This Instant Pork & Sauerkraut recipe will become your favorite meal to eat on New Years day. It’s quick and easy to make, and has a ton of flavor!
Did you know that in Germany there’s a tradition of eating pork and sauerkraut on New Years day? Eating these foods is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. You might even be blessed with “as much goodness and money as the number of shreds of cabbage in the pot of Sauerkraut”, according to the German Food Guide.
I have to admit that I didn’t know about this tradition until I was an adult, even though I have German heritage. We did eat a lot of cabbage in various forms, even with pork, but not on New Years day.
Whether you’re serving this dish for New Years so you can reap the rewards of the superstition, or you’re just looking for a hearty and soul-warming dish to serve in fall or winter, you’re going to love this recipe.
You can make your own sauerkraut using this recipe. The health benefits of sauerkraut are immense, being a lacto-fermented vegetable. It doesn’t take anything but cabbage and salt to make it yourself, plus at least two weeks for the fermentation process.
That’s why I choose to use store-bought sauerkraut most of the time. If you can find one that you really like, then you can save a lot of time.
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. You can also check out our Instant Pot page for more information.
Pork roast – Here we are using a pork shoulder. This cut of meat really benefits from pressure cooking. It turns out so tender. You could use a pork leg or pork loin as well. Cooking times will vary.
Cooking oil – The first step to cooking this roast is to brown the outside on saute mode. This helps add great flavor.
Sauerkraut – You can make your own sauerkraut or use your favorite store bought brand. The health benefits of sauerkraut are immense, being a lacto-fermented vegetable. It is a good source of fiber and promotes digestive health.
Apple juice or chicken stock – The Instant Pot uses liquid to build steam and help the pressurizing process. Why use water when you can impart more flavor with broth or juice. Apple goes really well with pork so that is why we are using apple juice in this recipe. The juice will also add a bit of sweetness.
Apple – Peeled and sliced. You can use any kind of apple that you have. While Granny Smith apples hold up better to cooking you may think about using something a bit sweeter like a Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp.
Instant Pot Pork Chops & Sauerkraut
My husband has a strong German heritage and he LOVES sauerkraut! He likes sauerkraut warmed straight out of the jar with pork loin or sausage on top just like I shared in this simple pork and sauerkraut recipes, Pork & Sauerkraut Roll-Ups and cooked in Instant Pot Sauerkraut, Sausage & Potatoes.
This pork chop and sauerkraut recipe is sweeter and has a much more mild sauerkraut flavor that those of us who didn’t grow up eating fermented foods regularly can enjoy! Using the Instant Pot means everything can easily be made in a one-pot meal to save time and energy!
The bacon, apples, onions and carrots really add more flavor dimensions to the traditional pork and sauerkraut recipes. This is a great first recipe to try for people who are on the fence about whether to eat sauerkraut.
I love that my friend Chef Alli shared this recipe with me and she adapted it to be prepared in the Instant Pot.
Tips for Making Pork Chops in the Instant Pot
Step Two: Layer Ingredients
Once the meat is cut into chunks, this recipe is as easy as putting everything into the Instant pot and pressure cooking.
FAQ
Why are my pork chops tough in instant pot?
What side dish goes with pork chops and sauerkraut?