Traditional Polish sauerkraut salad with carrot and apple is zesty, tangy and delicious. Easy to make, full of goodness and bursting with flavour! Ready in just over 10 minutes.
Today I am sharing a recipe for Polish sauerkraut salad with carrot and apple. In Poland a salad made using (usually shredded) raw vegetables is called 'surowka' (which comes from 'surowy', meaning 'raw'). This is the most popular everyday type of salad, which can be put together using a variety of vegetables (ones that can be grated), easy to make using whichever ones people have on hand.
Sauerkraut salad is one type of surowka.
Sauerkraut salad ingredients
Most versions of Polish salad with sauerkraut usually contain carrot, occasionally apple, onion, as well as sugar. I swapped the sugar for fresh orange juice (which together with the oil creates a simple dressing), added lemon zest for a hint of citrus and gave this salad a fresh new look by spiralizing the carrot and apple. I chose to use a spiralizer in this sauerkraut coleslaw because it makes it lighter, at the same time adding more volume.
If, however, you prefer to serve this salad in a traditional way simply coarsely grate the carrot and apple (in a food processor).
Another ingredient traditionally used in sauerkraut salad (and sauerkraut recipes in general) is caraway seeds. Toasting brings out the nutty, sweet notes in these seeds and makes their aniseed flavour a little more subdued. A small amount of these seeds, toasted and lightly crushed, adds an interesting flavour dimension to this salad.
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 delicatessen). It should have a yellow/greenish tint, rather than grey. Delicious sauerkraut will produce a delicious sauerkraut salad!
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.To prepare the sauerkraut place it in a strainer and press gently to remove excess moisture then chop roughly and combine with the carrot (spiralized or grated) and onion.
2. Toast the caraway seeds in a pan for a minute or so then lightly crush.
3. Add into the salad along with the apple, the juice of orange and lemon as well as the oil. Add the lemon zest and pepper to taste.
4. Stir thoroughly (I used 2 forks to do this) and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving if possible.
Serving suggestions
This salad with sauerkraut is delicious with fish (fried or grilled as well as salmon burgers), chicken (try it with chicken burgers), turkey (such as turkey patties) or pork dishes, alongside mashed potato. This salad can also be served with buckwheat, rice or vegetable patties.
Can I make this salad ahead
Yes, you can! You can make it for up to 2 hours in advance, keep covered and refrigerated. I don't recommend making it too far in advance as the ingredients will start releasing juice and become soggy.
Top tips and FAQs
- 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).
- Preparation: You can either coarsely grate or spiralize the carrot and apple.
- 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. (It may only need some pepper).
- Serving: Best served chilled. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving if possible.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Related recipes
- Polish Sauerkraut Soup Recipe (Kapusniak)
- Authentic Polish Bigos Stew Recipe
- Sauerkraut Casserole with Chicken
- Polish Cold Beet Salad
- Polish Cucumber Salad (Mizeria) 2 Ways
Check out also my tips on how to cook sauerkraut!
Keep in touch!
Have you made this 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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Recipe
Polish Sauerkraut Salad
Equipment
- Food processor or spiralizer
Ingredients
- 3.53 ounces (100 g) sauerkraut chopped, strained, weigh after excess moisture has been removed
- 1 large sweet apple cored
- 1 large carrot peeled
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- ½ orange juice only
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ⅔ teaspoon caraway seeds toasted, lightly crushed
- Sea salt and pepper to taste *see Notes
Instructions
- To prepare the sauerkraut place it in a strainer, gently press to remove excess moisture then chop roughly.
- Spiralize (or coarsely grate) the carrot and place in a large salad bowl. Add the onion and sauerkraut.
- Dry toast the caraway seeds in a small pan. Lightly crush and add into the salad.
- Spiralize (or coarsely grate) the apple and add into the salad. Pour in the orange juice, lemon juice, oil, add the lemon zest and mix together using 2 forks/large spoons. Taste to check if any seasoning is required. Serve immediately.
Notes
- 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).
- Preparation: You can either coarsely grate or spiralize the carrot and apple.
- 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. (It may only need some pepper).
- Serving: Best served chilled. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving if possible.
- This salad can be made up to 2 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.
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!
Jhuls says
I have another reason to get a spiralizer? This one sounds very delicious to me and I'd love to have a serving, please. Thanks for bringing this yummy dish at this week's Fiesta Friday party, Monika. Have a lovely weekend!
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. 😀
[email protected] and TraceyDelaplainMD.com 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.
I'll see you at Fiesta Friday,
Tracey
Monika says
Thank you Tracey! Yes, it is quite healthy and the salad is very easy to make:) Happy FF!
mealsandmakes says
This looks delicious, what a great recipe for the summer. I like the idea of using apple and caraway seeds. #CookBlogShare
Monika says
Thank you! Although this salad can be made any time I like it especially in the summer. It's so refreshing!
Recipes Made Easy says
There is no doubt about it spiralized salad look really pretty. I dont mind carraway seeds in small doses so get where you are coming from on that point. Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare
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:)
hijackedbytwins says
Sauerkraut is something I keep on meaning to try to make. This salad looks and sounds so good! The perfect lunch. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Monika says
Thank you Kirsty! I hope you like it if you do try it:)