Alright, let’s talk about makin’ some pork chops and sauerkraut in that there slow cooker. I ain’t no fancy chef, mind you, just a regular person who likes good food without all the fuss. This here recipe is simple as can be, even my old dog could probably figure it out, bless his heart.
First off, you gotta get yourself some pork chops. Don’t go gettin’ those thin little fellers, you want some nice, thick ones. You know, the kind that got some meat on ’em. I like the bone-in ones myself, they got more flavor, or so they say. And you’ll need a big ol’ jar or can of sauerkraut. Now, some folks like that fancy stuff with all the bells and whistles, but I just get the regular kind. It works just fine, trust me. You’ll also need a bit of water, and maybe some butter if you’re feelin’ fancy. But honestly, half the time I forget the butter and it still turns out alright.
So, here’s how I do it. I take that slow cooker, you know, the one that sits on the counter and does all the work for ya, and I dump in a little bit of water. Not too much, just enough to keep things from stickin’. Then, if I remember, I throw in a few chunks of butter. Just plop ’em right in there, don’t gotta be neat about it. Then I put in some of that sauerkraut, spread it around a bit on the bottom. Then I lay them pork chops right on top of that sauerkraut. Don’t just throw them in there all willy-nilly, lay ’em out nice so they cook even.
- Pork Chops – Get the thick ones, bone-in if you like.
- Sauerkraut – A big jar or can, regular kind is fine.
- Water – Just a bit, to keep things from stickin’.
- Butter – Optional, but adds a little somethin’ somethin’.
Now, you can add some potatoes if you want. I like to use them little baby potatoes, the red ones are my favorite. Just wash ’em up and toss ’em in around the pork chops. They soak up all that good flavor and get nice and soft. And if you’re feelin’ extra adventurous, you can throw in some onions or garlic too. Just chop ’em up and scatter ’em around. But honestly, most days I just stick to the pork chops, sauerkraut, and maybe some potatoes. Keep it simple, that’s my motto.
Once you got everything in the slow cooker, put the lid on and turn that sucker on low. Now, this is the important part, you gotta let it cook for a good long while. I usually let mine go for about six or seven hours. You want them pork chops to be nice and tender, fall-apart tender, you know? And that sauerkraut, it needs time to cook down and get all soft and flavorful. If you try to rush it, them pork chops will be tough and the sauerkraut will be crunchy, and nobody wants that.
Now, some folks, they like to cook their pork chops fast. They say you can do it in a pressure cooker in like 25 minutes. Well, I ain’t got no fancy pressure cooker, and I don’t trust it anyhow. I like to do things the old-fashioned way, low and slow. That’s how you get that real good flavor, the kind that sticks to your ribs and makes you feel all warm inside. And, listen, if you go low and slow, your pork chops will be so juicy, they’ll just melt in your mouth. Nobody wants dry pork chops, let me tell ya.
And speaking of sauerkraut, let me tell you somethin’ about that stuff. Back in the day, folks ate sauerkraut all winter long. It was good for ya, kept you healthy. Full of fiber and vitamins, or so they say. And it lasted forever, which was important back then when you couldn’t just run to the store whenever you wanted somethin’. Nowadays, we got all sorts of fancy vegetables, but I still like a good ol’ batch of sauerkraut. It’s got that tangy flavor that just goes so well with pork.
Anyways, after six or seven hours, them pork chops should be done. Just take a fork and see if they pull apart easy. If they do, you’re good to go. If not, let ’em cook a little longer. It ain’t rocket science, folks. Just use your common sense. And when they’re done, just scoop ’em out and serve ’em up. I like to eat mine with a side of mashed potatoes or maybe some cornbread. But honestly, they’re good enough to eat all on their own. So there you have it, my fool-proof recipe for crockpot pork chops and sauerkraut. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, as the kids say.
Now, go on and make yourself some. You won’t be sorry.
Tags: Slow Cooker, Pork Chops, Sauerkraut, Easy Recipe, Dinner, Comfort Food, Slow Cooking