Gradual Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

Should you’re in search of a easy however deeply flavorful vacation meal, Pork and Sauerkraut within the sluggish cooker is the reply. That is a type of recipes that’s excellent for particular events due to how wonderful the outcomes are with minimal effort.

This 6-Level important is straightforward and hands-free, but the feel is so divine. We make some wholesome swaps to maintain factors down and the substances are easy and accessible. It’s one in every of our favourite Weight Watchers dinner recipes!

Why must you strive Pork and Sauerkraut within the Gradual Cooker?

• Straightforward Prep, Arms-Free Cooking: The very best of this Pork and Sauerkraut recipe is its simplicity. When you’ve layered the substances in your sluggish cooker, it’s hands-off for six to eight hours, leaving you free to deal with different vacation duties. This recipe shines at Thanksgiving or Christmas, particularly because it’s adaptable for a bigger pork roast or a number of smaller pork loins. Whereas this cooks, you may prep sides or enhance for company, making it a terrific stress-free important course.
• Excellent Gradual-Cooked Texture: Cooking pork within the sluggish cooker retains it juicy and tender with out drying it out. The low-and-slow technique caramelizes the pork’s exterior for a roasted, golden end whereas preserving the within juicy. That wealthy taste and texture give this dish a particular high quality, as if you happen to’d slow-roasted it within the oven for hours.
• Weight Watchers Pleasant: Whereas pork does have a couple of extra Weight Watchers factors than, say, hen breast, it’s undoubtedly a worthwhile deal with, and a small portion is just round 5 factors. This recipe is right for vacation meals while you’re in search of one thing hearty, filling, and a little bit extra particular.
• Basic Vacation Taste: Pork and sauerkraut is a basic consolation dish that’s particularly common throughout the colder months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Prepare dinner Time: 6-8 hours on low

Servings: 6

Serving Dimension: About 1 1/2 cups (roughly 300 g)

6 WW Factors Per Serving. You’ll be able to view the recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required.) 

Components

• 1 1/2 kilos pork loin (about 680 g)
• 2 cups yellow apple, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 2 giant apples or 300 g)
• 1 cup apple juice (240 ml)
• 4 cups sauerkraut, drained (450 g)
• 2 envelopes Splenda (or your most well-liked sweetener)
• 2 tablespoons vinegar (30 ml)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to style

Directions

1. Put together the Pork: Start by trimming any extra fats from the pork loin, as this can assist maintain the ultimate dish lean and cut back any undesirable greasiness. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper on all sides, urgent the seasonings in to make sure the flavour penetrates the meat throughout cooking.
2. Layer the Sauerkraut: Within the backside of your sluggish cooker, add the drained sauerkraut, spreading it out evenly to create a mattress for the pork. 
3. Add Apple and Sweetener: Prepare the apple slices on prime of the sauerkraut. Sprinkle the Splenda evenly over the apples to barely offset the sauerkraut’s acidity, balancing candy and tangy.
4. Add the Pork and Seasonings: Place the seasoned pork loin on prime of the sauerkraut and apples. Nestle the bay leaves across the pork for a light-weight natural word, then sprinkle the thyme over every thing. 
5. Pour in Apple Juice and Vinegar: Pour the apple juice and vinegar over the pork. Combine gently with a spoon, although the juices will mix naturally throughout cooking.
6. Set the Gradual Cooker: Cowl the sluggish cooker with its lid, set it to low, and let every thing prepare dinner for 6-8 hours.
7. Ultimate Touches and Serving: As soon as the pork has cooked totally (it’s best to be capable to simply shred it with a fork), examine the seasoning and alter if wanted. Take away the bay leaves earlier than serving.
8. Serve and Get pleasure from: Slice or shred the pork as desired, and serve alongside the sauerkraut and apple combination.

Variations and Substitutions for Pork and Sauerkraut

• Selecting Your Pork Minimize: Pork tenderloin or trimmed pork loin are best right here, as they’re lean and prepare dinner evenly. If you need one thing extra strong, a boneless pork shoulder can even work properly. For a lower-point choice, be sure you trim any seen fats.
• Fruits and Juices: Apple is a basic pairing with sauerkraut, however you may combine it up through the use of peach slices with peach juice. Or, if you happen to like a citrusy kick, oranges and recent orange juice add an acidic word that pairs properly with the tang of sauerkraut.
• Spice It Up: This recipe is flexible with spices. Rosemary, thyme, or herbes de Provence add a aromatic contact that enhances the pork’s pure flavors. You may also add a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a refined smoky word or perhaps a pinch of crushed pink pepper for warmth in case your company get pleasure from a little bit spice.

Suggestions and Methods for making Pork and Sauerkraut within the Gradual Cooker

• Trim the Fats: Step one is to take away as a lot seen fats from the pork as doable. This retains the dish gentle.
• Season Generously: Don’t skimp on salt and spices—pork advantages from a beneficiant dose of seasoning, because it permits the flavors to penetrate totally throughout the sluggish cooking course of. The sauerkraut additionally mellows out because it cooks, so be happy so as to add extra spices than you may usually use.
• Use recent substances when doable: Contemporary apples and pure, unsweetened apple juice add a greater taste than their processed counterparts. If recent juice isn’t out there, be sure that any canned or bottled alternate options are free from added sugars.
• Layer thoughtfully: Begin with a beneficiant layer of sauerkraut on the backside of the sluggish cooker; this creates a basis that enables the pork to prepare dinner evenly. Place the pork on prime and pour the apple juice over every thing to let the liquid steam up by the pork, including taste all through.
• Low and sluggish: Gradual cooking for a minimum of 6 hours brings out the very best taste and texture. You’ll be able to even prepare dinner on low for as much as 8 hours if you happen to’re utilizing a bigger lower of pork or favor a melt-in-your-mouth texture.