This Polish inspired sauerkraut salad recipe with carrot and apple is a sugar free version of traditional sauerkraut salad. Easy to make, full of goodness and bursting with flavour! Enjoy as a side dish or on its own.
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'. So this zesty sauerkraut salad is a type of surowka salad.
Sauerkraut is a very popular ingredient in Poland and one I vividly remember from my childhood. I don't think I'd be able to create a sauerkraut recipe without some connection, however small, to my memory of it as a child.
Sauerkraut salad ingredients
The traditional version of sauerkraut salad usually also contains carrot, occasionally apple, onion, as well as sugar. I swapped the sugar for fresh orange juice, added lemon zest 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 this salad lighter, at the same time adding more volume.
Plus it's difficult to make sauerkraut look attractive! And this method definitely works better than others.
If, however, you prefer to serve this salad in a traditional way simply coarsely grate the carrot and apple instead of using the spiralizer.
Another ingredients traditionally used in sauerkraut salad 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 simple sauerkraut 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). Delicious sauerkraut will produce a delicious sauerkraut salad!
Step-by-step recipe instructions
Assembling this salad is very simple.
1.Combine the sauerkraut 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 enjoy!
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 tint (not grey).
- Preparation: You can either coarsely grate or spiralize the carrot and apple.
- Apple: You can use unpeeled apple in this salad. Ensure it's sweet, not tart.
- 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 immediately.
- Not suitable for freezing.
More Polish salad recipes
- My Mum's Polish Potato Salad (Jarzynowa)
- Polish Cucumber Salad (Mizeria) 2 Ways
- Polish Cold Beet Salad
More sauerkraut recipes
Some time ago I posted this sauerkraut vegetable kapusniak soup recipe. It was essentially a vegetarian version of the soup my mum used to cook. Another traditional Polish recipe on my blog containing sauerkraut is Polish sauerkraut dumplings (pierogi z kapusta) recipe. You might also like this hearty sauerkraut casserole with chicken as well as Polish bigos sauerkraut stew recipe.
You might also like my roundup of 15 Easy Veggie Spaghetti Spiralizer Recipes.
Check out also this collection of 15+ easy vegan salads for even more salad inspiration!
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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Sauerkraut Salad Recipe with Carrot & Apple
Ingredients
- 100 g sauerkraut, chopped after excess juice has been squeezed out
- 1 large sweet apple unpeeled, cored
- 1 large carrot peeled
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- ½ orange juice only
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3-4 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp caraway seeds toasted, lightly crushed
- Sea salt and pepper to taste *see Notes
Instructions
- 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 tint (not grey).
- Preparation: You can either coarsely grate or spiralize the carrot and apple.
- Apple: You can use unpeeled apple in this salad. Ensure it's sweet, not tart.
- 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 immediately.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
Hi, I am Monika, welcome to Everyday Healthy Recipes! This blog is all about creatively simple recipes with a healthy twist, old classics with a modern take, and an occasional Polish dish thrown into the mix - all easy to make, healthy and delicious, perfect for everyday cooking. 
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!
Thanks Jhuls! I love my spiralizer and constantly think of recipes where I could use it:)
I think that would happen to me when I get one for myself. 😀
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
Thank you Tracey! Yes, it is quite healthy and the salad is very easy to make:) Happy FF!
This looks delicious, what a great recipe for the summer. I like the idea of using apple and caraway seeds. #CookBlogShare
Thank you! Although this salad can be made any time I like it especially in the summer. It's so refreshing!
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
Thanks Jacqui! Glad we are on the same page when it comes to spiralizing:)
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
Thank you Angela! I hope your neighbour makes this recipe next time you get him some sauerkraut (and likes it:)
Salad looks colorful and ingredients are interesting.. did you mean grapeseed oil?
Thank you! I use rapeseed oil, but you can use any, grapeseed as well:)
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
Thank you Kirsty! I hope you like it if you do try it:)