---

SMART SHOPPING: Sauerkraut

---

To find the best sauerkraut available at the supermarket, we tasted eight national contenders–in jars, cans, and vacuum-sealed bags–both plain and on a Reuben sandwich. Right off the bat, tasters panned the heavily processed, long-cooked canned brands as “flavorless” and “flat.” Jarred and bagged brands are cooked less, and these generally had more crunch and flavor. Our winning sauerkraut, Boar’s Head Sauerkraut, is a bagged variety that was praised for its “chewy-crisp” texture and “fresh, vinegary kick.” Great Lakes Kraut Co. Krrrrisp Kraut was our runner-up.