Sluggish Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut

In the event you’re searching for a easy however deeply flavorful vacation meal, Pork and Sauerkraut within the gradual cooker is the reply. That is a type of recipes that’s good for particular events due to how superb the outcomes are with minimal effort.

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

Why do you have to attempt Pork and Sauerkraut within the Sluggish Cooker?

• Simple Prep, Fingers-Free Cooking: The most effective of this Pork and Sauerkraut recipe is its simplicity. When you’ve layered the elements in your gradual 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 enhance for company, making it an incredible stress-free predominant course.
• Good Sluggish-Cooked Texture: Cooking pork within the gradual cooker retains it juicy and tender with out drying it out. The low-and-slow methodology caramelizes the pork’s exterior for a roasted, golden end whereas retaining the within juicy. That wealthy taste and texture give this dish a particular high quality, as when you’d slow-roasted it within the oven for hours.
• Weight Watchers Pleasant: Whereas pork does have a number of extra Weight Watchers factors than, say, rooster breast, it’s positively a worthwhile deal with, and a small portion is barely round 5 factors. This recipe is right for vacation meals while you’re searching for one thing hearty, filling, and just a little extra particular.
• Traditional Vacation Taste: Pork and sauerkraut is a basic consolation dish that’s particularly in style in the course of 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 possibly can view the recipe on the WW App right 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 it will 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 gradual 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 light-weight natural notice, 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 gradual cooker with its lid, set it to low, and let every little thing cook dinner for 6-8 hours.
7. Last 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 Minimize: Pork tenderloin or trimmed pork loin are very best right here, as they’re lean and cook dinner evenly. If you’d like one thing extra strong, a boneless pork shoulder may work nicely. For a lower-point possibility, make sure 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, when you like a citrusy kick, oranges and recent orange juice add an acidic notice 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 too can add a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a delicate smoky notice or perhaps a pinch of crushed purple pepper for warmth in case your company take pleasure in just a little spice.

Suggestions and Methods 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 attainable. This retains the dish mild.
• Season Generously: Don’t skimp on salt and spices—pork advantages from a beneficiant dose of seasoning, because it permits the flavors to penetrate absolutely in the course of the gradual cooking course of. The sauerkraut additionally mellows out because it cooks, so be at liberty so as to add extra spices than you may usually use.
• Use recent elements when attainable: Contemporary apples and pure, unsweetened apple juice add a greater taste than their processed counterparts. If recent juice isn’t accessible, be sure any canned or bottled options are free from added sugars.
• Layer thoughtfully: Begin with a beneficiant layer of sauerkraut on the backside of the gradual cooker; this creates a basis that permits the pork to cook dinner evenly. Place the pork on high and pour the apple juice over every little thing to let the liquid steam up by means of the pork, including taste all through.
• Low and gradual: Sluggish cooking for at the least 6 hours brings out one of the best taste and texture. You possibly can even cook dinner on low for as much as 8 hours when you’re utilizing a bigger reduce of pork or favor a melt-in-your-mouth texture.