Pork and Sauerkraut (German Pork Chops)

4.98 from 96 votes

This easy pork and sauerkraut recipe, aka German pork chops, is a delicious, cozy dinner your whole family will enjoy! It’s made with super simple, delicious ingredients — boneless pork chops, sauerkraut, potatoes, apples and caraway seeds, and baked in a Dutch oven for ultra tender pork and easy cleanup!

Pork Chops, Sauerkraut, apple and potatoes cooked in a dutch oven on a white marble board with large serving spoon.

Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe

I have really fond memories of my grandpa making this dish. I can still picture him in the kitchen on a Sunday evening, cooking and listening to a Perry Como tape. He didn’t cook all that often, Grandma was the chef of the family, but he had a few wonderful recipes up his sleeve! He also made Swedish meatballs, and that’s another recipe that always reminds me of him.

My grandpa made recipes his grandmother taught him, and now I make them to remember him. It makes me wonder, what dishes will my great-great-grandkids learn that were passed down by me?

So, I’ve decided to share this easy pork recipe with you too. This traditional dish holds so many memories for me, and I hope that you can create just as many fond memories in the kitchen. Whether you’re making it as an easy dinner or just for a little nostalgia, there are so many great flavors in this pork and sauerkraut recipe.

You don’t have to be a great cook to make the best pork ever. This quick recipe produces the most tender pork chops with minimal prep work. Your taste buds will thank you!

What Readers Are Saying

5 stars
Loved it, My father’s parents were from Germany it was not uncommon for us to have meals like this, loved it then. And still do.
Robert Warmke

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Make a wonderful pork chop dinner with this nostalgic and simple recipe. It’s been a go-to for many years now and will continue to stand the test of time:

  • This is a great recipe for meal prep since it stores and reheats well. Make a few extra servings to have for lunch or dinner during the week.
  • Pork and sauerkraut is Whole30 approved and Paleo friendly too. A wonderful meal when you have dietary restrictions.
  • The prep time for this dish is actually not too long. Then you’ll just pop them in the oven to bake to perfection.
The ingredients laid out on a white marble board: Russet potatoes, boneless pork chops on a white plate, a chopped apple, sauerkraut in a glass bowl, caraway seeds, and oil.

Ingredients

The simple ingredients in this recipe are fairly easy to come by in most grocery stores. Here’s the list of ingredients you need:

  • boneless pork chops: Try to get pork chops that aren’t too thick. You’ll want them to cook through all the way and stay juicy and tender.
  • apples: If you don’t have an apple handy, don’t worry! Swap a cup of apple sauce instead. I recommend using a sweet apple instead of a tart variety, like granny smith apples. Apples add a bit of sweetness to this dish that is irresistibly tasty.
  • onion: Dice up an onion and add it to this dish to elevate the flavor.
  • potatoes: Chop up some potatoes to cook with this yummy dish.
  • sauerkraut: It can be a little tricky finding Whole30 compliant sauerkraut. I like to use Eden Organics or Cleveland Kraut brand sauerkraut. Both are available at Walmart and Target and are made without preservatives. At Costco, Wildbrine is compliant.
  • caraway seeds: This is an important ingredient, so don’t skip the caraway seeds! They have an aromatic quality and a lovely anise flavor (think of the seeds in rye bread!) that works amazing with the sauerkraut and apples. If you don’t have them in your pantry already, you can find them in the spice aisle!

Substitutions and Variations

If you need to keep this dish low carb, feel free to omit the potatoes. You can make a low carb side dish instead.

This recipe works with many different cuts of pork. Pork tenderloin medallions would be tasty in this dish, and you can also use bone-in chop if you prefer. Just keep in mind that different cuts will cook differently.

Feel free to season up the pork chops with your favorite seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and salt are often my go-to’s for a little extra flavor.

A collage showing the process, step by step, of how to make the recipe. First brown the pork chops, then add the sauerkraut, the potatoes, and the  caraway seeds, then cover and bake!

How to Make German Pork and Sauerkraut

One of the best things about this German Pork Chops recipe is how much hands-off time there is!

Cooking pork chops and sauerkraut in the oven means the only real prep work you need to do is peeling and chopping the potatoes and apple. You can do that in advance, and then all you need to do is get the meal ready to go in the oven:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and then pat the pork chops dry on both sides with a paper towel.
  2. Heat a large dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, brown the pork chops on each side.
  3. Add the sauerkraut and then ad the diced apples, onions and potatoes.
  4. Sprinkle in the caraway seeds, cover and then bake in the oven for about an hour. Once the pork chops reach a safe internal temperature, remove them from the oven and allow to rest a few minutes before serving.
Close up of finished German Pork Chops cooked in the dutch oven.

How to Store Leftover Pork and Sauerkraut

Place leftovers into an airtight container and allow to cool completely. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. However, I do find that cooked potatoes typically have a funny texture after they are frozen and reheated.

Allow leftovers to thaw before reheating. To reheat, pop the pork chops into the oven until they reach a safe internal temperature.

What to Serve with Pork and Sauerkraut

While pork and sauerkraut is a one-pot meal, you can still pair some yummy side dishes with it! Air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus would be so tasty, as well as some air fryer frozen green beans. A tasty purple cabbage and carrot slaw would pack even more veggies into this dish!

Homemade German spaetzle would be so good as a side to pork and sauerkraut. They’re a traditional egg noodle that pairs wonderfully with the flavors of this dish.

Keep things low carb by omitting the potatoes and serving this dish with things like spaghetti squash or roasted air fryer baby carrots.

Tips for Success

Wonderful recipes, like this one, can still be a bit tricky at times. So check out these tips so that you can have the best results:

  • Use a high-quality sauerkraut for the best results. Not all sauerkraut is made with the best ingredients, so choose something with good ingredients or even make some homemade!
  • If you find that your food is sticking or there isn’t enough moisture in the dish while it cooks, you can add a splash of chicken broth of vegetable broth to create more moisture in the dutch oven.
  • ALWAYS brown the pork before adding the other ingredients and putting the dish in the oven. The browning process helps to lock moisture in the pork chops which will make them fork tender and fall-apart tasty!
A plated portion of the finished dish on a small gray plate.

FAQ

What is the tradition of sauerkraut?

Just like Americans like to eat black eyed peas and cabbage on New Year’s Day for good luck throughout the year, Germans eat pork and sauerkraut to bring good fortune. This German tradition is now widely used to celebrate a Happy New Year with a tasty meal!

Is sauerkraut and pork healthy?

Pork is a very lean meat and sauerkraut has loads of different health benefits, so yes, this meal is pretty healthy!

More Dinner Recipes

Making this recipe? I’d love to hear about your experience!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.

Finished Dish in a dutch oven with a large serving spoon.

Pork and Sauerkraut (German Pork Chops) – Whole30, Paleo

A simple one-pan meal with boneless pork chops, sauerkraut, potatoes, apples and caraway seeds.
4.98 from 96 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Laura Miner

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1.5 – 2 lb boneless pork chops about 1/2 inch thick
  • 2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 4-6 medium russet potatoes
  • 1 apple
  • 18 ounces sauerkraut undrained
  • 1 teaspoons caraway seeds
  • 1 onion optional

Video

Instructions

Do the Prep Work

  • Peel and dice the potatoes, apple, and onion, if using. Set them aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).

Brown the Pork Chops

  • While the oven preheats, pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel and season very lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a large dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
  • Add the oil. Once the oil is shimmering (about 1 minute), add the pork chops.
    Brown on each side for about 3 minutes per side. They should easily release once they're ready to be flipped.

Bake the Dish

  • Set the pork chops aside and add the saurkraut to the hot dutch oven. With a wooden spoon, gently scrape the bottom to deglaze it.
    Add the onion, potatoes and apples and then lay the pork chops on top. Sprinkle the caraway seeds.
  • Cover and bake in the oven for one hour. Remove the dutch oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve!

Notes

  • If you don’t have an apple, substitute 1 cup apple sauce.
  • The sauerkraut is usually pretty salty, so be careful about over seasoning the rest of the dish. I add no salt except for the tiny bit I use to season the pork chops. You can always add more! 
Slow Cooker Adaptation: Brown the pork chops in a skillet over medium heat, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the pork chops to the slow cooker and add all the ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 2.5-3 hours or until very tender.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pork chop | Calories: 554kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 937mg | Potassium: 1835mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 5mg
Did you try this recipe? Share it with us on Instagram! @cookathomemom!
Close up of finished dish in the dutch oven with the text "Whole30, Dutch Oven German Pork Chops" for Pinterest

4.98 from 96 votes (75 ratings without comment)

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55 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Loved it, My father’s parents were from germany it was not uncommon for us to have meals like this, loved it then. And still do.

  2. 5 stars
    Cheap, delicious, healthy, and filling! Served with mash potatoes. Subbed the caraway seeds for fennel seeds since I didn’t have any on hand- still pretty good! Can’t wait to make this again. Def a winter staple.

  3. 5 stars
    Bought my first Dutch Oven , was looking for something cook in it., and ran into this recipe…Made this tonite for my wife and me…It turned out delicious and my new Dutch Oven cleaned up very easily…Will definitely make this again…Hardest part was finding the caraway seeds, but I sure am glad I kept looking for them…Really added to the dish…Great dinner…Will look for other recipes to do in my DO…

    1. Hi! I prefer apples with a little tartness like Granny Smith or Braeburn, but I’ve used gala and honey crisp for a sweeter, milder flavor. You can use whatever you have or whatever you prefer. 🙂 -Laura

    2. 5 stars
      Foolproof and delicious! So simple you can’t go wrong. Growing up my mother used to make this dish for our family. We all loved it, great flavor!

      I prefer an apple that’s on the sweeter side. I’ve used unsweetened applesauce with terrific results as well. I omit the onion due to IBS and I don’t miss it at all.

  4. 5 stars
    I made this in an 8-lb Reynold’s cooking bag. I didn’t brown the meat first. Otherwise, followed the recipe, even oiled and then seasoned the pork. The pork loin chops browned nicely in the cooking bag. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!

    1. Hi Giselle, I’m so glad you loved the recipe! Thanks for the helpful feedback! 🙂 -Laura