I received a free copy of David Venable’s new cookbook, Back Around the Table
, but I was not otherwise compensated for this post. (This post contains affiliate links.)
Get ready for a deliciously easy take on Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Sauerkraut, a traditional Amish New Year’s meal! This version features apples too for a sweet and sour taste you’ll love
Remember when I shared Skinny Fried Chicken from David Venable’s new book recently? Judging by your response, I’m not the only fan of David and QVC! I got permission to share one other recipe I tried from his book that I think you will really love. It’s a slow cooker dish with pork chops, apples, and sauerkraut. While it may not be the fanciest looking dinner, it tastes amazing!
David explains in the intro for this recipe that it’s his spin on a traditional Amish New Year’s dinner. Not only I was excited to try it just based on the ingredients, it also seemed like the perfect time to share it with you since the end of the year is fast approaching!
I can’t even believe we’re heading into 2015 so soon. Parenthood really changes the way you look at time. In some ways, days or phases your kids go through can seem to last forever. If your toddler is in a screaming phase or your 7-year-old is in a talking back phase, it can feel like time is standing still while you wait for them to grow out of it. At the same time, you look at these little people and wonder how they got so big so fast. It seems like a lifetime ago that I wasn’t a mother, but it seems like yesterday that my now 8-year-old was making macaroni art at preschool.
While you are celebrating the new year and reflecting on time past, why not eat some pork chops? These chops are tender and smothered in pickled cabbage, apples, and onions with just the right balance of sweet and sour. There are potatoes in the mix too, so you don’t even need to make mashed potatoes or rice. Serve this hearty meal up with your favorite green vegetable, and you’ll be starting the new year off right!
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Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Sauerkraut, Apples, and Potatoes
This is David’s spin on a traditional Amish New Year’s meal. Find this and more comfort food recipes in his book: Back Around the Table: An “In the Kitchen with David” Cookbook from QVC’s Resident Foodie
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 6–8 red potatoes cut into 2-inch chunks
- 2 c. apple juice or apple cider
- 32 oz. jar of sauerkraut drained
- 3 tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
- 3 tbsp. whole grain Dijon mustard
- 2 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch slices
- 2 Gala apples peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch slices
- 4–6 3/4-inch thick pork chops on the bone
- 4 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp. canola oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large onion sliced
Instructions
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Put the potatoes and apple juice in the slow cooker. Mix together the sauerkraut, brown sugar, mustard, and apples in a large bowl, and toss well. Place half of this mixture on top of the potatoes and apple juice.
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To prevent the edges of the pork chops from curling, cut two 1-inch slits at each end. Season the chops with 2 tsp. of the salt and 1 tsp. of the pepper. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat. Once the oil is smoking, sear the chops, 30 to 40 seconds on each side. Put the chops on top of the apple-sauerkraut mixture in the slow cooker. Tuck the bay leaves around the chops.
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Add the onions to the skillet. Season with remaining 2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Saute the onions until they start to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Put the onions on top fo the pork chops. Top with the remaining apple-sauerkraut mixture.
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Cover and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours. Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving.
Notes
You can skip the skillet step and put the pork chops and onions directly into the crockpot uncooked if you are short on time. (That’s what I did.)
You can also cook this on low for 8-10 hours.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 360
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Amish
Looking for more slow cooker pork recipes? You’ll love these too!
Bridget says
This recipe sounded interesting, even a bit odd… But I had all the ingredients on hand and tried it. Really Delicious blend of flavors. Will be making it again. I’m also going to check out your other recipes!
Mark P says
This reminded me of a recipe my mom used to make (without the juice and mustard). She baked hers. So I thought I’d give this a try. It’s good. I cooked it for 5 hours on high which may have been a bit too long. The apples and kraut were overcooked and soggy. Next time I might try cooking this on low and reducing/eliminating the juice. But I’d definitely make it again…or add the mustard to mom’s recipe and bake it!
Thanks for bringing back a tasty recipe from my childhood!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I have been craving sauerkraut. I’ve never done it in the slow cooker, but this sounds like the way to go for me. My Swedish friend traditionally serves this for Xmas eve.
Andi says
What did you eat for Christmas Eve? We had red beans and rice. I hope you are enjoying the holiday, Carol! Merry Christmas!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
This looks like a delicious dish, and I love that it is just for New Year’s! What a fun way to celebrate! I can’t believe how fast this year flew by. I hope you have a great weekend!
Andi says
Thanks, Cate. I can’t believe that it’s already the end of the year either! Hope you have a good holiday!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
That looks so good Andi! His cookbook really does sound so great!
Andi says
Thank you, Jaren!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Another recipe from that book?! I definitely need to get my hands on it!
Andi says
I know! I was excited to get the OK to share this one too because it’s really tasty! Thanks, Meg :)