How Long Does Sauerkraut Last? Does It Ever Go Bad?

Here’s all you need to know about storage, shelf life, and going bad of sauerkraut. In this article, you will learn if sauerkraut goes bad, how to tell if yours is spoiled, and how long it lasts.

There’s a lot of conflicting information about sauerkraut on the Internet. Some argue that it lasts forever, while several producers recommend storing theirs for only a week after opening.

In short, it’s confusing. And this article is my attempt to straighten things out.

To start, let’s talk about the two types of sauerkraut available. Knowing the differences between the two will make everything else so much easier.

Sauerkraut container in hand

Unpasteurized vs. Pasteurized Sauerkraut

There are two kinds of sauerkraut available on the market: unpasteurized and pasteurized.

The main difference between the two is that the first one is raw and alive, with a whole lot of probiotics, while the second one is cooked, and most of the probiotics are dead.

And since the first one is alive and the fermentation process is ongoing, you need to refrigerate it so that it doesn’t ferment too much and becomes too sour.

In pasteurized sauerkraut, the fermentation process has been stopped by applying heat, and because of that, there are no live bacteria. That means that as long as you leave the jar or can untouched, you don’t need to refrigerate it.

That’s why you see some sauerkraut in the refrigerated section while the rest sits on the shelves.

(Kombucha is another product you can buy both pasteurized and unpasteurized. Check out my Does kombucha need to be refrigerated? article, if you’re interested.)

There are also some products in between. They aren’t fully pasteurized but don’t require refrigeration either. Fortunately, most kraut out there is either one or the other.

Tip

If you buy sauerkraut for its health benefits, choose the one that’s sold refrigerated.

Knowing that there are two types of sauerkraut: unpasteurized (sold refrigerated) and pasteurized (shelf-stable), let’s tackle spoilage, shelf life, and storage of both.

Sauekraut container
Sauekraut container

Does Sauerkraut Go Bad?

Sauerkraut goes bad, but how long it lasts and how prone it is to spoilage depends on the type.

Pasteurized sauerkraut keeps for about a week after opening and easily goes bad.

Unpasteurized sauerkraut lasts for months after opening if you keep it submerged in brine and refrigerated. However, it gradually becomes sourer, and at a certain point, the taste is not acceptable anymore.

In other words, pasteurized sauerkraut doesn’t last much longer than regular shredded cabbage, while its unpasteurized counterpart doesn’t, assuming that you store the kraut properly.

Of course, if you don’t store your unpasteurized sauerkraut properly, it can dry out or even grow mold fairly quickly. That’s why it’s important to take good care of it.

(I cover storage in detail later in the article.)

Now, before we talk about signs of spoilage, let’s cover a couple of things you might find odd at first but are perfectly normal for unpasteurized sauerkraut.

Note

Sometimes, instead of the word “pasteurized,” the phrase “hot-packed” is used. It’s essentially the same thing.

Sauerkraut covered in brine
Sauerkraut covered in brine, the way it’s supposed to be.

What to Expect When Storing Unpasteurized Sauerkraut

As you already know, unpasteurized sauerkraut contains living organisms. That has several consequences, all of which are perfectly okay and don’t make the kraut spoiled.

Fizz and Bubbles

If your refrigerated sauerkraut is fizzy and bubbly after opening, that’s normal. The ongoing fermentation causes a buildup of CO2 gas, which doesn’t have anywhere to go because of the lid. After removing the top, the CO2 buildup can be released, causing bubbles.

That’s also why some brands put release valves on their packages.

(In case you were wondering, a similar thing happens to champagne.)

Bulged Lid

Same as above, the gas buildup can sometimes bulge the lid, and that’s normal. It’s not a common occurrence, but don’t panic if it happens to you.

Difficulty Unscrewing the Lid

The last effect of CO2 buildup in unpasteurized sauerkraut is that the lid might be difficult to get off.

Here are two things you can try to finally open that jar:

  • Leave the jar at room temperature for 5 minutes. It might help relieve some of the pressure and allow you in.
  • Run the lid edge under warm water for a few seconds. Same as above, we apply temperature change to help release the pressure.

Taste Differs Between Batches

Since refrigerated sauerkraut is a living thing, every batch is slightly different. So you don’t need to worry if the current container tastes slightly different from the last one. That’s just the nature of the beast.

Now that you know what’s okay for refrigerated kraut, let’s talk about signs of storage.

Warning

If your fermented cabbage is pasteurized and shows either of these signs, it’s almost certainly bad. You might want to check the FAQ section of the brand’s website for confirmation.

Sauerkraut, carrot, and apple salad
Sauerkraut, carrot, and apple salad

How to Tell if Sauerkraut Is Bad?

Discard sauerkraut if:

  • It smells off. If it smells funny, off, or like it’s rotting, it’s obvious that your sauerkraut has gone bad. Sauerkraut should smell fermenty and fresh.
  • There’s a white film on the surface. If the brine doesn’t cover the leaves, a couple of things could happen. They might dry out a bit, which isn’t a problem. But if you leave them uncovered for more than a couple of days, either white film (photo below) or mold shows up. If your kraut is unpasteurized, you could, in theory, eat whatever is under the brine, but I think discarding the remaining kraut, in this case, is the way to go. Better safe than sorry.
  • It’s too sour. If your unpasteurized sauerkraut sits in storage for too long, sooner or later, the cabbage will be too sour for your liking. That’s when it’s time to let it go.
  • It’s pasteurized and stored for too long after opening. If your pasteurized kraut is open for more than, say, two weeks (check the label for a recommendation), it’s time for it to go. It doesn’t go bad quickly because it’s usually brined with vinegar (which helps prevent bacteria from multiplying), but it doesn’t last nearly as long as unpasteurized kraut. As for raw sauerkraut, go with whatever you’re comfortable with time-wise.

Last but not least, remember that unpasteurized kraut might lose some of its crunch if stored for too long. If that’s a big deal for you, toss it for quality purposes.

Of course, if anything else about the fermented veggie seems off, trust your gut and discard the kraut. Better safe than sorry.

White film on sauerkraut
White film on sauerkraut. I toss it if this happens, and you should probably too.

How Long Does Sauerkraut Last?

 PantryFridge
Sauerkraut (unpasteurized, unopened) Sell-by + 3+ months
Sauerkraut (unpasteurized, open) 1-2+ months for best taste
Sauerkraut (pasteurized, unopened)Best-by + 3-6 months 
Sauerkraut (pasteurized, open) 5 – 7 days
Please note that the periods above are estimates and for best quality only.

Unpasteurized sauerkraut lasts in the fridge for a few months beyond the printed date and retains good quality for another 1 to 2 months after opening. The quality gradually degrades, but as long as the cabbage is covered in brine, it stays safe to eat.

Pasteurized sauerkraut keeps for months after the printed date but usually keeps for only about 7 to 10 days after opening.

As you can tell, the difference between the two is hugely in favor of the unpasteurized one.

Of course, the suggested storage time depends on the brand. Often, brands recommend going with the best-by date printed on the label or maybe adding a couple of extra months beyond it, no matter when you open the container.

That’s because the fermentation process is ongoing, and while the cabbage will stay safe for quite some time, it will retain peak flavor for only so long.

Like kimchi or unpasteurized pickles (do pickles go bad?), its taste deepens over time, and at some point, it might become too sour for your taste.

Sauerkraut date on label
Sauerkraut date on label

As for pasteurized sauerkraut, as long as you leave it unopened, it keeps for months past its date. But once you open the container, you only get a week and change to get the best results.

As I mentioned, pasteurized sauerkraut usually includes vinegar in brine. The vinegar helps the fermented cabbage last more than the usual 4 to 5 days of opening for canned foods, but the storage time is still quite limited.

Tip

Read the label. If your sauerkraut is pasteurized and the label says you can safely store it for longer than the mentioned period, follow that recommendation. Same thing if it says you should use it or discard it within 4 to 5 days.

Now that you know how long it’s good for after opening, it’s time to talk about how to store sauerkraut.

Does Sauerkraut Need to Be Refrigerated?

Unpasteurized (raw) sauerkraut requires refrigeration at all times, while its pasteurized cousin only after opening the container or jar. Of course, keeping unopened pasteurized sauerkraut in the fridge is also an option.

As I already mentioned, raw (unpasteurized) sauerkraut is still fermenting, and to slow down that process, you need to refrigerate it.

If you leave it on the counter, the process will speed up. And while it will not necessarily make the cabbage go bad, its taste will get much sharper in a matter of days.

(Which essentially makes the fermented cabbage useless or bad really soon.)

Pasteurized sauerkraut isn’t fermenting, so there’s no need for refrigeration. Instead, you can treat it the same way you treat all other canned vegetables. That means you transfer it to the fridge only after you open the jar or can.

Having that out of the way, let’s talk about a crucial storage practice – keeping the cabbage under the brine.

Sauekraut salad closeup
Sauekraut salad closeup

Keep Cabbage Submerged in Brine

Once you open your sauerkraut, make sure everything is nice and submerged in brine before you return the leftovers to the fridge. And each time you scoop some, remember to push down the rest of the cabbage so that it stays covered.

Otherwise, the cabbage that’s in the air will start to dry out, and within a couple of days, there will be white specs (and eventually white film) or mold on the surface. I already talked about it in the section on spoilage.

(The same is true for pickled onions.)

Now, what if there’s too little brine in the container to nicely cover all the cabbage?

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to that issue – you can make extra brine. Let’s talk about how.

Sauerkraut closeup
Sauerkraut closeup

Making Extra Brine

Making your own brine is easy. All you need is water and salt.

We’re going to make a 2% (approximately) brine, which is pretty standard for making sauerkraut. If you like yours on the saltier side, you can add more salt.

To make the brine, dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water. If you need more brine, double or triple the ingredients.

Once you have the solution ready, pour into the sauerkraut container as much as you need to cover the cabbage. That’s it.

Here’s what that looks like:

Once your cabbage is nice and covered, you can return it to the fridge, where it stays safe for weeks.

Sauerkraut Shelf Life and Spoilage Summary

Thank you for reading this guide on sauerkraut. Let’s briefly recap what we’ve covered above:

  • Does sauerkraut go bad? Yes, but how quickly that happens depends on the type. Pasteurized kraut goes bad fairly soon after opening, while unpasteurized sauerkraut keeps for months after opening if stored properly.
  • How to tell if sauerkraut is bad? Sauerkraut is spoiled when it smells funny, grows white film or mold on the surface, or becomes too sour for your taste buds. Also, toss pasteurized kraut it you’ve opened it more than two weeks.
  • How long does sauerkraut last? Unpasteurized kraut lasts a few months beyond its date and retains quality for about 1 to 2 months after opening- all while sitting in the fridge. Pasteurized kraut keeps unrefrigerated for months beyond its date but lasts only 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator after opening.

Rotten Records: Share Your Snap!

Caught some food past its prime? Upload your photo to “Rotten Records” and help others spot the signs of spoilage. Every image makes our food community safer and more informed!

Similar Posts