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    Crock Pot Pork and Sauerkraut

    Allergy Friendly Recipes Dairy-Free Recipes Easy Pork Recipes Gluten Free Low Carb Main Courses Real Food Slow Cooker Recipes May 8, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 215 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    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. It also happens to be a crock pot meal that is gluten free, paleo friendly, and dairy free.

    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.

    Shredded Pork and Sauerkraut on white plate

    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.
    Seared pork loin in skillet

    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.
    Pork Loin with Sauerkraut in slow cooker

    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

    • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
    • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork 
    • Slow Cooker Apple Pork Roast

    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.

    Bowl of Pork and Sauerkraut

    Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

    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. 
    4.92 from 220 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: German
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours hours
    Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 267kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    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
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    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

    • 6-8 quart Slow Cooker

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 460mg | Potassium: 808mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 10.8mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.9mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    This post was originally published in December 2018, was updated in December 2019 with a new video and pictures. 

     

    « Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Pam

      June 02, 2023 at 7:10 am

      Hi there. Should I use a red or green apple? Also, yellow or white onion? Looking forward to making this!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 02, 2023 at 7:49 am

        Hi Pam! A granny smith green apple or sweet red apple, like Fuji, Honey Crisp, will work well. I don't recommend a red delicious, as it will become mealy. And a yellow or white onion can be used.

        Reply
    2. Debi M

      May 25, 2023 at 9:36 am

      5 stars
      Excellent meal that was so easy to make. My adult kids were making faces when I told them I was making pork & sauerkraut for dinner-sauerkraut was what they were unsure of as I’ve never served sauerkraut before. It was delicious with enough gravy to go over mashed potatoes or rice. My family said they hope I make this dish every month-it was that tasty!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 25, 2023 at 2:55 pm

        I love when a meal makes the entire family happy! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    3. Jenzyjo

      May 18, 2023 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      My family absolutely loves this dish, thank you

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 19, 2023 at 6:51 am

        Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
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    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. It also happens to be a crock pot meal that is gluten free, paleo friendly, and dairy free.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    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. It also happens to be a crock pot meal that is gluten free, paleo friendly, and dairy free.

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