Perfect! German-style sauerkraut with pork chops is a classic hearty dish—tangy, savory, and easy to make in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. Here’s a reliable recipe:
Ingredients (4 servings)
- 4 bone-in pork chops (1-inch thick)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil (for browning, optional)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) jar or can sauerkraut, drained (reserve some juice if you like it tangy)
- 1 apple, peeled and sliced (optional, adds sweetness)
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional, classic German flavor)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1–2 tablespoons butter (optional, for richness at the end)
Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Season and brown pork chops (optional)
- Salt and pepper chops. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown chops 2–3 minutes per side. Browning adds flavor but isn’t required.
- Sauté onions and garlic
- In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until soft and lightly caramelized.
- Combine with sauerkraut
- Stir in sauerkraut, apple slices (if using), broth, caraway seeds, and paprika. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook pork chops with kraut
- Nestle the browned pork chops into the kraut mixture. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes, or until chops are cooked through (internal temp 145°F / 63°C).
- Finish and serve
- Stir in butter for extra richness if desired. Serve hot with potatoes, spaetzle, or bread.
Slow Cooker Method
- Layer ingredients
- Place pork chops at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add sauerkraut, onion, garlic, apple, broth, caraway, and paprika.
- Cook
- Cover and cook on low 6–7 hours or high 3–4 hours, until pork is tender.
- Finish
- Remove pork chops, stir butter into sauerkraut for richness, then serve pork on top.
Tips
- Using a slightly sweet apple (like Honeycrisp) balances the tang of the sauerkraut.
- Don’t rinse the sauerkraut—you want that tangy flavor!
- Caraway seeds are traditional but optional if you don’t have them.
- For thicker sauce, drain some sauerkraut juice or reduce liquid on stovetop before serving.
If you want, I can also give a one-pot German-style pork chop and kraut recipe with potatoes included—everything cooks together for a super easy comfort meal. Do you want that version?
