Kale Kraut

Kale and sauerkraut are two of the most beneficial foods to eat on a regular basis, but with such strong tastes, it can be hard to stomach them at every meal. Introducing, Kale Kraut! This recipe of kale and sauerkraut is a delicious and easy way to get these powerful foods into your everyday diet.

Benefits of Kale and Sauerkraut

Is it just me or does it seem that Kale has just come around in the last 10 years? I know it’s probably always existed, but it’s just in the last few years that people have been raving about kale.

Kale is in the food category of “bitter greens.” It is known for its high levels of vitamins like A, C, and K, along with copper, folic acid, and antioxidants.

This powerhouse vegetable also provides good ruffage for your body to digest, improving your gut health.

In addition, I recently learned that Kale is a powerful food for boosting progesterone which is needed for healthy ovulation in women. If you are someone who is interested in incorporating foods for hormone balance, Kale is a must!

I discuss the health benefits of fermented foods in my Easy Homemade Sauerkraut recipe. Sauerkraut is a fermented food that also promotes great gut health.

My journey with kale

Kale and Sauerkraut on their own are harder vegetables to stomach. My husband has been known to stuff raw kale leaves in his mouth and choke them down, but I have never been able to do that! Kale on its own, without a little doctoring, is a very strong leafy green. It has a slightly bitter and well, vegetable taste.

When I started learning how to incorporate kale into my diet, I still didn’t like it. I didn’t enjoy it raw, and it doesn’t blend all that well in smoothies. I was at a loss to figure out how to get this nutrition-packed vegetable in my regular diet.

The same is true with sauerkraut. Although sauerkraut is great on brats, I wasn’t willing to eat brats every day just to get this healthy fermented food into my diet.

Until one day when my husband was cooking dinner, he threw them both together in a skillet with some butter and salt and garlic, and oh man, was that good! We started having it on a regular basis, calling it Kale Kraut.

How to make Kale Kraut

Ingredients

This makes 2 servings of kale kraut:

• 1 tbsp cocnut oil or butter
• 4 branches of kale leaves
• 1/4 cup sauerkraut
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• pinch of salt

Step by step cooking instructions

The steps for making kale kraut are super easy! Which makes this so easy to add as a side to any meal.

1. Wash kale leaves

2. Measure sauerkraut and garlic

3. Heat coconut oil or butter in a skillet

4. Chop kale leaves into strips

5. Throw kale into the heated skillet and toss until coated in the oil

6. Cook for 2 minutes until it is slightly wilted

7. Add minced garlic and salt

8. Turn off the burner and remove skillet from the heat

9. Add 1/4 cup of sauerkraut and toss with the kale and garlic mixture.

10. Sprinkle with salt. The sauerkraut has a strong salty flavor, so you do not need much.

Pro tip: Steps 8-9 are important! You don’t want to let the sauerkraut cook for too long, as this will cook away the healthy fermented aspect of the sauerkraut. Removing it from the heat and tossing it with kale with allow it to warm, but not to cook.

Kitchen tools you will need to make Kale Kraut

Cast iron skillet or frying pan.

Cutting board

Chopping knives

Measuring spoons and cups

Spatula

Will Kale Kraut keep in the fridge?

Kale kraut is best eaten at the time it is made. I have kept leftover kale kraut in the fridge for a day or two and it tastes just fine! However, it will get soggy and more wilted the longer it’s left.

Which why it makes a great side to any meal. You don’t have to worry about packaging up the leftovers when you are done! Just cook up what you need.

Pairings with Kale Kraut

Kale kraut is such a great side! I have said it many times in this post, but it’s true. I like to think of it as a dinner salad. It goes well with sandwiches, soups, steak, or chicken. Here are some more specific ideas

• Grilled drumsticks, fried sweet potatoes and kale kraut.
• Hamburgers on the grill with skillet potatoes and kale kraut
• Homemade bone broth soup with kale kraut
• Sourdough bread deli sandwhiches with kale kraut, and fruit.
• Salmon, rice and kale kraut

Enjoy this printable recipe card for kale kraut!

Has anyone else had a hard time finding ways to incorporate kale and sauerkraut into regular meals? Leave me a comment below and let me know if you try this recipe!