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Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

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This easy slow cooker pork and sauerkraut recipe is a Pennsylvania Dutch New Year’s tradition, featuring fork-tender pork, tangy kraut, and a touch of apple for sweetness. It’s a comforting, hands-off meal perfect for family gatherings or chilly winter nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs boneless pork loin roast (or bone-in pork shoulder)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1–2 tbsp oil (canola or olive oil)
  • 32 oz sauerkraut (jar or bag, drained slightly)
  • 1 large apple, peeled and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1–2 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
  • 1–2 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 2–3 medium potatoes, quartered (optional)
  • Smoked sausage, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork roast dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown (optional but recommended).
  3. Spread half the sauerkraut in the bottom of a 6–8 quart slow cooker. Add sliced apples, onions, caraway seeds (if using), brown sugar, and bay leaf.
  4. Place the seared pork roast on top of the sauerkraut mixture. Pour in the broth, then cover with the remaining sauerkraut.
  5. If using potatoes or sausage, tuck them around the pork and kraut.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until pork is fork-tender and reaches at least 145°F internally.
  7. Let the pork rest in the slow cooker (lid off) for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Slice or shred the pork and serve with sauerkraut and veggies.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Add more broth if kraut seems dry, or more brown sugar if too tangy.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking adds extra flavor and depth. For a milder kraut, rinse before using. Adjust sweetness and tanginess with brown sugar and apples. Use a Dutch oven in place of a slow cooker if desired. Leftovers improve in flavor overnight and freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pork and sauerkraut, New Year's pork, Pennsylvania Dutch, comfort food, crockpot pork, traditional, gluten-free, dairy-free

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/slow-cooker-pork-and-sauerkraut-recipe-easy-new-years-tradition/