Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut Recipe (2024)

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Pork chops and sauerkraut full of tender juicy pork that melts in your mouth. Added in is tangy sauerkraut that gets a balance from apple cider. A dinner that screams comfort food for all.

My favorite childhood dish is simply this recipe for Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut! My Mom would switch it up for my birthday dinner and prepare a pork loin with sauerkraut!

I'm a cheap date, pork chops, sauerkraut, throw in onions and an apple, equals one happy girl.

Okay enough of me already, back to this yummy recipe.

Low calorie, low-carb gluten-free, and one pan. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing meal too.

Did you know Pork and Sauerkraut are considered a meal to eat on New Year's Day for many with Eastern European heritage?

Pork and Sauerkraut are considered a meal to eat on New Year's Day that will bring health and prosperity for the year ahead. Cabbage is a fall-harvested veggie, usually in October. Homemade sauerkraut takes about 6 weeks to brine. Thus, homemade sauerkraut would be ready end of December. It coincides with the time of year when the pigs were prepared to be food for the families. Therefore, New Year's Day became a popular day to enjoy pork and sauerkraut together and it signified good luck for the year.

Can I freeze this meal?

I have made this meal and placed in a freezer-safe bag. The pork and sauerkraut reheat very well. I reheat in the oven at 300 degrees for about ½ hour.

What other cuts of pork can be used to make this pork chop sauerkraut casserole?

Make this recipe using any cut of pork. You will need to adjust cooking times, depending on the cut of pork. I love this with a boneless pork loin.

What should the internal temperature be when pork iscooked?

To make the best pork chops that are not dry, the internal temperature should be 145 degrees.

What sides go well with Pork and Sauerkraut?

Green Beans with Mushrooms and Shallots

Roasted Broccoli and Garlic

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Garlic

Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes

- yummy! I just need my fuzzy pj's and slippers and I am set for the evening!

How to make Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut:

  • Season the pork chops or pork with black pepper and garlic powder. Heat a large skillet over medium heat add oil to the pan.
  • Brown pork chops or pork loin in a saute pan.
  • Place the pork, apples, and sauerkraut in the slow cooker, low 6-7 hours high for 3-4 hours

Tips on Making Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut in the Oven:

  • Use either boneless or bone-in chops or pork, loin of pork also works - no effect on flavor. I shop by store sales.
  • Brown the pork before finishing the pork chops in the oven. The browning adds amazing flavor and you always have tender pork chops.
  • Use either homemade or store-bought apple cider,or apple juice. Do not use apple cider vinegar which is completely different.
  • An easy made-ahead meal! Simply place the cooked pork chops in the oven to reheat at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes when ready to eat.
  • Light brown sugar is my favorite sweetener for this recipe. Can use another sweetener such as Turbinado sugar. Add the sweetener in increments and check sweetness.

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Some other pork recipes you may enjoy:

Pork and Sun-Dried Tomato Sandwich: a quick and easy meal for lunch or dinner.

Grilled Mexican Pork Chops: pork chops with a kick and topped with tomatillo salsa, so delish.

Instant Pot Pork and Veggies: A fabulous tasting one pot dinner ready in no time.

Foil Baked Ribs in Peach BBQ Sauce: Super easy to make and the peach BBQ Sauce is ah-mazing.

How to Make Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Season pork with pepper and garlic powder. I use about 1 ½ inch thick pork chops.
  3. Heat a cast-iron or oven-safe casserole pan over medium heat, add olive oil.
  4. Sear pork chops to brown on both sides. Remove set aside until all chops browned.
  5. Add onion and apple to the pan and brown slightly 1-2 minutes.
  6. Add the apple cider and brown sugar. Use a wooden spoon to bring up any brown bits at bottom of the pan.
  7. Add back the pork chops and sauerkraut. Move around sauerkraut to ensure covered by the juices.
  8. Place either the lid or aluminum foil on pan or casserole. Bake for about 35-45 minutes. Boneless chops are quicker cooking. The internal temperature of cooked pork should be 145 degrees.

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Originally published Nov 1, 2015.

📖 Recipe

Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut Recipe (4)

Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

Baked pork chops and sauerkraut in apple cider paired with apples and sauerkraut make for a delicious meal! Perfect over mashed cauliflower or mashed potatoes.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked pork chops, pork chops and sauerkraut, pork chops apples

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 srvings

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Eileen Kelly

Equipment Needed:

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
  • 4 5 ounce pork chops, trim fat from chop about 1 ½ inch thick
  • ½ teaspoon pepper to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced thin
  • 1 apple, cored, peeled, and chopped granny smith or Gala are awesome
  • 1 cup homemade apple cider or store-bought apple cider Note 2
  • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar keto, use coconut palm sugar
  • 2 pounds sauerkraut, in a bag and drained Note 1

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  • Season both sides of pork chops with black pepper and garlic powder.

  • In an oven-safe skillet, over medium heat, add the avocado oil. Brown the pork chops on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Set aside.

  • To the skillet, add and combine sliced onion, chopped apple, brown sugar, apple juice, and drained sauerkraut.

  • Add the brown pork chops and combine so that the pork chops are covered with the sauerkraut and juices.

  • Cover the skillet with lid or foil and bake at least 45-60 minutes. Pork chops should be tender and no longer pink. Pork temperature should be 145 degrees. Serve immediately or cool and refrigerate and reheat when ready to eat.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

  • Slow-cooker instructions, after browning the pork chops in the skillet, add all ingredients to the slow-cooker. Slow cook low- 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Serve with your favorite sides.

Video

Notes

Be sure to check Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.

  • Note 1: I prefer sauerkraut in a bag. Canned sauerkraut has a tinny taste that wedo not care for.
  • Note 2: Please note this recipe uses either apple cider or apple juice. Do not use apple cider vinegar. They are very different ingredients.
  • Don't have an ovenproof skillet, after browning the pork chops. Combine all ingredients in a casserole dish, cover, and bake.

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I am not a registered dietician but I try to give the most accurate nutritional information as possible. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chop | Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 372mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 33.8mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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O

Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to cook pork chops and sauerkraut? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). ...
  2. Rub pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides. ...
  3. Combine sauerkraut, apple, onion, brown sugar, and caraway seeds in a bowl; cover pork chops with the mixture. ...
  4. Bake pork chops in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 45 minutes.
Aug 22, 2022

Is it better to bake pork chops covered or uncovered? ›

Some baked pork chop recipes do require that the pan is covered with either foil or a lid. It creates steam and ensures that the meat is tender and juicy. Those recipes typically require a long cook time and may add vegetables to the pan, and some uncover the chops to finish browning them at a higher temperature.

What is the secret to making tender pork chops? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

What is the tradition of pork chops and sauerkraut? ›

Viel Glück!

Germans have been eating pork and sauerkraut on New Year's for generations because they believe it brings good luck (viel glück in German). As these kraut lovers immigrated to the Midwest, they brought their traditions with them, including this one.

Is it better to bake or pan fry pork chops? ›

While there are a number of ways to cook pork chops for dinner, baking is arguably the easiest path to perfection. The hands-off cooking method cooks pork chops gently and evenly without the need for extra fat, resulting in juicy, healthier pork chops that pair well with practically any side dish.

How long to bake pork chops at 350 degrees? ›

Directions
  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). ...
  2. Place pork chops in a baking pan. ...
  3. Season each chop with seasoning salt, garlic powder, and parsley. ...
  4. Bake in the preheated oven until pork is slightly pink in the center, about 35 minutes.
Aug 30, 2023

Is it better to bake pork chops at 350 or 400? ›

If you pick boneless just make sure you watch the pork chops so they don't overcook. I find that boneless pork chops can cook quicker and become dry easier. I suggest you cook them around the 375 degree temperature or even 400 for a crispier skin.

How do you keep pork chops from drying out when you bake them? ›

Try a Marinade or Brine. A marinade or brine can introduce more moisture or lots of flavor into your meat before you cook it. A marinade is a sauce that introduces extra flavor to your pork, depending on the aromatics or herbs you choose to include. A brine pulls more moisture into the meat, which keeps your pork juicy ...

How long do pork chops take to cook in the oven? ›

At 400 degrees F you can count on 7 to 8 minutes for each 1/2 inch of thickness your pork chops are. So, 3/4-inch-thick chops will take 10 to 12 minutes, 1-inch-thick cooks in 15 to 16 minutes, and so on.

What spices tenderize pork? ›

Brine the pork.

Brining involves soaking your meat in salt water to increase the tenderness and moistness of the final dish. Brines always contain salt and water, but can also include other ingredients for added flavor like apple cider, brown sugar, rosemary, and thyme.

Do pork chops get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

When should you eat pork and sauerkraut? ›

In case you haven't heard, it's tradition to eat pork and kraut on New Year's Eve at midnight, which technically means New Year's Day. Among the many traditions surrounding the coming of the New Year, this one is both tasty and easy to complete, unlike some of those tough resolutions.

Is pork and sauerkraut healthy? ›

Cabbage, the plentiful winter workhorse of a vegetable, became a perfect culinary pairing for pork. Made into sauerkraut, it was seen as a sign of longevity, wealth and happiness, and stored well for the entire winter. Sauerkraut is high in fiber, vitamins A and K, and boosts the immune system with energy and iron.

Do the Amish eat pork and sauerkraut? ›

Amish pork and sauerkraut is a staple meal in Central PA on New Year's Day. But where did the tradition come from? From understanding its history to tips and tricks on how to prepare it, this guide will make you a professional on Amish pork and sauerkraut and its deep-rooted tradition in the area.

What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out? ›

For juicy, flavorful pork chops, try brining the chops before grilling or broiling — two high-heat cooking methods that can quickly dry out lean pork chops. Brines are essentially salty, sugary water solutions; they'll keep the meat moist, while adding flavor.

What cooking method is best for pork chops? ›

A quick turn in a hot pan followed by a little time in the oven is another great way to cook pork chops. You build color and flavor in the skillet, then hand the cooking over to the oven, which gives you time to prep the rest of the meal.

Should I cook pork chops in butter or oil? ›

I use both! At the same time! The butter helps achieve that golden brown color and adds more flavor, but you need the oil, too, because it has a higher smoke point and keeps the butter from burning. How long do you cook pork chops in a frying pan?

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