Pork Chop and Sauerkraut Bake

Pork Chop Sauerkraut Bake

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 75 mins
Total: 95 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Sauerkraut and applesauce complement these pork chops with bold flavors, and it's an easy recipe to prepare and bake. Use good-quality refrigerated sauerkraut if possible, and if you have several apples, you might consider making homemade applesauce the day before. See the tips for easy directions for homemade applesauce from your slow cooker.

The caraway seeds add complementary flavor but feel free to omit them if you aren't a fan. Another ingredient that goes well with pork and apples is fennel. Slice a fennel bulb thinly and add it to the skillet along with the onion. Add a thinly sliced apple to the skillet if you'd like some fresh apple flavor and texture. For additional color (and flavor), add matchstick or thinly sliced carrots to the skillet with the onion. 

The recipe calls for bone-in pork chops, but boneless chops are fine. Meaty country-style pork ribs are excellent in the dish as well.

Serve the pork chops and sauerkraut with potatoes or spaetzle and a side dish casserole or salad. Sliced fresh tomatoes are great if they're in season. Or serve the dish with fried apples and steamed green beans

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in center-cut pork chops

  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 large onion

  • 1 pound sauerkraut, drained

  • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds, optional

  • 1 cup applesauce (with cinnamon, if desired)

  • 3/4 cup apple juice, chicken stock, or water

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, optional garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a shallow 2 1/2- to a 3-quart baking dish.

  3. Sprinkle the pork chops lightly with kosher salt and black pepper.

  4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the pork chops in the hot oil for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning to brown both sides. Remove the pork chops to a plate and set aside.

  5. Peel the onion and cut it in half lengthwise. Cut the onion halves crosswise into thin slices.

  6. Add the onion slices to the same skillet and cook, stirring, until the onion has softened and is lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

  7. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the sauerkraut, caraway seeds, applesauce, and apple juice. Spoon the sauerkraut mixture into the prepared baking dish. Arrange the pork chops on the sauerkraut and then top them with the browned onion.

  8. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

  9. Uncover the baking dish and bake for about 10 minutes longer, or until the pork chops are tender.

  10. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or dill, if desired.

Tips

  • Refrigerated sauerkraut in jars or pouches is usually the best quality. These are sometimes found near the deli. Shelf-stable canned sauerkraut is pasteurized, killing the beneficial bacteria and vitamin C; the flavor may be there, but many of the benefits are lost in the process.
  • To make homemade applesauce, peel, core, and dice about 12 cooking apples. Combine the apples in the slow cooker with 1/2 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, if desired, and about 3/4 cup of sugar.  Cover and cook the applesauce on low for about 8 to 10 hours. Use 1 cup of the applesauce in the pork chop recipe and refrigerate the rest to use in desserts.

Why are pork and sauerkraut a traditional meal on New Year's Day?

In Eastern Europe, pork and sauerkraut have been the traditional meal for many generations to enjoy on New Year's Day because they believe it brings good luck and prosperity for the year. A similar tradition in the southern U.S. is eating black-eyed peas and collard greens. 

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
227 Calories
10g Fat
25g Carbs
12g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 227
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 33mg 11%
Sodium 813mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 37mg 186%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 483mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)