This instant pork and sauerkraut recipe will become your favorite food to eat on New Year’s Day. It’s quick and easy to make, and it has plenty of flavor!
» You may also like the acorn-fed pumpkin with sausage filling and pasta with sausages and peppers.
Did you know that in Germany there is a tradition of eating pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day? It is believed that eating these foods brings good luck and prosperity in the new year. You might even be blessed with “as much kindness and money as the number of cabbage chunks in the sauerkraut pot,” 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 ate a lot of cabbage in various forms, including pork, but not on New Year’s Day.
Whether you’re serving this dish for
New Year’s so you can reap the rewards of superstition, or you’re just looking for a hearty, comforting dish to serve in fall or winter, you’ll 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.
» Looking for a sauerkraut-free roast pork recipe? We have one of those!
Why use an instant pot
What you’ll need
Pork roast – Here we are using a pork shoulder. This cut of meat really benefits from pressure cooking. It’s so tender. You can also use a pork leg or a pork loin. Cooking times will vary.
Salt and black pepper – Used to season roasting.
Cooking oil – The first step to cooking this roast is to brown the outside in sautéed 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 broth: The Instant Pot uses liquid to generate steam and help the pressurization process. Why use water when you can impart more flavor with broth or juice? Apple goes great with pork, that’s why we’re using apple juice in this recipe. The juice will also add some sweetness.
Rosemary – Fresh or dry both jobs. Just use what you have on hand.
Apple – Peeled and sliced. You can use any type of apple you have. While Granny Smith apples resist cooking better, you can think about using something a little sweeter like Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp.
Onion – Cut into pieces.
Carrot – Peeled and sliced.
How to Make
Pork and Sauerkraut
Pork and sauerkraut can be made through any method you want, be it Instant Pot, Crockpot, Stovetop, or Oven. The steps are the same for all methods. I like using the Instant Pot because it’s a much faster method of cooking, and it magically turns out perfect every time.
Whichever
method you choose, the only thing that will change is the cooking time
.
The first step is to seal all sides of the pork roast. If you’re using the Instant Pot, you can easily do it with the Skip feature, so you don’t have to use two pans. Otherwise, you can seal the meat on the stove, and then transfer it to the slow cooker or cooker.
Remove the roast from the Instant Pot. Place the apple juice or broth and whisk the bottom of the pan to remove the golden chunks (otherwise, your Instant Pot will start screaming “burn” when you try to turn it on).
Next, return the roast
pork to the instant pot, add the vegetables and apples around the edges and place the sauerkraut on top of the roast. Cook for 1 hour (for a 2-pound pork roast) in the pressure cook setting. Allow it to release pressure naturally.
If your pork roast is larger than 2 pounds, you may need to cook it longer. Once you have opened the lid, you can check the internal temperature of the meat [I use this instant reading thermometer]. It must be at least 165 degrees F. It should also be tender and easy to separate with a fork. If not, put the lid back on and put it on for another 10-30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to seal pork before cooking?
While not necessary for cooking, we highly recommend it. Burning the outside adds immense flavor to pork. It will also add flavor to the broth you use to deglaze the pot and use it for cooking. We like to use this tasty broth to make sauce to serve with the roast.
Why is sauerkraut a New Year’s tradition?
It is believed that eating these foods brings good luck and prosperity in the new year. You might even be blessed with “as much kindness and money as the number of cabbage chunks in the sauerkraut pot,” according to the German Food Guide.
How long is sauerkraut kept in the refrigerator?
It should stay cool for 4 to 6 months after opening if you are sealing it after each use. If it starts to smell or has a strange texture or color, throw it away immediately.
Related Articles:
- Easy Baked Baby Back Ribs
- BBQ Pork Belly Slices Recipe
- Is ButcherBox worth it? | ButcherBox Review 2021Do
you
like this recipe? We’d love for you to share it on your Pinterest board! Click to follow our Pinterest boards and you can find all our recipes
!
Instagram! If you try this recipe, tag it #AFoodLoversKitchen on Instagram or Twitter. We love seeing your photos of our recipes! Also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with what we’re cooking.
🥧 If you’re interested in more cool recipes, I’ll share all my favorite Instant Pot recipes at A Pressure Cooker Kitchen, air fryer recipes at Air Fry Anytime, and cocktails and drinks at Savored Sips. Check it out today!
PIN IT FOR LATER
