Need an easy but filling slow cooker dinner? Classic pork and sauerkraut in the slow cooker delivers a flavorful and nutritious one-pot meal! This hearty, German-inspired dish is packed with tender pork loin, tangy sauerkraut, sweet apples, and rustic carrots and potatoes.

white dinner plate on wooden cutting board of pork and sauerkraut with gold fork, with another plate and salt and pepper shakers in background

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Pork and Sauerkraut New Year’s Tradition

Authentic pork and sauerkraut is a classic German-inspired dish that is often served as a traditional New Year’s Day meal for good luck. Pork symbolizes prosperity, and the shredded cabbage in sauerkraut represents wealth, which is why the pairing is served together.

What’s To Love About This Recipe

This classic pork and sauerkraut is the perfect meal to enjoy any time of year – not just during the holidays! Prep it for busy weeknights after long days or let it simmer as an easy, satisfying weekend slow roast.
Pork and sauerkraut make a hearty comfort-food dinner with protein, veggies, and carbs all in one, plus plenty of bright, tangy flavor.
Once you have the ingredients prepped and chopped, you can set and forget this dish in the slow cooker until it’s time to serve! It’s best cooked low and slow, which makes it an easy option for days away from home.
This sweet-and-savory dish is packed with nutrients and perfect for meal prep. Portion meat and vegetables into servings for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week, and rest assured you’ll have a healthy meal ready to go when you need it.

Ingredients Needed

Boneless pork loin – Pork loin is leaner than pork shoulder, so cooking low and slow helps keep it tender without drying out. The slow cooker is one of the best ways to effortlessly prepare juicy and flavorful pork loin!
Sauerkraut – Sauerkraut has a delicious, tangy flavor that pairs well with the richness of pork loin and the sweetness of the carrots and apples. You can find it in a canned or jarred version, or in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Drain it first if it has a lot of liquid, but don’t rinse it in order to preserve the signature flavor.
Yellow onion – Thinly slice a medium yellow onion for added texture, depth, and slight sweetness in the recipe.
Honeycrisp apples – Honeycrisp apples have a nice, firm texture and a moderate level of sweetness, which adds the perfect balance for the tangy sauerkraut and hearty root vegetables. Peel, core, and slice the apples to layer in the slow cooker.
Yukon gold or red potatoes – Gold or red potatoes are more waxy than other varieties. This enables them to hold their shape well during slow cooking. Cut them into large chunks and layer them at the bottom of the slow cooker to create a barrier for the pork loin.
Carrots – Carrots add a sweet, rustic element to this dish. Peel and cut them into thick slices for hearty bites.
Unsweetened apple juice – This adds the necessary moisture to create steam in the slow cooker and enhances the sweet-savory balance. Apple juice infuses flavor into the vegetables and complements the pork loin.
Olive oil – Olive oil coats the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent burning and adds flavor to the vegetables.
Seasoning – Mix up a simple blend of spices from your pantry to season this multi-faceted dish! Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt (adjusted to taste) to create a delicious combination that brings all the flavors together.

ingredients in containers to include two pieces of pork loin, red potato wedges, sliced carrots, olive oil, sauerkraut, apple slices, apple juice, sliced onion and dry ingredients to include garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper and paprika

How To Make Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

Drizzle the olive oil into the bottom of the slow cooker.
Layer the potatoes and carrots evenly on the bottom.

overhead view of black slow cooker with olive oil drizzled on bottom

overhead view of black slow cooker with carrots and potatoes

Scatter the sliced onion and apples over the vegetables.
Place the pork loin on top of the onion and apples.

overhead view of black slow cooker with carrots, potatoes, onions and apple slices

overhead view of black slow cooker with 2 pieces of pork loin atop vegetables

Season the pork with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.

overhead view of black slow cooker with 2 pieces of seasoned pork loin atop vegetables

Spread the sauerkraut evenly over and around the pork.
Pour the apple juice around the edges of the slow cooker, avoiding pouring directly over the pork.

overhead view of black slow cooker with 2 pieces of seasoned pork loin atop vegetables with sauerkraut

overhead view of black slow cooker with 2 pieces of seasoned pork loin atop vegetables with sauerkraut and hand pouring apple juice into slow cooker

Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is very tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
Remove the pork and slice or shred as desired.

wooden cutting board with 2 pieces of slow cooked pork loin, half sliced, with knife on side

Serve with sauerkraut, apples, and vegetables spooned over the top.

overhead view of slow cooked pork and sauerkraut in black slow cooker

Pro Tips

Pork loin is the best choice for this recipe, especially when cooked low and slow. This helps it remain super tender without drying out.
Jarred or bagged sauerkraut will both work for this recipe. Choose one without added sugars if possible for better ingredient control.
If the sauerkraut has a lot of liquid, it should be drained before going into the slow cooker. However, do not rinse it – you want to keep the signature tangy flavor.
Layering the vegetables on the bottom of the slow cooker helps prevent burning and protects the pork from direct heat, which can cause it to dry out. Additionally, keeping the liquid around (instead of over) the pork helps maintain the seasoning and texture.
Adding the sauerkraut over the pork also helps prevent it from burning during cooking.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Pork shoulder can be used instead for a richer, more forgiving result, but it will have more fat and grease in the final dish.
For a slightly sweeter version, add a small amount of brown sugar or honey to the slow cooker along with the seasonings.
If you’d like a lower-carb option, you can make this dish without potatoes or serve them as a separate side dish.

wooden cutting board of shredded pork loin with 2 forks

Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut

Follow the same assembly directions in the Instant Pot.
Cook for 25-30 minutes on high pressure and allow a natural pressure release (at least 10 minutes).
Remove the pork to slice or shred, then plate as desired.

How To Serve Pork and Sauerkraut

This hearty one-pot dinner doesn’t need much more for a well-rounded plate! Slice or shred the pork, then plate it with all of the tender vegetables and extra juices from the pot.

If you’d like, serve with other potato options, such as Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Slow Cooker Herbed Baby Potatoes for variety. Add a slice of crusty bread and butter, additional steamed vegetables, or fresh-tossed salad greens with a simple dressing.

large white platter containing pork and sauerkraut with gold spoons, with another small plate and gold fork on side

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Leftover pork and sauerkraut store well in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

The leftovers also freeze well in a sealed container for up to 3 months; although I don’t recommend freezing the potatoes because of texture changes when defrosted. It is best to initially cook only as many potatoes as you will eat before freezing.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftover pork and sauerkraut in the microwave or in a skillet gently with a splash of broth or apple juice to maintain moisture.