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Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

Let’s have a lucky year! Start it out with this Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut, a traditional dish that brings luck and joy to the year ahead.

Pork and Sauerkraut is a dish that is traditionally eaten at New Year’s in the Northeast of the United States. It is thought to bring luck for the year ahead. So let’s eat some pork and sauerkraut!

Making Pork And Sauerkraut

I usually cook my pork and sauerkraut in the oven like this. I’ve also tried it in the Instant Pot and that’s pretty great too.  But there’s nothing like having it cook slowly in the slow cooker all day, making the house smell so cozy and delicious. That’s a great start to the new year for sure.

I’ve used a pork loin for this recipe but you can use a pork butt or pork shoulder for a juicier roast.

Then, of course, there’s sauerkraut in there. Along with the sauerkraut, there are sliced apples for a hint of sweet, and caraway seeds because they go so well with the cabbage and apple flavors. There’s a sliced onion in there too. And butter! So many great flavors. Everything cooks in the slow cooker together until the pork is cooked through to 145°F, about 6 hours on low. 145°F is the minimum recommended for pork loin by the National Pork Board. Some people find that a bit rare for pork. If you like your pork more well done, go for 160°F.

Note that when it’s done, the sauerkraut might be watery. This is from the liquid that comes out of the pork while it cooks, and the liquid in the sauerkraut itself. Don’t worry! Take the pork loin out and let it rest. Then pour the sauerkraut mixture into a strainer set over a large bowl to let it drain. Then slice the pork and serve with that delicious sauerkraut mixture. Yum!

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Make more delicious dishes in the slow cooker with these recipes.

Podcast Episode: Slow Cooking Pork and Sauerkraut

Listen to learn how to make this recipe, along with some great tips from Christine:

Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.

Print

Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe

  • Author: Christine Pittman
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Entrée
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: German

DESCRIPTION

Let’s have a lucky year! Start it out with this Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut, a traditional dish that brings luck and joy to the year ahead.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 lb. pork loin
  • 3/4 tsp. garlic powder, divided
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 + 1/8 tsp. black pepper, divided
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 16 oz. sauerkraut, not drained or rinsed
  • 2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. caraway seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sprinkled pork all over with 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic powder, the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork loin, fat side down. Cook until browned, 4-5 minutes. Flip over and brown other side for 4-5 minutes. Transfer pork to a slow cooker (cut it in half if it doesn’t fit).
  3. In a large bowl combine the sauerkraut, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, apples, onion, butter, brown sugar, and caraway seeds (if using). Spread around and over pork loin in the slow cooker.
  4. Cook on low until an instant read thermometer in the middle of the roast reaches 145°F, about 6 hours.
  5. Transfer the roast to a cutting board to rest.
  6. Set a strainer over a large bowl. Scoop the sauerkraut into the strainer and drain off excess liquid.
  7. Slice the pork and serve it with the sauerkraut.