This easy recipe combines apples, pork roast and sauerkraut in the crock pot for a tasty dinner that takes just minutes to prepare. My family loves it for the tasty combination of flavors, I love it because it is a simple “throw and go” recipe for the slow cooker.
One Groovy Baby
I am a 70’s baby and grew up watching Brady Bunch reruns. My older brother and I snuck them in while my mom was at school preparing her classroom for the next school day. We weren’t exactly latch-key kids since my mom taught at the elementary school we attended, but we did get an hour of precious unsupervised time between our bus drop off time and her arrival home.
Somewhere in our groovy wallpapered kitchen there was something simmering for dinner (in an orange and brown crock pot no less — you gotta love the 70s decor palette) while we watched the limited kids’ programming that was on between the end of the school day and the 5 p.m. news. My mom is a slow cooker pro and always seemed to plan ahead for home cooked dinners.
Pork and Apples
I don’t have a groovy orange slow cooker , but I am reminded of the Brady Bunch, specifically Peter Brady saying, “pork chops and apple sauce,” whenever I make this pork and apple recipe in my crock pot. (The things that stick in my head are crazy!)
The combination of apple and pork is perfect for fall; the leaves are changing, apples are ready to pick, and heartier meals begin to sound tempting for dinner. Plus, this crock pot recipe is no fail… just toss in the ingredients and go.
Throw and Go Crock Pot Recipes
I love my slow cooker (like mother, like daughter), but I am picky about the meals I prepare in it. They have to be “throw and go” to win my approval. This means tossing in a few easy ingredients as I run out of the house. There is no time for browning or fussy preparations in my morning schedule.
This recipe gets a thumbs up from each member of our family. The pork is tender and juicy, the apples are sweet, and the sauerkraut perfectly rounds out the flavors because it is loaded with umami. If you aren’t familiar, umami is considered by many to be the fifth taste element (in addition to sour, sweet, salty, and bitter).
Pork Roast and Sauerkraut in the Crock Pot
Don’t be scared of the sauerkraut in this recipe. it is not the prominent flavor of the dish. Even my son, who hates sauerkraut, loves it in this dish. The apples and onions combine with the fermented cabbage to make a uniquely appealing side dish for the pork, plus is provides a salt, rich broth for cooking the dish.
I serve our pork and apples with boiled new potatoes and a green vegetable for a perfect dinner that is a cinch to make… even on busy days.
Substitutions and Adjustments
- This recipe can be made with a pork roast, a pork loin, or thick cut boneless pork chops. Make sure you have at least 3 pounds of pork for the indicated cook time.
- Please note that different slow cookers cook at different temperatures, if your slow cooker cooks fast or slow you will need to adjust the cooking time.
- The apples in this recipe will cook down to an applesauce consistency if left the crock pot for the entire cooking time. If you would like the apples to be more firm add them to the slow cooker about 3 hours before serving (low setting) or 1.5 hours before serving (high setting).
- My kids can’t get enough cooked apples with this recipe. I slice a few additional apples and microwave them until soft (3 minutes on high) to serve as an additional side dish.
Apples, Pork Roast and Sauerkraut in the Crock Pot
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Total Time: 490 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy recipe combines apples, pork roast and sauerkraut in the crock pot for a tasty dinner that takes just minutes to prepare. My family loves it for the tasty combination of flavors, I love it because it is a simple “throw and go” recipe for the slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 3 lb boneless pork loin roast or boneless pork chops
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (optional)
- 2 pieces small onion (cut in half and sliced ½ inch thick (about 2 cups)
- 32 ounce jar of sauerkraut (with or without caraway seeds)
- 4–5 pieces large apples (cored and cut into 8 (about 6 cups)
Instructions
- Grease inside of slow cooker with oil for easier clean up, if desired. Place roast in slow cooker.
- Cover roast with sliced onions, partially separating slices.
- Cover onions with sauerkraut, use entire jar including all liquid.
- Cover sauerkraut with apples.
- Cover slow cooker with lid and cook pork on the low setting 7 to 8 hours (high for 4-5 hours) or until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145° F. – 160° F and apples are tender. Please note that slow cookers can cook at different temperatures, if your cooks fast or slow adjust cooking time as needed.
- Remove pork from crock pot and slice. Serve pork with new potatoes, sauerkraut, and apples.
Notes
The apples will cook down to an applesauce consistency if left the crock pot for the entire cooking time. If you would like the apples to be more firm add them to the slow cooker about 3 hours before serving (low setting) or 1.5 hours before serving (high setting).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe
- Calories: 294
Keywords: apples pork and sauerkraut, crock pot pork and sauerkraut
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes
I love crock pot dinners that require little to no prep. They are perfect for busy days and help keep healthy eating on track.
Try these other easy crock pot recipes that are sue to become family favorites:
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Stephanie
I love a good slow cooker recipe!! Thanks!
★★★★★
Bren
Thanks!
Taylor - Lights Camera Catwalk
Yum, sounds so good!
Xx Taylor
Bren
Thanks, Taylor!