Recipes→Austria→Krautspatzl

Krautspatzl

A comforting and rustic dish combining homemade SpƤtzle with sautƩed sauerkraut and often bacon or speck, offering a delightful balance of tangy and savory flavors.

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyMedium
Krautspatzl - Austria traditional dish

šŸ§‚ Ingredients

  • 300 g All-purpose flour
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 100 ml Milk
  • 50 ml Water
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg(freshly grated)
  • 500 g Sauerkraut(drained)
  • 150 g Bacon or Speck(diced)
  • 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ³ Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the SpƤtzle dough: In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and water. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a smooth, slightly elastic dough forms. It should be thick but pourable. Let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes.

  2. 2

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Use a SpƤtzle maker, a colander with large holes, or a cutting board to press or scrape small pieces of dough into the boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they float to the surface. Drain and set aside.

  3. 3

    While the SpƤtzle cooks, cook the bacon or speck in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.

  4. 4

    Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sautƩ in the bacon fat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the drained sauerkraut and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it softens and some of the liquid evaporates.

  5. 5

    Add the cooked SpƤtzle and the reserved crispy bacon to the skillet with the sauerkraut and onions. Add the butter and toss everything together to combine. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring, until the SpƤtzle is heated through and lightly browned in places.

  6. 6

    Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot, optionally with a side of sour cream or a dollop of crème fraîche.

šŸ’” Pro Tips

  • āœ“The SpƤtzle dough consistency is key; it should be thick enough to hold its shape but loose enough to pass through a SpƤtzle maker.
  • āœ“Don't overcrowd the pot when cooking SpƤtzle; cook in batches if necessary.
  • āœ“Squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the sauerkraut before adding it to the pan.
  • āœ“For a richer flavor, use smoked bacon or speck.

šŸ”„ Variations

  • Add sautĆ©ed mushrooms along with the onions and sauerkraut.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and sautĆ© the onions in butter or oil.
  • A pinch of caraway seeds can be added to the sauerkraut mixture.

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