Well now, if you’re lookin’ for a simple and hearty meal, let me tell ya, this crockpot pork chops and sauerkraut recipe will fill yer belly right up. It ain’t too fancy or nothin’, but it sure is tasty. My grandma used to make this for Sunday dinners when we were kids, and we’d all sit down together at the table, the smell fillin’ the whole house. There’s somethin’ about the way the pork and sauerkraut cook together slow and steady in that ol’ crockpot that makes it so darn good.
First things first, you gotta get yourself some pork chops. Now, I know a lotta folks use them big thick chops, but I always liked the thinner ones myself. They cook faster and, with the crockpot, they get nice and tender. You don’t need to worry ‘bout them bein’ too fatty neither, ‘cause the sauerkraut’s gonna give it all the flavor you need. Plus, with the long cookin’ time, it’s gonna soak up all that good sauerkraut juice and get real tender-like.
What You Need:
- 4-6 pork chops (doesn’t matter if they’re bone-in or boneless, but bone-in sure gives it more flavor)
- 1 jar of sauerkraut (the bigger the better, I say)
- 1 onion (just a regular yellow one, nothin’ special)
- 1 apple (I like Granny Smith, but any kind will do)
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar (don’t go cheap now, it makes a difference)
- 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds (if ya got it, if not, no worries)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps to Make It:
1. First, you’ll wanna lay them pork chops down in the bottom of the crockpot. Don’t worry ‘bout seasonin’ them too much right away, ‘cause that sauerkraut is gonna do most of the work for ya.
2. Next, chop up your onion and apple. Now, don’t go slicin’ them real fine, just big enough so they cook down but still give some good chunks of flavor. Throw them in on top of the pork chops.
3. Now, pour that sauerkraut right over the top. Make sure you get all them juices in there too, ‘cause that’s where a lot of the flavor comes from. If you like it a little sweeter, toss in the brown sugar at this point. I always put a little extra sugar in there, just to balance out the tartness of the kraut.
4. Drizzle the apple cider vinegar over the whole thing, and sprinkle them caraway seeds if you’re usin’ ‘em. If you don’t have caraway, no big deal, the dish will still taste fine.
5. Now, cover it up, and set that crockpot on low for about 6-8 hours. If you’re in a rush, you can turn it on high for 4 hours, but low and slow is the best way to do it. The longer it cooks, the more tender that pork will get. If you leave it cookin’ all day, you’ll be amazed how that meat just falls apart. But don’t go over two hours if you use thick chops, or they’ll get too dry and chewy.
6. About halfway through cookin’, go ahead and check on it. Stir it up a little, and maybe add some salt and pepper if you feel like it. The kraut is already salty, so don’t overdo it.
7. When it’s done, give it a taste. If you want a little more sweetness, sprinkle a lil’ extra brown sugar. You’ll know it’s ready when the pork is fork-tender and the kraut has soaked up all them juices.
Tips and Tricks:
- If ya like your sauerkraut a bit more on the tangy side, you can add a bit more vinegar. Just be sure not to overdo it, ‘cause that’ll make it too sharp.
- For a heartier meal, serve it with mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes on the side. Makes it real fillin’.
- Some folks like to throw in a couple of bay leaves for extra flavor, but I always forget to do that. Still turns out fine without ’em.
Now, I’ll tell ya, this recipe is somethin’ you can set and forget. No need to stand over the stove, no fancy steps. Just toss it all in that crockpot, and let it work its magic. Come dinnertime, you’ll have a meal that’s as tender as can be, with a perfect balance of savory and sweet, just the way folks like it.
And don’t forget—this meal’s got a bit of tradition to it. Them Germans, they eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s for good luck, and I reckon this recipe brings a little bit of that luck into your home too. So go ahead, give it a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Tags：[crockpot pork chops, sauerkraut recipe, slow cooker pork, easy pork chop recipe, pork and sauerkraut, traditional German recipe, comfort food, hearty dinner, family dinner, pork chop recipe]
