Pork and Sauerkraut is a basic New 12 months’s dish meant to carry a bit good luck together with dinner, and I’m not one to mess with custom. This budget-friendly model is a sluggish braise, but it surely’s largely hands-off and very low-stress. Because the pork gently roasts away, it soaks up taste from the tangy sauerkraut, apples, and heat spices like caraway and paprika. The entire pot smells unbelievable and tastes even higher by the point it’s carried out. The pork turns into fall-apart tender, the sauerkraut wealthy and balanced, and is sufficient to serve 8 individuals(!) Serve this simple pork and sauerkraut as is, spoon it generously over creamy mashed potatoes (that are all the time my go-to), or flip the leftovers into sliders the following day!

Pin this recipe for later!
All recipes are rigorously examined in our Nashville Take a look at Kitchen to make sure they’re simple, reasonably priced, and scrumptious.
simple Pulled Pork and Sauerkraut
Rooted in German and Pennsylvania Dutch custom, pork and sauerkraut is a dish historically loved on New 12 months’s Day, usually served as an emblem of fine fortune. Pork symbolizes ahead progress as we transfer into the yr forward, whereas cabbage and sauerkraut are tied to wealth, longevity, and prosperity. I actually imagine that if we will begin the New 12 months with a meal that’s each scrumptious and significant, it’s a win-win throughout!
This recipe is an easy technique to honor the custom whereas protecting dinner simple and reasonably priced. I slow-roast a well-seasoned pork butt in a flavorful combination of sauerkraut, pink and inexperienced apples, onions, rooster broth, and spices. This methodology makes this budget-friendly lower of meat SO tender that it simply shreds with a fork and turns into essentially the most flavorful pulled pork. It’s actually scrumptious, if I do say so myself.🤤
- Drain the sauerkraut first. Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage, and salt performs a giant position in that fermentation course of. I all the time drain it earlier than cooking as a result of it lets me management the salt stage within the closing dish, so I don’t find yourself with pork that’s too salty.
- Don’t skip searing the pork. The golden crust provides a lot umami (savory) taste and offers the entire dish a richer style that’s completely value it.
- Bigger pork butts want an extended cooking time. In case you’re utilizing an even bigger pork butt, plan on about 40-60 minutes additional per pound within the oven at 300°F with the lid on. Pork butt is completed when it’s tender, streds simply, and reaches an inner temperature within the 190-205°F vary. Additionally, keep watch over the liquid within the pot. There ought to all the time be sufficient to stop burning and assist the pork keep juicy because it cooks low and sluggish.
- You possibly can simply alter the servings. In case you change the serving dimension within the recipe card under, all of the ingredient quantities will alter routinely, together with the dimensions of pork butt you’ll want.
Pork and Sauerkraut
Price $15.09 Recipe / $1.89 Serving
This simple Pork and Sauerkraut is slow-braised with apples and heat spices. A budget-friendly New 12 months’s basic that’s hands-off and feeds a crowd!


Preheat the oven to 300°F. Collect and prep all components.
Season the pork butt completely on all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Warmth oil in a big Dutch oven over medium-high warmth. Sear the pork on all sides till deeply golden, about 8-10 minutes complete. Switch pork to a plate.
Cut back the warmth to medium. Add the onion and apples to the pot and prepare dinner, stirring sometimes, till softened and calmly browned, 5-8 minutes.
Stir within the garlic, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, caraway seeds, smoked paprika, remaining black pepper, and bay leaf. Prepare dinner till aromatic, about 1 minute.
Add the sauerkraut and pour within the rooster broth, stirring effectively to mix and create a good sauerkraut mattress.
Nestle the pork butt on high of the sauerkraut combination. Cowl with the lid and switch to the oven. Roast for 3-3½ hours, or till the pork is fork-tender.
Take away the lid, improve oven temperature to 375°F, and proceed roasting for 20-Half-hour, permitting the pork to brown and the liquid to scale back barely.
Take away from the oven and let relaxation for 10 minutes. Shred the pork instantly within the Dutch oven utilizing two forks, then fold it into the sauerkraut combination and serve heat.
See how we calculate recipe prices right here.
**This recipe is examined and value out utilizing Higher Than Bouillon to make the rooster broth. If utilizing a unique broth or inventory, seasoning ranges might differ. Style earlier than serving and alter salt as wanted.
Make-ahead pleasant: This dish tastes even higher the following day because the flavors meld. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in a low oven.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 34gFats: 12gSodium: 1865mgFiber: 5g
Learn our full
diet disclaimer right here.
the best way to make Pork and Sauerkraut – step-by-step images


Collect your entire components and preheat the oven to 300°F.


Add seasonings: Season a 3 lb. pork butt generously on all sides with 1 Tbsp salt, ½ Tbsp black pepper, and ½ Tbsp garlic powder.


Sear the meat: Add 1 Tbsp cooking oil to a big Dutch oven and warmth over medium-high warmth. Sear the pork on all sides till deeply golden, about 8 to 10 minutes complete, then switch it to a plate.


Sauté the onion and apples: Decrease the warmth to medium and add 1 sliced onion (2 cups), 1 sliced honey crisp apple (2 cups), and 1 sliced granny smith apple (2 cups) to the pot. Prepare dinner, stirring from time to time, till softened and calmly browned, about 5 to eight minutes.


Add remaining components: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp caraway seeds, 1 tsp smoked paprika, remaining ½ tsp black pepper, and 1 bay leaf. Prepare dinner simply till aromatic, about 1 minute.


Add 32 oz. drained sauerkraut and pour in 1 cup rooster broth, stirring effectively so every thing is evenly mixed.


Roast: Place the pork butt on high of the sauerkraut combination, cowl with the lid, and switch to the oven. Roast for 3 to 3½ hours, till the pork is fork-tender.


Take away the lid, improve the oven temperature to 375°F, and roast for an additional 20 to Half-hour, letting the pork brown and the liquid scale back barely.


Take away from the oven and let relaxation for 10 minutes.


Shred the pork: Use two forks to shred the pork within the Dutch oven.


Serve: Fold the meat into the sauerkraut, and serve heat. Get pleasure from!


Serving Recommendations
I prefer to serve this dish heat, piling the tender pork roast and sauerkraut over buttery mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or creamy polenta so none of these juices go to waste. Crusty no-knead bread or rye bread on the aspect can be good for dipping. If you wish to lighten issues up a bit, add a aspect of roasted potatoes, steamed inexperienced beans, or a salad with a pointy mustardy dressing. And don’t sleep on the leftovers! They’re superb tucked into sandwiches or piled onto Hawaiian rolls with a bit mustard the following day.
Storage & Reheating
Retailer leftovers, as soon as cooled, in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. To freeze, let the sauerkraut and pork cool utterly, then freeze in freezer-safe containers for as much as 2 months. While you’re prepared to make use of it, thaw in a single day within the fridge for the most effective texture and taste.
To reheat, heat gently on the stovetop over medium-low warmth, including a splash of broth if wanted to maintain every thing juicy. You can too reheat it lined in a 325°F oven till warmed via. For particular person parts, the microwave works effectively, simply cowl loosely so it doesn’t dry out.












