Is sauerkraut good for dogs?
Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
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An easy meal on a budget, Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut pair well in a casserole or with the sauerkraut topping the hot dog in a bun.
This recipe is easy to make in a skillet, crock pot, instant pot or air fryer.
Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut Recipe
Warm sauerkraut that’s lightly seasoned with brown sugar, salt and pepper adds so much flavor to hot dogs. Simply serve sauerkraut on top of mustard, ketchup, relish or any other toppings of choice.
Freshly warmed or leftover weiner dogs can be chopped up and mixed into a warm bed of sauerkraut for quick dinner. This recipe is very similar to our Kielbasa and Sauerkraut.
Sauerkraut can be warmed quickly in an instant pot in just a few minutes. A skillet and air fryer take about ten minutes. In the oven on a sheet pan takes about 20 minutes and a crock pot takes 2 – 3 hours on low or 60 – 90 minutes on high.
If you prefer a cold topping or side dish of sauerkraut try our Sauerkraut Salad.
Easy peasy is a great way to describe this meal. Hot dogs taste good because the combination of meats is flavorful and savory enough to offset the bitterness in the sauerkraut.
How to Season the Sauerkraut
About a tablespoon of brown sugar, teaspoon of salt, half teaspoon of pepper and a shake or two of red pepper flakes season sauerkraut very well.
The red pepper flakes are optional and will add a little kick.
How to Make Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
Drain sauerkraut before using. Rinsing is optional. If rinsing is preferable then be sure to drain well to avoid excess moisture.
Warm oil and add sauerkraut on one side of the skillet and brown hot dogs on the other side.
Sprinkle brown sugar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes if desired over sauerkraut.
Cover skillet and cook on medium high heat for 5 minutes.
Uncover and stir seasonings into sauerkraut using tongs. Rotate wieners and cover. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
The meal is ready to serve when everything is warmed through and the sauerkraut is lightly browned.
Crock Pot Version
Line or lightly grease crock and add a layer of sauerkraut with a small amount of juice or beer on the bottom. Most of the juice should be drained.
Sprinkle seasoning over sauerkraut and stir together.
Lay hot dogs over top of the sauerkraut and cook on low 2 – 3 hours or on high for 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
Instant Pot Version
Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of oil to the instant pot along with a layer of sauerkraut and about 1/2 cup of juice OR beer. Arrange wieners on top.
Small cubes of potatoes may be added if desired.
Seal pot and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Perform a quick release and serve warm.
Does Sauerkraut Go with Hot Dogs?
A few tablespoons of sauerkraut may be served on top of all the traditional hot dog toppings. Sauerkraut and mustard go together especially well.
Hot dogs may also be cut into pieces and stirred into sauerkraut for an easy casserole. Potatoes may be mixed in or served on the side.
It doesn’t matter whether you use pork, turkey or beef hotdogs they all pair well with sauerkraut.
How Much Sauerkraut for Hot Dogs
A typical bun length hot dog tastes great with 2 to 3 tablespoons of warm sauerkraut to accent all of the flavors.
One 2 tablespoon serving of sauerkraut is about one ounce.
A 14 ounce can of sauerkraut has about 14 servings to put on top of a hot dog.
When serving meat and sauerkraut ensure there is at least 2 to 3 times as much meat as sauerkraut.
More Easy Family Meals:
Easy Taco Crescents are the perfect appetizer, snack, party food or easy meal!
Hamburger & Tater Tot Casserole uses ground beef, frozen vegetables and tater tots to make an easy meal.
Crock Pot Ham, Potato & Mushroom Soup is a simple recipe that is hearty and delicious
Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
An easy meal on a budget, Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut pair well in a casserole or with the sauerkraut topping the hot dog in a bun.
Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut
Is Sauerkraut Good or Bad for Dogs & Puppies to Have?
Dogs eat a lot of what we eat. From cook meals to fruits and vegetables, they aren’t as selective as other pets. However, dogs don’t eat all we eat. They also don’t eat all what other pets do. Therefore, there’s always some level of uncertainty when it comes to what kind of food dogs would eat and whether it’s safe for them. One of such food is Sauerkraut.
So, can dogs eat Sauerkraut? Is it safe for dogs? How much of it should you feed your dog? For your reading pleasure, we’ll answer these questions and many more in this article.
What Are Sauerkrauts?
If you’re not familiar with Sauerkrauts, they are basically canned cabbage. The canned cabbage is usually shredded and fermented with beneficial bacteria. In other words, Sauerkrauts are fermented cabbage. While cabbage is on itself a very healthy vegetable, the fermentation process adds even much more nutritional benefits to the cabbage. It is rich in antioxidants and cancer-fighting probiotics. It is also rich in vitamins K and C, iron and fiber.
Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut?
Yes! Dogs can eat Sauerkrauts. A lot of dogs will gulp up any amount of Sauerkrauts you bring to their feet. However, is it safe to feed your dog with Sauerkrauts? As long as you are feeding your dog Sauerkrauts in moderated amounts, it is safe. It is not just safe but also tremendously beneficial. It helps your dogs flush pit heavy metals and toxins that have been lodged in their body for a long time. It dramatically enhances the gut health of your dog. Because of the fermentation process involved in making Sauerkrauts, they’re rich in probiotics. Probiotics are like the “good guys” bacteria that help fight off the “bad guys” bacteria in your body to ensure a healthy balance. The fermentation process also births vitamins B, K2 and C, which could help boost your dog’s metabolic activities. It doesn’t end there. Sauerkrauts also contains vitamin A which can help keep cataracts at bay in older dogs. The fiber contained in Sauerkrauts can also help in preventing bloating, flatulence and constipation. Other benefits include:
- Enhancement of Heart Health — the probiotics in Sauerkrauts can help lower the cholesterol levels in heavier and older dogs.
- Help Reduce Joint Pain — Sauerkrauts has a lot of phytonutrients that serve as anti-inflammatory antioxidants. This helps to reduce any form of inflammatory conditions in your dog’s joint that may be causing them pain.
How Can I Get My Dog to Eat Sauerkrauts?
Sauerkraut has a strong smell, strong enough to get them to turn away immediately they come close. While some dogs will dig in without issues, others will look the other way. If your dog is the latter, you can help by mixing the Sauerkraut with other food. This will help ease the smell while also getting them used to Sauerkrauts in the process. Some dogs will start eating Sauerkrauts alone after being fed it in a mixture with other food.
What Could Go Wrong?
Well, a few things could go wrong if you overfeed your dog with Sauerkrauts. Firstly, there’s the problem of too much sodium. While your dogs need sodium in their diet, feeding them with too much of it could become a problem. Because Sauerkrauts has a lot of sodium, overfeeding them with it would pose a sodium-related health risk to your dog. A 33-pound dog only requires around 200 milligrams of sodium each day, anything above that means going towards the sodium overload zone. As it stands, a one-cup serving of Sauerkrauts contains around 939 milligrams of sodium. That’s almost five times the amount of sodium intake recommended for a dog daily. A one-quarter cup serving of it would still contain around 235 milligrams of sodium. Considering that your dog will likely also get fed sodium from other food sources, it is imperative to feed your dog Sauerkrauts in significantly moderated amounts.
Some Pro Tips When Feeding Your Dog Sauerkrauts
An excellent way to reduce the salt content of a Sauerkraut is to drain it. Draining the fluid a bit makes Sauerkrauts safer for your dog. You’ll likely reduce the salt content of your Sauerkrauts by 50 percent by draining it. Additionally, you can also rinse with cold water after draining to reduce the salt content even more. Nonetheless, the amount of sodium in a Sauerkraut varies depending on the brand you choose. Going for low-sodium Sauerkraut is advisable if you want to ensure the sodium content is minimal. You’ll likely identify a low-sodium Sauerkrauts by checking the label on the product or by looking up the brand name online.
However, Sauerkraut is Sauerkraut. Whether low-sodium or not, Sauerkrauts is mostly cabbage and salt, so don’t expect a tremendous change in salt content by going for low-sodium. Even when you buy low-sodium Sauerkrauts, you should still feed it to your dog in moderated quantities.
Another pro tip is gradually introducing the food to your dog. Rather than just abruptly planning your dog’s meal plan with Sauerkrauts splattered all over, a prudent approach is essential. Some people just immediately start feeding their dogs with Sauerkrauts the moment the notice they can eat it. This is wrong. After discovering that your dog eats Sauerkrauts, the recommended course of action would be to introduce very tiny bits of it into your dog’s diet over several days. Skips days between feeding your dog with Sauerkrauts. Closely observe them while they’re on the Sauerkrauts diet. If you notice any irregularities, then you should immediately stop and contact a veterinarian. Do not assume that since your neighbor’s dog eats Sauerkrauts without problems that yours can do too. Even if they are of the same breed, each dog has its unique physiology. What’s suitable for dog A may not be that nice for dog B.
If you’re still skeptical about feeding your dog with Sauerkrauts, seek the help of a qualified veterinarian. Because each dog is unique, the counsel of a qualified veterinarian trumps all information shared herein.
