Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Potatoes and Sauerkraut

Pork chops and sauerkraut is a popular German dish, my version cooks in a slow cooker & adds potatoes turning it into an easy complete meal.

As with all slow cooker dishes, this recipe takes a while to make, but it is easy, all you need to do is sear off the pork chops, then throw it all in the crockpot and wait for dinner to be ready!

Crockpot Pork and Sauerkraut

I love cooking and eating pork chops and they appear here in many guises!

I’ve got everything from French-influenced Normandy pork chops to Chinese takeaway inspired sweet and sour pork chops and adobo pork chops with Filipino influences and pork chops with a cider and blackberry sauce from much closer to home!

My latest dish hails from Germany and it is a delicious slow cooker pork chops and sauerkraut recipe. This version adds some potatoes into the mix to create a hearty and fairly complete meal.

It’s a traditional New Year’s meal in Germany and parts of the US that have a strong German diaspora. It is even meant to bring good luck!

The acidic and salty tones are wonderful with the pork chop which almost “steams” in this version.

It delivers pork chops that are wonderfully cooked, and despite the long cooking time, it is an easy and low-maintenance recipe to cook.

Preparation is limited to cutting potatoes into bite-sized pieces, boiling the kettle to make some stock and searing off the pork chops. Then everything gets layered up in the crockpot and you walk away for a few hours!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave the rind on the pork chops?

You can, but it will never crisp up and will be kind of gelatinous. Some people like that texture, and I am one of them, but it is not quite right in this recipe.

What type of pork chops do you use?

I try and make this recipe with centre-cut pork loin chops with a nice bit of fat. You want them thickly cut, around 25-35mm 1-1½” if possible.

I usually try and buy my pork chops from a butcher, supermarket pork is so often disappointing.

Can I use boneless pork chops?

You can, although they are not my favourite in this recipe. If you take this approach, try and find some chops with a little bit of fat.

Where can I find caraway seeds?

Caraway seeds are relatively commonly available in the UK and are usually in the herbs and spices section of the supermarket.

Don’t worry about having them knocking around in the cupboard for ages, they are a common staple in Central European food.

I use them in dishes like my rakott kaposzta, wild boar stew and Hungarian gulyásleves (goulash).

Serving Suggestions

The slow cooker pork chops and sauerkraut recipe is perfectly capable of being a complete and hearty meal on its own.

However, I do like to serve it with some form of green vegetables, let’s face it, it is all a bit “beige” and we do eat with our eyes too!

In the pictures on this page I have served it with some simply cooked fine beans, although my green beans amandine recipe work well too.

You could also omit the potatoes and serve it with mashed potato. It is delicious, but it makes dinner a little more onerous.

Another favourite side of mine that would work equally well is some roasted tenderstem broccoli. I would not fire up the oven just for this, but it can be cooked in and air fryer.

I also like to add a couple of slices of bread, I love scooping up the wonderful sauerkraut with some nice sourdough.

Equipment Used

I only mention specific brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Hob/Stovetop.
• 28cm or 11″ frying pan, not nonstick if possible.
• 3.5-4 Litre Slow Cooker.
• Kitchen tongs.
• Chopping board.
• Kitchen knife.
• A combination of weighing scales, a measuring jug, cups and spoons.

Pork Chops and Sauerkraut Step-by-Step Photos

1. Start by preparing your pork chops and seasoning them, then sear them in the hot frying pan with a little oil until brown on all sides. Be sure to spend time on the fatty edge of the pork.
   
2. Remove the pork chops from the frying pan and pour out most of the oil then deglaze the pan with chicken stock.
   
3. Add the prepared potatoes to the crock pot, and arrange in a single layer.
   
4. Pour the chicken stock from the frying pan into the slow cooker.
   
5. Spread half the sauerkraut over the potatoes.
   
6. Sprinkle with half the caraway seeds.
   
7. Add the browned pork chops.
   
8. Sprinkle the final half of the caraway seeds, then cover with the rest of the sauerkraut, add the lid and cook for 3-4 hours on low.
   
9. Serve with a little of the sauce.