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This slow cooker pork roast and sauerkraut recipe with apples and onions is a great way to make pork roast and sauerkraut in a crock pot. Grandma’s traditional New Year’s Day dinner made easier!
Table of Contents
Crock Pot Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe
My Polish Slovak family has been cooking pork and sauerkraut together forever. Whether it was kielbasa and sauerkraut or roast pork for good luck on New Year’s Day, this classic combination has long been a family favorite!
Grandma used to roast the pork in the oven, but I find it easier to make pork and sauerkraut in a crock pot. It’s the perfect cooking method for this easy meal.
I add a little brown sugar and a chopped apple for sweetness and to balance out the tangy sauerkraut. Even my picky eaters love this easy recipe. It’s definitely comfort food!
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this traditional dish. They should be easy to find in your grocery store. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Pork loin roast — boneless pork loin NOT pork tenderloin
- Sauerkraut — I use a jar of sauerkraut, but a bag or cans will also work.
- Apple — I use a Granny Smith apple chopped into smaller pieces. You can use your favorite baking apple variety here.
- Onion — chopped, for flavor
- Brown sugar — to cut the tartness from the sauerkraut. You can use maple syrup if you like.
- Apple juice — Makes a delicious sauce for the roast. You can use chicken broth, apple cider or even water.
- Seasonings — sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder
How to Make Pork Roast and Sauerkraut in a Crock Pot
First, drain and rinse the sauerkraut. Then, squeeze out as much of the sauerkraut juice as you can. It will still have plenty of flavor. If you are a true fan of all things sauerkraut, you can skip this step.
Place the sauerkraut, onions, brown sugar and chopped apples in the bottom of the crockpot.
Then, place the pork roast, fat cap side up, on top of the sauerkraut mixture. Pour the apple juice over and around the pork roast.
Then, sprinkle the seasoning on top of the pork roast. I like to pat the seasoning mixture into the roast.
Cooking Time
Cook the sauerkraut and pork for 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees F according to a meat thermometer.
Cook time will vary with different brands and models of slow cookers. I have a 7-quart crockpot, and the roast was done in 5 hours.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Refrigerate leftover pork roast in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can freeze this hearty meal for up to 3 months. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Helpful Tips
When the roast is done, slice into smaller pieces and keep warm simmering in the juices until ready to serve.
If you are using a different cut of pork, like pork butt or pork shoulder roast, the cook time will be longer. You can also use thick cut pork chops in this recipe.
Serve the roast over mashed potatoes or with roasted potatoes and applesauce. On New Years Day, add a side of black eyed pea salsa for extra luck and good fortune in the coming year!
More Easy Pork Roast Recipes
If you love pork roasts and pork recipes, try my maple mustard pork roast or my slow cooker pork roast and apples. If you have an electric pressure cooker, try Instant Pot pulled pork recipe.
Slow Cooker Pork Roast and Sauerkraut
Ingredients
- 25 oz jar sauerkraut
- 1 large apple peeled, cored, chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3 pound pork loin roast
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Spray a large slow cooker with non stick cooking spray
- Drain, rinse and squeeze excess liquid from sauerkraut
- Place sauerkraut, apples, onions and brown sugar on bottom of slow cooker
- Place roast on top of sauerkraut mixture
- Pour apple juice over and around pork roast
- Season roast with salt, garlic powder and pepper, and add cover
- Cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low or until temperature is 145℉
- Slice roast, and allow to simmer in juices on warm until ready to serve
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Super easy and love the flavor combinations! The whole family loved it!
So glad you all liked the pork roast. Thank you so much for the review!