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Sauerkraut Balls

User Rating 4 Star Rating (4 Reviews) Write a review

By , About.com Guide

Sauerkraut Balls

Sauerkraut Balls

(© Lance Fisher/cc license)
Sauerkraut balls are a traditional Northeast Ohio favorite. They combine the cabbage so abundant in the fall with the region's German heritage. The combination is delicious.

This recipe is my variation on the one made famous by the now-closed McGarvey's Restaurant in Vermilion. I make no claim to its being authentic.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. bulk sausage
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped sweet onion
  • 1 cup (4 oz.) sauerkraut, drained
  • 4 oz. cream cheese
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 1 Tbsp. flour
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 egg, slightly beaten
  • 2 cups dry, unseasoned bread crumbs
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Preparation:

Make the Balls
Cook the sausage and onions in a medium skillet over a medium-high heat until the sausage is just done, breaking the sausage up with a fork as it cooks. Remove from heat. Add the sauerkraut, cream cheese, egg, flour, and mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.

Roll into 1" balls. Place in the freezer on a plate or cookie sheet topped with wax paper until partially frozen.

Bread the Balls
In a medium bowl, comine the milk and the eggs. Dip each ball into the mixture and roll in the bread crumbs.

Fry the Balls
Fry the ball in hot vegetable oil about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Makes 8-10 appetizer servings.

User Reviews

 4 out of 5
, Member rasguru

Years ago I ate often at McGarvey's. Their sauerkraut was on the stove all-day, every day. It was slow-cooked with stock, onions, and ground caraway. When they just served sauerkraut as part of a meal, it had developed a medium brown color. If you attempt to replicate that, you can improve the rating from 4 - 5 stars. It adds a lot to the flavor and character of the finished product. Just put drained sauerkraut in a pot along with a 1/4 cup of onion and about a cup of beef stock. Allow to slow cook for 2 -3 hours ... adding stock or water as needed. Drain before using in this recipe.

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