Oh, let me tell ya, honey, makin’ a good ol’ crock pot pork chops and sauerkraut, it ain’t fancy, but boy, does it fill the belly! Ain’t no need for all them complicated recipes. Just grab them pork chops, little bit o’ sauerkraut, some onions if ya got ’em, and let that crock pot do the work. Real simple. Lemme walk ya through it.
Start with Them Pork Chops
Now, I tell ya, don’t go frettin’ about gettin’ the fanciest meat. All ya need is some good ol’ bone-in pork chops, keeps ‘em juicy and tender, ya know? If ya got frozen ones sittin’ in the freezer, make sure ya thaw them first, or that crock pot will take forever. I’m tellin’ ya, honey, the meat gotta be thawed so it cooks nice and even. I just put ‘em in the fridge overnight, easy as pie.
Gettin’ that Sauerkraut Ready
Ah, sauerkraut! Don’t be afraid of that sour smell; it’s part of the charm, darlin’. Sauerkraut is real good for the gut, too, bein’ all fermented and whatnot. Helps ya digest better than regular ol’ cabbage, they say. So get a can or jar of it, or if yer real fancy, make it homemade. Just a couple cups will do fine for this recipe.
Put It All Together in the Crock Pot
Here comes the fun part. Grab that crock pot, and don’t go gettin’ fancy on me now. Just lay them pork chops right at the bottom. If ya wanna add some flavor, sprinkle some salt, pepper, and maybe even a little paprika if yer feelin’ wild.
- First Layer: Pork chops, lay ‘em flat at the bottom.
- Second Layer: Sauerkraut, pour it right over those chops.
- Optional: Chop up an onion and throw that in too for a little extra flavor.
That’s it, honey! Just put the lid on, set it to low, and let ‘er go for about six to eight hours. If yer in a hurry, four hours on high will do, but ya know, low and slow is always best. Gives them flavors a chance to really soak into the meat, gettin’ it all tender-like.
Checkin’ on Them Chops
Now, once them hours are up, just open the lid and give it a little peek. Them pork chops oughta be lookin’ real tender, and ya don’t want to cook ‘em too long, or they’ll get dry and tough. Now, here’s a trick I learned from my grandma: if ya got a meat thermometer, poke it in one of them chops and check. You want that pork to be right at about 145 degrees Fahrenheit, honey, no higher. That’s how you keep ‘em juicy.
Let ‘Em Rest Before Serving
Now, don’t go diggin’ in right away! Take them chops out and let ‘em sit for a good five minutes. Helps keep them juices in the meat. If you cut in too quick, all that juiciness goes right on the plate, and that’s just wastin’ good flavor.
What to Serve with Pork Chops and Sauerkraut?
Well now, once them chops and kraut are all ready, ya might be wonderin’ what goes good on the side. I tell ya, keep it simple. Some mashed taters, maybe a bit of cornbread, or even a little apple sauce to sweeten up that sauerkraut. Real old-fashioned and hits the spot every time.
Leftovers? No Problem!
If ya got leftovers (though I don’t know how ya would, these are mighty tasty!), just stick ‘em in a container and pop it in the fridge. Heat it up the next day, and it’s just as good, maybe even better ‘cause all them flavors had time to mingle overnight.
Why Pork Chops and Sauerkraut are So Good Together
Ya know, there’s somethin’ special about pork chops and sauerkraut. That sauerkraut, it’s got all them healthy bacteria from fermentin’, makes it good for yer belly. And pork, well, it’s a good source of protein, fills ya up nice. This dish here, it’s real nutritious, even if it don’t seem fancy. Pork and kraut just go together, like biscuits and gravy, ya know?
So there ya go, darlin’. Simple, hearty, and just about foolproof. Next time yer lookin’ for somethin’ to make for supper, just try this crock pot pork chops and sauerkraut. Set it and forget it, as they say, and by supper time, ya got a meal that’ll make ya feel right at home. Bon appétit, or, well, just dig in!
Tags：crock pot pork chops, sauerkraut, slow cooker pork, tender pork chops, easy pork recipe, homestyle cooking
