Stamppot Zuurkool (Dutch Sauerkraut and Potato Mash)

In Dutch home cooking, stamppot is a hearty mash made by folding vegetables through potatoes rather than serving them separately. This zuurkool version pairs fluffy, rustic potatoes with drained sauerkraut, giving the dish its recognisable tang and savoury depth. Milk and butter soften the acidity without making the mash overly smooth, while fully cooked smoked sausage brings warmth, saltiness and a firm bite. Served piping hot with Dijon mustard on the side, it is a practical cold-weather dinner: simple, filling and easy to adjust with a little extra milk for a looser texture.
Cuisine style Dutch comfort food
Cooking style Meal prep friendly • Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Tangy balance: Sauerkraut cuts through the richness of the butter, milk and potatoes, keeping the mash savoury rather than heavy.
  • Hearty and warming: Creamy mashed potato and smoked sausage make the dish substantial enough for a simple cold-weather dinner.
  • Straightforward method: The potatoes are boiled, dried briefly, then mashed with warmed sauerkraut, so the texture is easy to control.

Get the most out of this recipe

Texture tips

  • For a sturdier mash: Let the drained potatoes steam in the hot pot briefly before mashing; this removes excess moisture and helps the stamppot hold together.
  • For a looser texture: Add a little more warm milk while mashing, stopping while the potatoes still look rustic rather than smooth.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose the right potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes give a naturally creamy mash while still keeping enough body for a traditional rustic texture.
  • Control the sauerkraut tang: Draining the sauerkraut well keeps the mash from becoming watery while preserving its sharp, bright flavour.
  • Warm the sausage gently: Fully cooked smoked sausage only needs heating through in barely simmering water; boiling can make it split.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make the mash ahead: The stamppot can be cooked in advance, cooled quickly and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat gently: Warm the mash over a low heat with a splash of milk, stirring until piping hot, and heat the sausage separately.
  • Freezer-friendly: Freeze the mash for up to 2 months, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Authenticity notes

  • Dutch home-style cooking: Stamppot is typically kept rustic rather than whipped smooth, with vegetables mixed directly through the potatoes.
  • Classic pairing: Smoked sausage and mustard are a familiar match for the tangy potato-and-sauerkraut mash.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Peel the potatoes and cut into even chunks. Put them in a large pot, cover with cold water, then add 1 1/2 tsp of the fine sea salt and the bay leaves. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until the potatoes are very tender.
  2. While the potatoes cook, warm the smoked sausage gently in a saucepan of barely simmering water until hot all the way through. Keep the water below a boil so the sausage does not split. Lift out and keep warm.
  3. Drain the potatoes well in a colander and discard the bay leaves. Return the potatoes to the hot pot and set over a low heat for 30 to 60 seconds, shaking the pot, to steam off excess moisture. Take off the heat.
  4. Warm the sauerkraut with the whole milk and unsalted butter in the pot over a low heat until the butter melts and everything is just hot. Add the potatoes back in and mash to a rustic texture. Season with the remaining fine sea salt and the black pepper.
  5. Slice the smoked sausage and serve alongside the stamppot. Spoon over the Dijon mustard, or serve it at the table for dipping. Eat straight away while the mash is piping hot.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For brighter flavour, drain the sauerkraut well and warm it gently with the milk and butter rather than boiling it hard.
  • If you prefer a looser mash, add a splash more whole milk while mashing, keeping the texture rustic rather than smooth.
  • This method assumes fully cooked smoked sausage that only needs gentle heating; if yours is raw, simmer it until cooked through before slicing.

Substitutions

  • Replace Dijon mustard with whole-grain mustard for a milder heat and a coarser texture.
  • Replace whole milk with cooking cream for a richer mash.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat the mash in a saucepan over a low heat with a splash of whole milk, stirring until piping hot; warm the smoked sausage separately in barely simmering water. Freeze the mash (and sausage if you like) for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 50min (20min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Dutch
  • Allergens:
    Milk Mustard
Beginner friendly Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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