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This is hands down the best pork and sauerkraut recipe. Tender, juicy pork cooks low and slow with tangy sauerkraut and sweet apples for a dish that hits the perfect balance of savory and just sweet enough.
Even if you grew up avoiding pork and sauerkraut (that was me), this version changes minds. It uses a short list of ingredients, takes just minutes to prep, and delivers flavorful, fork-tender pork you'll want to make year round, not just for New Year's luck!
Kristen's Keys for Pork and Sauerkraut
Paying attention to these tips will ensure that you ACTUALLY enjoy pork and sauerkraut.
- Cooking your pork and sauerkraut in the slow cooker is the way to go. Braised low and slow with sauerkraut, the pork loin will stay juicy and tender. And while this can be done in the oven or on the stove, using a Crockpot lets this meal be mostly hands-off.
- Don't skip searing the pork. This step adds deep flavor and helps the pork hold onto its juices while it cooks.
- Drain the sauerkraut. This gives you control over the salt level and prevents the dish from tasting overly sharp.
- Balance the tang of the sauerkraut with apples. The sauerkraut works wonders to tenderize the pork, but it also brings quite a bit of tangy undertones. It is best to add a bit of sweetness to round it out. Apple juice and slices of apples do this naturally without making the dish sugary.
5-Star Reader Review
Best Pork and sauerkraut recipe I have made (and I've made quite a few over the years). The pork was delicious and fork tender, the addition of apple juice and apple wedges were fantastic and added a sweet hint against the tangy sauerkraut. I served this with mashed potatoes and my family loved it! Thanks for this great (and so easy) recipe. It's definitely a five star winner! -Elle
How to Make Crockpot Pork and Sauerkraut
Think of this as me standing next to you in the kitchen, with tips reminding you why each step matters.
Step One: Season and Sear the Pork Loin
Heat a bit of oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven. While the oil is heating, take the chance to liberally season the pork loin with salt and pepper over all sides, then add the pork to the heated oil and sear the pork for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned and easy to flip. Transfer the seared pork to the slow cooker.
????????Note on pan: I prefer using a deep Dutch oven over a skillet to keep the oil from splattering onto my stove, but use what you have.
Step Two: Layer Ingredients
Pour the apple juice over the seared pork. Place the sliced onions, apples, and and garlic around the pork loin, then top with sauerkraut.
Step Three: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the pork is very tender and easily shreds.
Step Four: Shred and Serve
Remove the pork loin from the slow cooker. Shred using two forks and serve with the sauerkraut. We love it over creamy mashed potatoes with a side of homemade applesauce. The perfect cozy meal.
Recipe Notes & Modifications
- No apple juice? Use chicken stock and add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to balance the tang. Keep in mind the apple juice really does make this dish shine.
- Larger pork loin? Use about 16 ounces of sauerkraut for a 2-4 pound pork loin. If your pork is larger, double the sauerkraut so everything stays balanced.
- Short on time? There's an Instant Pot version for days when low and slow just isn't in the cards.
- Storage: Leftover pork and sauerkraut can be stored in an airtight container the refrigerator for 3 days and frozen for up to 3 months.
More Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut
Video
Ingredients
- 3 pound pork loin, trimmed of excess fat
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 medium sweet, firm apple, sliced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 16 ounces sauerkraut, drained
Instructions
- Liberally season the pork loin with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or a dutch oven. Sear pork loin on all sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Add seared pork into a slow cooker.
- Pour 1 cup apple juice into the slow cooker. Add sliced onions, apples, and garlic around the pork loin and then top with 16 ounces sauerkraut that has been drained.
- Place lid on the slow cooker and cook for 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low.
- Remove pork from slow cooker and slice or shred and serve with cooking liquids.
Equipment
- 6-8 quart Slow Cooker (no bells and whistles, but gets the job done!)
- Large skillet (my favorite non-toxic nonstick pan)
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published in December 2018, was updated in December 2025.
I’ve never made pork and sauerkraut before, but living in Central PA for my whole life, I decided that today I would start. I stumbled upon this recipe and put it in the crockpot this morning. Oh my gosh, it was delicious! Thank you so much. I did use local apple cider instead of the juice, but that was the only change I made.
I am so glad you stumbled upon my recipe and were happy with the results! Happy New Year!
It’s a tradition here in PA to eat a pork & sauerkraut meal on New Year’s day so that you have good luck in the new year. I used this recipe today & it was delicious! It was full of flavor and I added mashed potatoes & green beans to the meal like you suggested. Will definitely make again! Cooked 2 pork loins (1.5 lbs each) on low for about 4 hours; I could probably reduce cooking time by 15-30 mins next time.
This was sooooo good. I doubled the sauerkraut but other than that followed the directions. Definitely a keeper.
Best pork and sauerkraut recipe EVER and I’ve been eating it my entire life!
My Mom would have loved this!
I made this for our New Years Day celebration. It was the best recipe ever. Thank you!
Can you use apple cider instead of apple juice?
Absolutely! It will be delicious. But just to be clear, do not use apple cider vinegar...a lot of people confuse the two.
This sounds delicious but it would be helpful to know how many apples and how much.juice.
Hi Brenda! The amounts of everything are in the recipe card. This recipe calls for 1 apple and 1 cup of juice.
Wow! First time in 11 years my son-in-law texted me to say "thank you... the food was delicious." This recipe is a keeper and the reason 2022 might be the year I start cooking again!
This is the BEST kind of compliment! Thanks for sharing!
Can you add applesauce by chance maybe not a cup but some as a substitute for apple sauce?
Hi Kyla! The applesauce won't work to keep the meat juicy. I would use chicken broth and a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar to balance out the sourness of the sauerkraut.
Just a note…I used an entire jar of unsweetened applesauce and it worked. The meat was moist and delicious. 🙂