Costco Sauerkraut: Wildbrine Raw Organic Review (Item 1098785)

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By CostcoFan | Updated June 2026

Item #1098785 | Wildbrine Raw Organic Sauerkraut | 50 oz (1.5 L) tub | $9.59 | Organic cabbage, sea salt, garlic — that’s it

I start almost every morning with a forkful of this stuff, so let me just say it up front: the Wildbrine Raw Organic Sauerkraut at Costco is one of the best-value items in the entire warehouse, and it’s earned a permanent spot in my fridge. I buy a tub roughly every month and go through the whole 50 oz myself in under two months. My wife won’t touch it and my 7-year-old isn’t there yet — so yeah, I’m eating a lot of sauerkraut.

If you’ve walked past the big tub in the refrigerated section and wondered whether it’s worth it, here’s the honest rundown from someone who actually eats it every single day: what’s in it, what it costs, how I eat it, whether it’s really “raw,” and how long it lasts.

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What You’re Getting

The Costco tub is Wildbrine Raw Organic Sauerkraut in a 50 oz (1.5 L) container, item #1098785. The ingredient list is refreshingly short:

  • Organic cabbage
  • Sea salt
  • Garlic

That’s the whole thing. Three ingredients, all recognizable, nothing engineered. It’s:

  • Raw and unpasteurized — which means the live cultures survive (more on why that matters below)
  • USDA Organic
  • Naturally fermented in a salt brine (not vinegar-pickled)
  • Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO
  • Kosher

This is genuinely clean food — the kind of ingredient list you rarely get to write about. There’s no added sugar, no preservatives, no vinegar shortcut. Just fermented cabbage the way it’s supposed to be made.

How I Actually Eat It

Here’s the part a spec sheet can’t tell you — how this actually fits into real life, because I’ve built a daily habit around it.

I start my mornings with it. A small serving first thing, alongside a cup of Kirkland Signature Japanese Green Tea. I’ll be honest: first thing in the morning, sauerkraut was a little harsh on me when I started — it’s tangy and assertive at 7 a.m. But I stuck with it, my palate adjusted, and now I genuinely look forward to it. It wakes your mouth up. The green tea and kraut combo has become my little morning ritual.

Sandwiches and wraps are my main use. A pile of this on a sandwich adds tang, crunch, and brightness that a pickle wishes it could deliver. Squeeze out the excess brine first so your bread doesn’t get soggy, and you’re set.

My favorite move, and stay with me here: on a sardine sandwich. I get the sardines at Costco too, and the sauerkraut on top is amazing — it cuts the richness of the fish and adds the perfect amount of bite. It sounds weird. It’s incredible. Try it once.

It gets more tart the longer you have it — and I love that. As it keeps slowly fermenting in the fridge, the flavor deepens and sharpens over the weeks. Some people might find that too much; for me it’s the best part. The last few forkfuls of a tub are the tangiest, and I’m here for it.

What Does It Taste Like?

If you’re picturing eye-watering, punch-you-in-the-face sour kraut — this isn’t that. Wildbrine Raw is a mellow, clean, well-balanced sauerkraut. It’s tangy and lively without being aggressive, with a satisfying crunch that holds up (it softens a bit as it ages, but it never goes mushy).

The garlic is the interesting part. It’s listed as a main ingredient, but to me it sits quietly in the background — a subtle savory note rather than a garlic punch. I’ll be honest about why that might be: I love garlic and cook with a heavy hand — dressings, marinades, roasted vegetables, all of it — so my baseline for “garlicky” is probably higher than most. If you’re garlic-sensitive you may notice it more than I do, but in my experience it’s a gentle hum, not a headliner. It rounds the kraut out rather than taking it over.

How Much Does Costco Sauerkraut Cost?

At $9.59 for the 50 oz tub, this is one of those Costco prices that makes you double-check the shelf tag. That works out to about $0.19 per ounce for raw, organic, unpasteurized sauerkraut.

For context on why that’s absurd: a small 16–25 oz jar of comparable raw organic sauerkraut at Whole Foods, Sprouts, or a natural grocer typically runs $7–9 — meaning you often pay roughly the same price for a tiny jar as Costco charges for this giant tub. On a per-ounce basis, the Costco tub is a fraction of specialty-store pricing. Raw, live-culture sauerkraut is normally a premium product, and Costco sells it at everyday-staple pricing.

If you eat this regularly, the value is genuinely hard to beat anywhere.

Is It Really “Raw”? (And Why That Matters)

Yes — and it’s not just marketing. “Raw” sauerkraut means the cabbage was fermented in a salt brine and never pasteurized (heat-treated) afterward. That distinction is the whole point:

  • Raw/unpasteurized (like this one) keeps the live cultures and probiotics from the fermentation intact.
  • Shelf-stable jarred sauerkraut (the kind that sits unrefrigerated on a regular grocery aisle) is usually pasteurized or vinegar-brined and cooked — which kills the live cultures.

That’s why this lives in the refrigerated section and not on a shelf. If live cultures are what you’re after, refrigerated + raw + unpasteurized is exactly what you want, and this checks all three boxes.

Sauerkraut and Gut Health: My Honest Experience

Quick, grounded take here — no miracle claims. Raw, unpasteurized fermented foods like this contain live cultures (probiotics), and fermented vegetables are widely recognized as a simple way to add those to your diet. That part is just food science.

What I can tell you from my own experience: when I keep this in my daily rotation, my digestion is noticeably better. When I fall off it for a while, I feel the difference. I’m not going to promise it’ll do the same for you — bodies are different — but a few forkfuls a day has become a genuinely easy, enjoyable habit that I feel good about. It’s real food doing what fermented food has done for centuries.

(If you have specific health conditions or dietary restrictions — sodium, for instance — check with your doctor. Sauerkraut is naturally high in sodium.)

How Long Does It Last?

One of the underrated perks: because it’s alive and fermenting, this stuff keeps for a long time. Wildbrine lists it as good for several months refrigerated (roughly 4–6 months, and it stays safe well past that as long as it looks and smells right). Since it’s a living ferment, it doesn’t “expire” so much as slowly get more sour over time.

A few practical notes from experience:

  • Keep the cabbage submerged in the brine — that’s what protects it and keeps it good longer.
  • Don’t double-dip. Use a clean fork every time. Introducing crumbs or other-food bacteria into a live ferment is the one way to actually spoil it.
  • It only goes bad if it molds or develops an off smell/color — which, kept clean and submerged, it rarely does.
  • You can freeze it in portions if you’re a single eater and worried about finishing a tub. It keeps the flavor; texture softens slightly. (I don’t bother — I go through mine in under two months without trying.)

Honestly, the “will I finish it in time” worry is overblown. It lasts far longer than most perishables, and if you like it, it won’t last long anyway.

Is Sauerkraut Available at Costco? (Availability)

In my Bay Area warehouses, the Wildbrine Raw Organic Sauerkraut is regularly stocked — it’s a reliable item I can count on finding most months. That said, availability does vary by region and season across the country: some warehouses carry it consistently, while shoppers in other areas report it coming and going, sometimes showing up more in spring and summer.

The fastest way to check yours: look up Item #1098785 in the Costco app (Warehouse tab) before you make a trip. If your local warehouse doesn’t stock it, Wildbrine is also available at many natural grocers and on Amazon (at the smaller-jar premium pricing).

The Honest Cons

I love this stuff, but a fair review names the downsides:

  • It’s an acquired taste. Fermented, funky, tangy — sauerkraut isn’t for everyone. My own wife won’t eat it. If you already dislike sauerkraut, this won’t convert you (though it’s mellow enough that it converted a few skeptics I know).
  • It’s high in sodium. It’s fermented in salt brine — that’s how it’s made. Worth knowing if you watch your sodium.
  • It takes up real fridge space. The 50 oz tub is big. Make room.
  • The lid can be tough to open the first time — the wide mouth is hard to grip. A rubber jar-opener or a towel does the trick.
  • It gets more sour as it ages. I consider this a feature, but if you like your kraut mild, eat it in the first few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Costco sell sauerkraut?

Yes. Costco carries Wildbrine Raw Organic Sauerkraut in a 50 oz tub (Item #1098785) in the refrigerated section, typically around $9.59. Availability varies by region and season, so check the item number in the Costco app for your local warehouse.

Is Costco’s Wildbrine sauerkraut raw and unpasteurized?

Yes. It’s raw, naturally fermented in a salt brine, and never pasteurized — which is why it’s refrigerated and retains its live cultures. It’s also USDA Organic, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

How much is sauerkraut at Costco?

About $9.59 for the 50 oz tub (roughly $0.19/oz) — a fraction of the per-ounce price of the small jars at natural grocery stores.

What’s in Costco Wildbrine sauerkraut?

Just three ingredients: organic cabbage, sea salt, and garlic. No vinegar, no sugar, no preservatives.

How long does Costco sauerkraut last?

Several months refrigerated (roughly 4–6 months, often longer). Because it’s a live ferment, it slowly gets more tart over time rather than spoiling quickly. Keep it submerged in its brine and use a clean utensil each time. You can also freeze it in portions.

Does it taste very sour or garlicky?

It’s a mellow, balanced sauerkraut — tangy but not aggressively sour, and it gets more tart the longer you keep it. The garlic sits in the background as a subtle savory note rather than a strong garlic punch.

Is sauerkraut good for gut health?

Raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut contains live cultures (probiotics), and fermented vegetables are a well-established way to add those to your diet. Individual results vary, and it’s naturally high in sodium, so factor that in.

What do you eat sauerkraut with?

It’s great on sandwiches and wraps, with sausages and hot dogs, on baked potatoes, in soups and salads, or as a simple side. My personal favorite is on a sardine sandwich — it cuts the richness perfectly.

Where to Buy

The best price by far is in-store at Costco (Item #1098785, ~$9.59 for 50 oz). If your warehouse doesn’t carry it, Wildbrine is available on Amazon and at natural grocers, though at the smaller-jar premium:

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4 thoughts on “Costco Sauerkraut: Wildbrine Raw Organic Review (Item 1098785)”

    • Good eye — yep, the Wildbrine sauerkraut tub is BPA-free plastic. If you’d rather store it in glass, it’s easy to transfer the raw organic sauerkraut into a mason jar once you get it home — just keep it submerged in the brine so it stays fresh. Either way, at $9.59 for 50 oz it’s a hard deal to beat.

      Reply

    • Plastic tub, but labeled BPA-free! Easy to move the Wildbrine sauerkraut into a glass jar at home if you’d rather — just keep it under the brine.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

4 thoughts on “Costco Sauerkraut: Wildbrine Raw Organic Review (Item 1098785)”

    • Good eye — yep, the Wildbrine sauerkraut tub is BPA-free plastic. If you’d rather store it in glass, it’s easy to transfer the raw organic sauerkraut into a mason jar once you get it home — just keep it submerged in the brine so it stays fresh. Either way, at $9.59 for 50 oz it’s a hard deal to beat.

      Reply

    • Plastic tub, but labeled BPA-free! Easy to move the Wildbrine sauerkraut into a glass jar at home if you’d rather — just keep it under the brine.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

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