Sluggish Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

For those who’re on the lookout for 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 good for particular events due to how wonderful the outcomes are with minimal effort.

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

Why must you attempt Pork and Sauerkraut within the Sluggish Cooker?

• Simple Prep, Palms-Free Cooking: One of the best of this Pork and Sauerkraut recipe is its simplicity. When you’ve layered the components in your sluggish cooker, it’s hands-off for six to eight hours, leaving you free to sort out 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 possibly can prep sides or embellish for company, making it an ideal stress-free principal course.
• Good Sluggish-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 should you’d slow-roasted it within the oven for hours.
• Weight Watchers Pleasant: Whereas pork does have just a few extra Weight Watchers factors than, say, hen breast, it’s positively a worthwhile deal with, and a small portion is just round 5 factors. This recipe is good for vacation meals whenever you’re on the lookout for one thing hearty, filling, and a bit extra particular.
• Traditional Vacation Taste: Pork and sauerkraut is a basic consolation dish that’s particularly standard in the course of the colder months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Prepare dinner Time: 6-8 hours on low

Servings: 6

Serving Measurement: 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.) 

Elements

• 1 1/2 kilos pork loin (about 680 g)
• 2 cups yellow apple, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 2 massive apples or 300 g)
• 1 cup apple juice (240 ml)
• 4 cups sauerkraut, drained (450 g)
• 2 envelopes Splenda (or your most popular 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 hold 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 high 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 high of the sauerkraut and apples. Nestle the bay leaves across the pork for a lightweight natural be aware, then sprinkle the thyme over every little 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 Sluggish Cooker: Cowl the sluggish cooker with its lid, set it to low, and let every little thing prepare dinner for 6-8 hours.
7. Ultimate Touches and Serving: As soon as the pork has cooked completely (it is best to be capable to simply shred it with a fork), verify the seasoning and regulate 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 Reduce: Pork tenderloin or trimmed pork loin are superb right here, as they’re lean and prepare dinner evenly. If you’d like one thing extra sturdy, a boneless pork shoulder may work nicely. For a lower-point possibility, you’ll want to trim any seen fats.
• Fruits and Juices: Apple is a basic pairing with sauerkraut, however you possibly can combine it up by utilizing peach slices with peach juice. Or, should you like a citrusy kick, oranges and contemporary orange juice add an acidic be aware that pairs nicely 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 as well add a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a delicate smoky be aware or perhaps a pinch of crushed purple pepper for warmth in case your company take pleasure in a bit spice.

Ideas and Tips for making Pork and Sauerkraut within the Sluggish 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 in the course of the sluggish cooking course of. The sauerkraut additionally mellows out because it cooks, so be happy so as to add extra spices than you would possibly usually use.
• Use contemporary components when doable: Recent apples and pure, unsweetened apple juice add a greater taste than their processed counterparts. If contemporary juice isn’t accessible, be certain that any canned or bottled 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 high and pour the apple juice over every little thing to let the liquid steam up by the pork, including taste all through.
• Low and sluggish: Sluggish cooking for not less than 6 hours brings out one of the best taste and texture. You’ll be able to even prepare dinner on low for as much as 8 hours should you’re utilizing a bigger minimize of pork or favor a melt-in-your-mouth texture.