How Long Does Sauerkraut Last?
Refrigerated raw sauerkraut lasts 4–6 months in the fridge after opening if kept under its brine. Canned or shelf-stable sauerkraut keeps 12–18 months unopened in the pantry, and 5–7 days in the fridge once opened.
Sauerkraut — opened, refrigerated
shelf life- Unopened: 12–18 months in the fridge
- Opened: 5–7 days in the fridge
- Cooked: 3–4 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Sauerkraut is shredded cabbage fermented with salt until lactic acid bacteria make it sour. It comes in two very different forms: raw, unpasteurized kraut sold refrigerated in bags and jars, which is still alive and protected by its acidity, and pasteurized canned or jarred kraut, which is shelf-stable until opened but has no live cultures to defend it afterward.
How to store sauerkraut
- Keep the cabbage pushed down below the brine with a clean fork after every use. If the brine runs low, top it up with a little water mixed with salt, about 1 teaspoon per cup.
- Move leftover canned sauerkraut out of the can into a glass jar or plastic container with a lid. The acid reacts with the exposed metal of an opened can and gives the kraut a tinny taste.
- Take what you need with a clean utensil and heat only that portion. Returning warmed or handled kraut to the jar introduces bacteria and yeasts.
- Buy raw kraut from the refrigerated section if you want live cultures, and keep it cold. Left in the pantry, it keeps fermenting, turns soft and may push its lid up.
How to tell if sauerkraut has gone bad
- Fuzzy mold on the surface or the jar rim, in any color. Kraut that has been sitting above the brine line is the usual starting point.
- A rotten, musty or yeasty-alcohol smell instead of a clean, sharp sourness.
- A slimy, ropey brine or cabbage that has gone mushy and dark brown.
- Pink kraut, caused by yeasts that grow when the salt is uneven or too high; discard it.
- A can that is bulging, leaking, badly dented on a seam, or spurts liquid on opening should be thrown away without tasting.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Sauerkraut shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened, refrigerated | 4–6 months | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Raw, unpasteurized kraut from the refrigerated case, kept submerged in its brine. | |||
| Unopened | 12–18 months | Not recommended | 12–18 months |
| Canned or shelf-stable jarred kraut. Never freeze a sealed can or jar. | |||
| Opened | 5–7 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Canned or shelf-stable pasteurized kraut, moved to a covered non-metal container. | |||
| Cooked | 3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Kraut heated with sausages, pork or other ingredients. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long does sauerkraut last in the fridge once opened?
It depends on the type. Raw, refrigerated sauerkraut lasts 4–6 months after opening when it stays under its brine. Canned or shelf-stable pasteurized sauerkraut should be moved to a covered container and used within 5–7 days, the standard guideline for opened high-acid canned foods, though its acidity means quality often holds longer.
Does sauerkraut need to be refrigerated?
Raw sauerkraut from the refrigerated case must stay refrigerated at all times. Canned and shelf-stable jarred sauerkraut can be kept in a cool pantry for 12–18 months unopened. After opening, every kind of sauerkraut belongs in the fridge.
Why is my sauerkraut brown on top?
The top layer turns brown or gray when it sits above the brine and oxidizes in contact with air. If there is no mold, slime or off smell, remove and discard the darkened layer; the kraut beneath the brine is fine. Keeping the cabbage submerged prevents it.
Can you freeze sauerkraut?
It is possible but not recommended for raw kraut, because freezing softens the texture and kills much of the live culture, and refrigerated kraut already keeps for months. Cooked sauerkraut dishes freeze acceptably for 2–3 months. Always transfer kraut out of a can or glass jar into a freezer container first.
Is sauerkraut safe to eat after the best-by date?
Usually, yes, if the container is intact. Unopened canned kraut is safe well past its best-by date as long as the can is not bulging, rusted or leaking, though it softens and darkens. Refrigerated raw kraut past its date is typically just more sour. In both cases discard it if you see mold or slime.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimchi Opened |
3–6 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Cabbage Whole |
1–2 weeks | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Pickles Opened |
1–3 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Bratwurst Raw |
1–2 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Hot Dogs Opened |
1 week | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Corned Beef Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.