You can make many different dishes with sauerkraut. It works especially well in recipes like German Ham Rolls with Sauerkraut Filling. These ham rolls are a tasty appetizer or finger food for a dinner party, a cozy TV night, or any casual gathering.
They’re perfect for a private Oktoberfest celebration or as part of a cold buffet. Bavarian-style sauerkraut can often be found at supermarkets or specialty stores, and good-quality German-style ham is available from reputable deli counters or natural-food retailers.
Tip: Sauerkraut is milder if you rinse it briefly with slightly warm, purified water before using. Place it in a sieve, rinse, and let it drain. Using traditional German sauerkraut without preservatives yields the best flavor. Happy cooking!
Ingredients — German Ham Rolls
(makes about 4 rolls)
2 small red onions
3 tbsp chopped parsley
1 can sauerkraut (about 580 ml)
175 g cream cheese
4 slices cooked ham
4 tbsp horseradish (jar or tube)
Baguette or German-style bread, for serving
Cooking Instructions
– Finely chop the red onions.
– Wash the parsley, remove the stems, pat dry, and finely chop.
– Drain the sauerkraut well and chop it into smaller pieces if needed.
– Combine the sauerkraut with the chopped onions, cream cheese, and parsley until evenly mixed.
– Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
– Spread a thin layer of horseradish on one side of each slice of cooked ham, then spoon a portion of the sauerkraut-cream mixture onto the horseradish.
– Roll up each ham slice tightly. Using a sharp knife, cut the rolls on the diagonal into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a serving plate.
– Serve with slices of baguette or German-style bread.
These ham rolls are easy to prepare ahead of time—assemble and chill, then slice and serve when your guests arrive. The combination of tangy sauerkraut, creamy cheese, and a hint of horseradish gives each bite a balanced, savory flavor that pairs well with crusty bread. For variety, try adding a few capers or thinly sliced pickles to the filling, or substitute smoked ham for a deeper, slightly smoky note.