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Slow Cooker Pork & Sauerkraut + VIDEO

Slow cooker pork & sauerkraut is an easy pork recipe traditionally eaten on New Years Day. You can also make this healthy low-carb, paleo, whole30 pork recipe in your Instant Pot.

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Updated 2018 with Instant Pot instructions

seasoned pork loin

Eating Pork & Sauerkraut On New Years Day

Pork & sauerkraut is eaten on New Year’s Day to bring good luck for the upcoming year. The tradition of eating pork & kraut on New Years is largely due to the Pennsylvania Dutch community. Why do they eat pork? It’s tradition to eat pork on New Year’s because pigs root forward, the same direction we should be moving in the New Year. Sauerkraut is eaten because traditionally cabbage was easy to farm so it was aplenty during the winter season. It also preserves well with a long shelf life. Sauerkraut is nothing more than fermented cabbage. It’s low-calorie, low-carb, paleo, and whole30. Both my parents are both from Pennsylvania. Not Dutch country (Pittsburgh) but I still grew up eating pork & sauerkraut on a fairly regular basis. These days I pretty much have it only on New Years Day however it is great served year-round.

cut the meat if needed

What Type Of Pork To Use

I like to use a boneless cut of pork (usually loin or country-style ribs) so I can slice or shred it when it’s done cooking. But technically you can use any cut of pork whether it be loin, ribs, chops, shoulder,  etc. I’ve even used baby back ribs when I couldn’t find country-style. Some cuts of pork are tougher than others so you might need to adjust the cook time depending on what you use. For example to get to the point of falling-apart-tender, a bone-in pork shoulder might need to cook an additional hour or so longer vs a boneless pork loin. You can use anywhere between 2-3 pounds of meat without making any measurement adjustments to the ingredients in this recipe. You may need to cut your pork to make it fit into the slow cooker or electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot).

before (slow cooker)

Adding Potatoes

In order for this recipe to be low-carb, there can’t be potatoes. But if you’re not following a low-carb lifestyle, you can easily add up to a pound of potatoes to this recipe without having to make modifications to the cook time. Waxy potatoes like red, baby or yellow potatoes work best with the slow cooker or Instant Pot because they hold their shape better during the long cook times. When I use potatoes, I usually add in yellow or red potatoes.

after (slow cooker)

Homemade Seasoning Salt

This recipes call for approximately two tablespoons of seasoning salt. Use your favorite seasoning salt or use my homemade blend below. Since my homemade seasoning salt already includes salt, it’s is not a separate ingredient in the recipe. If the seasoning salt you use does not have already include salt, you will need to add a teaspoon or so to the recipe.

Storing Leftover Pork & Sauerkraut

If you have leftover pork & sauerkraut, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You also have the option to freeze leftover pork & kraut. Frozen leftover pork & sauerkraut can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw leftovers overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

 

Other New Year’s recipes you might like:

Black-Eyed Peas

Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Short Ribs with Black Eyed Peas

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.

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Pork and Sauerkraut

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2.53 pounds boneless pork loin
  • 28 ounces sauerkraut in juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons seasoning salt (see below for homemade blend)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pound baby potatoes, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (for Instant Pot)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth for the slow cooker, 1 cup for Instant Pot only

Homemade Seasoning Salt

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Season pork with all over with seasoning salt. Optional: Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the seasoned pork and sear on each side. Add pork to the bottom of the slow cooker. If you’re using potatoes, add the potatoes on top.
  2. In a large bowl, add the broth, sauerkraut, Dijon, garlic, and thyme. Stir to mix well. Pour the mixture on top of the pork in the slow cooker.
  3. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Instant Pot

  1. Season pork with all over with the seasoning salt.
  2. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot, add oil & the seasoned pork and brown a few minutes on each side. Remove pork and set aside. Turn off the appliance.
  3. Pour in broth and deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon.
  4. Stir in Dijon mustard and thyme.
  5. Add the pork back to the pressure cooker. Add sauerkraut on top of pork. If using potatoes, add on top of the sauerkraut. Do not stir.
  6. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook 20 minutes per pound of pork. When done, natural release pressure until the pressure pin drops down.
  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 276
  • Sugar: 2.4 g
  • Fat: 5.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 3.9 g
  • Protein: 48.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 147.3 mg

 

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on one of the product links, I might receive compensation. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.

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Slow Cooker Pork & Sauerkraut + VIDEO
Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Richard Delp

Sunday 4th of December 2022

I’m going to make this recipe today. I will eliminate the mustard and substitute Riesling wine for the chicken broth.

Shannon Epstein

Monday 5th of December 2022

Ooh I never thought to use Riesling! Fantastic idea.

Dave & Kat

Thursday 2nd of September 2021

Hi Shannon,

My wife and I just finished putting together this recipe in our instant pot. We now have about an hour wait before we get to try it. I had a very similar dish prepared in a standard pressure cooker some years ago, but we just recently bought the instant pot and wanted to try it out in our new toy. Looking forward to trying it, and will post our results when finished.

Thanks again for all you do on this site!

Dave & Kat

Friday 3rd of September 2021

Just wanted to report back that the recipe turned out great! I’m still miserable this morning from eating way too much last night! 😎

Shannon Epstein

Thursday 2nd of September 2021

Uh oh the pressure is on....no pun intended:-) Please let me know how it work out! Honest opinions & constructive criticism are always accepted & appreciated.

Mary Chamberlain

Thursday 8th of April 2021

This is almost exactly like my recipe. I don't put mustard in it. This is the absolute best meal there is. My MIL made hers like this and put canned evaporated milk in it. She called it sauerkraut goulash..

Jale

Tuesday 7th of April 2020

I just put this in my instant pot for 25 minutes high and it says to natural release it but it doesn’t say for how long?

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Tuesday 7th of April 2020

Thanks for pointing that out, I'll update the recipe. Natural release entirely but if you're in a pinch it won't hurt if it only gets 10 minutes natural release then a quick release.

Loretta

Tuesday 10th of March 2020

I can’t do onions . However can I use garlic powder in place of the garlic Itself? I making this tomorrow - sounds delicious Thanks! :)

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Friday 13th of March 2020

Absolutely!