesty, tangy and delicious. It's easy to make using simple ingredients, nutritious and ready in just over 10 minutes!
Sauerkraut salad is one of the most popular, traditional salads in Poland. It's a type of surówka (from 'surowy', meaning 'raw'), which refers to any salad made using shredded (usually raw) vegetables. Other examples include cabbage slaw and beet slaw.
Polish sauerkraut surówka salad is easy to prepare, contains a handful of ingredients and is a staple vegetable side dish served throughout fall and winter in Poland. The tartness of the sauerkraut is toned down by the carrot, apple and onion, which also add freshness and colour to this simple salad (see below for a full list of ingredients). It's ready in minutes in just 3 steps, but can also be prepared ahead.
Sauerkraut salad ingredients and substitutions
- Sauerkraut: I recommend using good quality sauerkraut (see tips below). Sauerkraut often contains carrot (mine did), which is fine to use in this recipe, but make sure you also add grated carrot, as per Instructions.
- Carrot.
- Apple: I recommend using sweet tasting, rather than tart apple.
- Onion: I used red onion, but you can use sweet white onion, instead.
- Oil: use any neutral tasting oil. I used rice bran oil.
- Caraway seeds: traditionally used in Polish sauerkraut salad (as well as other sauerkraut dishes, such bigos stew). I like to toast the seeds as it brings out their nutty, sweet flavour, but this is optional.
- Dill.
- Salt and pepper: you may not need to add any salt (depending on how salty your sauerkraut is).
- Sugar: add to taste (you can also skip this ingredient).
Do I need to rinse the sauerkraut
No, you don't! Yes, it's salty and tangy but it wouldn't be sauerkraut if it wasn't. The apple, carrot and onion tone down the tang and saltiness and you can simply chop the sauerkraut and combine with the rest of the ingredients.
I do recommend, however, buying quality sauerkraut, preferably organic and without any additives (you should be able to find it in a Polish store). It should have a yellow/greenish tint, rather than grey. Delicious sauerkraut will produce a delicious sauerkraut salad!
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1. Prepare sauerkraut: Place the sauerkraut in a strainer and press gently to remove excess moisture (it shouldn't be dripping, but don't remove all the moisture). Chop the sauerkraut and add to a large mixing bowl.
2. Prepare caraway seeds: Toast the caraway seeds in a pan for a minute or so then lightly crush them. While toasting can be optional I do recommend crushing/chopping the seeds before adding into the salad.
3. Assemble salad: To the mixing bowl add the carrot, apple, onion, dill, caraway seeds, oil, sugar and pepper to taste. Stir until thoroughly combined then taste and adjust the seasoning if required. Serve or cover and refrigerate.
Serving suggestions
Polish salad with sauerkraut is often served with fried fish or chicken, classic kotlety, egg patties and other traditional Polish dishes, typically alongside mashed potatoes, but also with buckwheat and rice. As it's a versatile salad it also pairs well with potato fish cakes, veggie patties, turkey patties and many more dishes.
Can I make sauerkraut slaw ahead
Yes, you can! You can make it for up to 6 hours in advance, keep covered and refrigerated. I don't recommend making it too far in advance (i.e., the night before) as the ingredients will start releasing juice and may become a little soggy.
Top tips
- Sauerkraut: When you shop for sauerkraut look for organic, preservative free sauerkraut, if possible, (these are usually sold in Polish delicatessens), with a light yellow/greenish tint (not grey).
- You can but don't need to peel the apple for this salad. Ensure it's sweet, not sour.
- Seasoning: One thing to remember is that sauerkraut is quite salty so taste the salad before seasoning it (pepper alone might be sufficient).
- Serving: Polish sauerkraut salad is best served chilled. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving, if possible.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Related recipes to try next
See also these other delicious salad recipes, more traditional Polish recipes as well as my tips on how to cook sauerkraut!
Recipe
Polish Sauerkraut Salad (Surówka z Kapusty Kiszonej)
Equipment
- Box grater
Ingredients
- 7.76 ounces (220 g) sauerkraut drained, chopped, approx. 1½ cups, weigh after removing excess moisture
- 1 large sweet apple peeled/unpeeled, coarsely grated
- 1 med./large carrot peeled, coarsely grated
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1½ tablespoons dill finely chopped
- ⅔ teaspoon caraway seeds
- 3-4 tablespoons oil any neutral tasting
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Sea salt and pepper to taste *see Notes
Instructions
- Prepare sauerkraut: Place the sauerkraut in a strainer and press gently to remove excess moisture (it shouldn't be dripping, but don't remove all the moisture). Chop the sauerkraut and add to a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare caraway seeds: Toast the caraway seeds in a pan for a minute or so then lightly crush them. While toasting can be optional I do recommend crushing/chopping the seeds before adding into the salad.
- Assemble salad: To the mixing bowl add the carrot, apple, onion, dill, caraway seeds, oil, sugar and pepper to taste. Stir until thoroughly combined then taste and adjust the seasoning if required. Serve or cover and refrigerate.
Notes
- Sauerkraut: When you shop for sauerkraut look for organic, preservative free sauerkraut, if possible, (these are usually sold in Polish stores), with a light yellow/greenish tint (not grey).
- You can but don't need to peel the apple for this salad. Ensure it's sweet, not sour.
- *Seasoning: One thing to remember is that sauerkraut is quite salty so taste the salad before seasoning it (pepper alone might be sufficient).
- Serving: Best served chilled. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving if possible.
- This salad can be made up to 6 hours in advance. Keep covered, refrigerated.
- Serve with grilled or fried fish, chicken, turkey or pork dishes, alongside mashed potatoes.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Keep in touch!
Have you made this shredded sauerkraut salad recipe? I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Melissa says
This was so delicious and refreshing! I served it with beef and mushroom goulash and mashed potatoes tonight. I did not have any caraway seeds and it was still delicious. Thank you for this recipe. I look forward to trying more of your recipes!
Monika says
Thank you! Sauerkraut does work well in salads as it's so refreshing.
Darlene P White says
Hi, Monika! What a great sounding recipe! I have a dim memory of Sauerkraut Salad from my childhood, so I searched, and found you!
One of the new Covid activities I tried this Fall was making sauerkraut. This came about following experiencing Choucroute Nouvelle in Paris one Fall. The Restaurant had a huge banner gracing it’s front that Sauerkraut from the Alsace Lorraine region had just arrived. We were curious so entered at about 11 p.m. to find the restaurant crammed with people enjoying plates of food piled, boiled potatoes and the best Sauerkraut I’ve ever tasted! It was so good we went back the following evening.
Anyway, my Sauerkraut making adventure was a fantastic success! Initially I tried three different recipes. One was a horrible disaster, but the other two were delicious beyond my wildest dreams!
I currently have a two quart batch of sauerkraut with caraway seeds in it waiting to appear in your recipe! I promise to report back with the results! Merry Christmas,
Monika says
Hi Darlene, thank you for sharing this. Congratulations on making your own sauerkraut, I am sure homemade is better than any bought sauerkraut, with the exception of maybe the one served in the Parisian restaurant:) Hope you enjoy the salad. Let me know, thanks!
Monika says
Thanks Jhuls! I love my spiralizer and constantly think of recipes where I could use it:)
Jhuls says
I think that would happen to me when I get one for myself. 😀
Tracey says
What a great idea to add carrot and apple to sauerkraut. My husband loves sauerkraut and it's so good for you when it has active probiotics. I must try this.
Monika says
Thank you:)
Monika says
Thank you! Although this salad can be made any time I like it especially in the summer. It's so refreshing!
Monika says
Thanks Jacqui! Glad we are on the same page when it comes to spiralizing:)
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
It sounds so gorgeous and fresh Monika, and I know for a fact my neighbour would positively love this too - he often asks me to get him some sauerkraut.
Angela x
Monika says
Thank you Angela! I hope your neighbour makes this recipe next time you get him some sauerkraut (and likes it:)
Lathiya says
Salad looks colorful and ingredients are interesting.. did you mean grapeseed oil?
Monika says
Thank you! I use rapeseed oil, but you can use any, grapeseed as well:)
Kirsty says
This salad looks and sounds so good! The perfect lunch. Thank you for sharing x
Monika says
You are welcome:)