Exact Answer: Up to 6 months
The Sauerkraut can be preserved for around 6 months. Many people consider Sauerkraut as a dish that can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time. If the Sauerkraut is homemade, then it’s necessary to eat the Sauerkraut in 1 month after opening.
Sauerkraut is renowned for its probiotic benefits which can get reduced by lukewarm air. The lukewarm air will cause the Sauerkraut to dry out extremely fast. Everyone can store the Sauerkraut for around 4 to 6 months by refrigerating it in a container.
The shelf life of store-bought Sauerkraut would depend on the manufacturing brands.
How Long Does Sauerkraut Last?
| Shelf Life Of Sauerkraut | How Long Does Sauerkraut Last |
| Minimum shelf life | 4 months |
| Maximum shelf life | 6 months |
The shelf life of Sauerkraut depends on how someone stores it. The type of Sauerkraut would also make a huge impact. For example, the Sauerkraut in the fridge can last for around 6 months, while at room temperature it can be stored for less time.
Microbes can also grow in the Sauerkraut. Make sure to store the Sauerkraut in a dark cupboard where there won’t be any light or heat. As they can host many bacteria and microbes to grow there.
Once the jar of the store-bought Sauerkraut gets opened, then the person should finish it before the expiry date. The main issues with the Sauerkraut are that these can dry very quickly if not used in a short time.
It’s vital to seal the Sauerkraut if not stored in the fridge. The main reason for Sauerkraut getting spoiled is the growth of bacteria.
The only way to save the Sauerkraut in-room temperature is by avoiding moisture and heat contact with it. The Sauerkraut is sensitive to heat. Therefore, storing Sauerkraut in freeze would be a better idea.
The Sauerkraut is a fermented dish that would get bad faster at room temperature. The Sauerkraut would start smelling like a yeasty substance once it starts getting bad. The strong odor coming from the Sauerkraut is a sign of it getting spoiled.
The color of the Sauerkraut would start changing when the expiry date would come closer. Anybody can say the Sauerkraut is getting bad by observing its texture.
Why Does Sauerkraut Last This Long?
The Sauerkraut can last this long due to its fermentation process. The fermented dishes or foods, if stored in the fridge would last for months together. As the fermentation process would get reduced in cold temperatures.
Fermented cabbages, like Sauerkraut, would contain live bacteria or probiotics. These live bacteria can’t survive in the hot temperature and would start smelling bad in a few days.
Therefore to keep these fermented cabbages intact without any change in structure everyone should keep them in the fridge. Sauerkraut is known for its fiber and calories content. The food would be enough to boost the digestion of the person.
Fermented cabbages are blessed with some live bacteria that will increase the shelf life of the food. The store-bought Sauerkraut would not have enough nutrition, as it is processed for more shelf life.
Everyone looking for natural and nutritious Sauerkraut should try homemade ones. To keep the crunchy texture of the sauerkraut for a long time, the person should avoid humidity contact with it.
If the Sauerkraut is stored unopened in the fridge, then it will last for around 5 years.
The fermented vegetables such as Sauerkraut would not show any signs of food poisoning as they are fermented for a long time with proper technique.
Conclusion
The shelf life of Sauerkraut depends on how and where it is stored. The unopened Sauerkraut can last for years while the opened one can last for months. Sauerkraut is fermented vegetables that would stay fresh for 6 months if not interfered with by any other bacteria.
The Sauerkraut is one of the most nutritious foods that are best if stored in the fridge. The person should eat the exact portion of the fermented dish for getting good results. Restrict yourself to eating one portion of Sauerkraut with the diet.
Try to complete the opened jar of Sauerkraut in 5 to 6 months.
References
- https://journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1128/AEM.69.6.3192-3202.2003
- https://journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1128/AEM.01342-07
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