Warm Apple Sauerkraut Skillet (Printable)

Caramelized apples meet tangy sauerkraut in this warming skillet salad, featuring fresh greens and toasted nuts for a nourishing sweet-tangy blend.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - 2 large apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and sliced
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 cups sauerkraut, drained
04 - 2 cups baby spinach or arugula

→ Fats & Oils

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter

→ Seasonings

06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground caraway seeds, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

→ Garnishes

10 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
02 - Add sliced apples and red onion to the hot skillet. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are golden brown and onions are softened.
03 - Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the mixture. Sprinkle with caraway seeds if using, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat all ingredients and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Fold in drained sauerkraut and warm through for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring gently, until heated through without drying out.
05 - Remove from heat. Gently toss in baby spinach or arugula, folding until just wilted by residual heat.
06 - Transfer the warm salad to a serving platter. Top with toasted chopped nuts and fresh chopped parsley.
07 - Serve immediately while warm, or allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The marriage of sweet and tangy flavors creates that perfect balance that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • Its ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like something that took all afternoon to develop those complex flavors.
02 -
  • Draining the sauerkraut well prevents the salad from becoming watery, but dont rinse it or youll lose that signature tang.
  • Adding the greens off-heat preserves their vibrant color and prevents them from becoming soggy.
03 -
  • For a more pronounced sweet-tart contrast, use one tart apple like Granny Smith and one sweet apple like Honeycrisp.
  • If your sauerkraut is particularly strong, rinse it briefly before draining thoroughly to mellow the flavor while still keeping its character.
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