This is hands down the BEST Pork and Sauerkraut recipe ever! Succulent, tender pork is flavored with sauerkraut that has been sweetened with apples. This Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut is incredibly easy to make and delicious to eat.
This pork and sauerkraut is delicious served over mashed potatoes with a side of homemade applesauce.
If there was one meal I hated when I was growing up, it was Pork and Sauerkraut.
New Years Day always meant Pork and Sauerkraut at my house as a child. My parents always made me take one bite of the sauerkraut for good luck. I felt like the bite of sauerkraut was ANYTHING but lucky in my book--I truly hated it!
I loved the pork and the mashed potatoes that were served alongside the pork and sauerkraut but forget about the sauerkraut.
Don't tell the 10-year-old stubborn child I was, but it was in fact the sauerkraut that gave the pork all its delicious flavor. As the pork loin cooks in the sauerkraut, the sauerkraut helps to break down the pork into a juicy, succulent cut of meat.
And now that my taste buds have expanded a bit, I have to say, I enjoy the sauerkraut as well.
Secrets for the Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
There are two things that make this Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe the BEST!
- Time: Pork loin is best when it is braised over a long period of time with the sauerkraut, as the tenders in the meat are broken down and the pork loin becomes tender and juicy. I love to use my slow cooker when making pork and sauerkraut to set it and forget it for a hands-off meal.
- Sweetness: I also am a firm believer that the flavors in sauerkraut need to be balanced out with a bit of sweetness to round out the flavors. My mom always used a bit of brown sugar in her pork and sauerkraut recipe, but I am a firm believer in apple juice is KEY! The apple juice keeps the pork moist and flavors the sauerkraut with just the right amount of natural sweetness.
How to Make Crock Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
Step One: Season Pork Loin
- To ensure a really good flavor, liberally season the pork loin with salt and pepper on all sides.
Step Two: Sear Pork Loin
- Heat a large skillet or dutch oven over high heat. I like to use a dutch oven to keep oil from splattering on my stove.
- Sear pork loin for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned and easy to flip.
- Place seared pork loin in the slow cooker.
Step Three: Slow Cook
- Add apple juice to the slow cooker.
- Add in apples, onions, and garlic around the pork loin.
- Top with sauerkraut.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Recipe Notes
- Be sure to drain the sauerkraut from the juices it is packaged in to control the sodium and tang in this recipe. Canned or bagged sauerkraut both work for this recipe.
- If you don't have apple juice, use chicken stock in its place, but add in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to help balance the flavors in this pork and sauerkraut. But I am telling you, the apple juice makes this dish incredible.
- 16 ounces of sauerkraut is enough for a 2-4 pound pork loin. For any larger pork loin, you will want to double the amount of sauerkraut.
- Leftover pork and sauerkraut can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Pork and sauerkraut is gluten-free, paleo, and dairy-free, making it a great meal to serve to those with dietary restrictions.
- If you need a faster version of this classic recipe, try out Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut.
More Slow Cooker Pork Loin Recipes
If you tried this recipe, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. I hope this recipe made you a believer in Pork and Sauerkaut.
Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut
Ingredients
- 3 pound pork loin trimmed of excess fat
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 16 ounces sauerkraut drained
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 apple sliced
- 1 cup apple juice
Instructions
- Liberally season the pork loin with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat oil in large skillet or dutch oven. Sear pork loin on all sides, 2-3 minutes per side.
- Add seared pork into a slow cooker. Pour in apple juice. Place onions, apples, and garlic around the pork loin. Top with sauerkraut.
- Place lid on the slow cooker and cook for 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low.
- Remove pork and slice or shred and serve with cooking liquids.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- Be sure to drain the sauerkraut from the juices it is canned in and
- If you don't have apple juice, use chicken stock in it's place, but add in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to help balance the flavors in this pork and sauerkraut. But I am telling you, the apple juice makes this dish incredible.
- 16 ounces of sauerkraut is enough for a 2-4 pound pork loin. Any larger pork loin, you will want to double the amount of sauerkraut.
Brandon Peters
Kristen,
This was fantastic. My mom loved this recipe and so when I came across yours I knew what was for dinner. She died two years ago. The New Years Eve before she wanted to try throwing a Rosemary sprig on top. Ever since, I’ve done that and it adds a unique flavor. Thank you!
Brandon
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Brandon! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe and thank you for sharing that precious memory of your mom. I love how food can still connect us to those we have lost. I
Mary M
Can I use apple cider instead of apple juice?
Kristen Chidsey
As long as you use drinking apple cider NOT apple cider vinegar, it will be perfect. People often get those two things confused. Enjoy!
Eva
Hi! I got everything to make this for dinner tomorrow and realized I got a pork tenderloin rather than pork loin. Can you recommend a cooking time for tenderloin?
Thanks in advance!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Eva! I would suggest cutting down the cooking time to 4 hours on low (5-6 hours if you want the meat to be well-done) and 2-3 hours on high. Enjoy!
Eva
Thank you so much, Kristen!
Susie
My adult daughter said this was the best one I ever made! I usually make it with caraway seeds so I guess we will just leave those out from now on.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing this is now a favorite! Thanks for sharing!
Casey VanFleet
This was delish. Saving to use for years to come. Thank you so much & happy new year!
Kristen Chidsey
Happy to hear you enjoyed, Casey! Happy New Year to you as well!
Kit
I was excited to make this for New Year's day, but the cooking time is way too long. The pork was dried out. I'd recommend cutting this time in half.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kit! I am sorry you found the pork to be dried out. Did you happen to use pork tenderloin instead of pork loin? Pork Tenderloin cooks up much faster than pork loin.
Kathi B.
I made this New Years Day. I grew up in PA.and sauerkraut was our tradition. I love sauerkraut, however I’m always looking for ways to enhance the flavor. This is the ticket. So easy and so delicious. The Apple juice is a game changer. Plus I never knew to drain the sauerkraut. The pork was fall apart tender. Mine was done in 6 hours, first hour on high then 5 hrs on low ( I didn’t have 8 hours). This will be my go to recipe going forward. Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you for sharing, Kathi! Happy New Year!