The combination of tender pork chops and tangy sauerkraut never disappoints. Pork Chops and Sauerkraut (German Pork Chops) is an incredibly easy recipe to make. Everything simmers on the stove in one large skillet.
If your family loves classic comfort food like Homemade Meatloaf or Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel, they'll love this recipe too!
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⭐ Why You'll Love Pork Chops and Sauerkraut
If ever there was a recipe suited for simmering on the stove, it's this one.
Pork Chops and Sauerkraut just get better and better as sliced apples cook and soften while the pork chops cook. The natural sweetness of pork complements the tanginess of sauerkraut and results in a classic taste.
It cooks in one large skillet or Dutch Oven on the stovetop.
Much like a hearty homemade Beef Stew with Guinness, all the work takes place in one pan. Hardly any dishes to clean!
🥘 Ingredients to Have on Hand
Bone-in Pork Chops are best for this recipe, although you can use other cuts of pork.
Pro Tip: I prefer bone-in pork chops because the bone adds great flavor and helps keep the pork chop moist while it cooks.
Sauerkraut is a must for this recipe. Use whichever brand or variety you prefer. You can find sauerkraut in cans or jars, usually on the canned vegetable aisle in the grocery store.
Granny Smith Apples are wonderful in this recipe, but you can use any variety of baking apples like Gala or Fuji. Scroll down to the recipe FAQs for more options. If you buy a few extras, be sure to make this Easy Fresh Apple Cake for dessert.
Beer adds incredible flavor to the sauce and the bubbles in the beer can help tenderize the pork chops. Don't worry if you aren't a fan of beer (I'm not either) adding beer to pork chops and sauerkraut just enhances the flavor and it tastes nothing like drinking a glass of beer.
Scroll to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
🥩 How to Cook Pork Chops and Sauerkraut
There's a secret to the pork chops cooking to fork-tender perfection. Plenty of time, plenty of moisture.
Step 1: Start by melting butter in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and brown them on both sides. Take the pork chops out of the pan, place them on a plate and cover with foil to keep them warm.
Step 2: Add the sauerkraut to the same pan and stir-fry it for a few minutes in the hot butter and the drippings from the pork chops. Stir in the beer and sour cream and stir it over medium heat for a few minutes.
Step 3: Place the browned pork chops back in the pan and spoon some of the sauerkraut mixture on top of each pork chop.
Step 4: Slice the Granny Smith apples and arrange several slices on top of each pork chop. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top of each chop and a very light dusting of paprika and cinnamon.
Step 5: Adjust the heat to medium-low, cover the pan and let the pork chops simmer for 45-50 minutes or until the apples are soft and the pork chops are fork-tender.
Pro Tip: It's not often that we cook with apples in a savory recipe, but the moisture from the apples makes a big difference in pork chops and sauerkraut, plus they add a subtle sweetness to the dish.
The kraut adds moisture too, plus that distinctive texture and taste.
💭 Recipe FAQs
I've only made Pork Chops and Sauerkraut (German Pork Chops) using beer, even though I'm not a beer drinker. The flavor of the beer is very subtle. But you can replace it ounce-for-ounce with chicken broth, beef broth, mushroom broth, white grape juice, or ginger ale.
Boneless pork chops or thin slices or pork tenderloin are also delicious in this recipe. 
A cooking or baking variety of apples will work best because it will soften nicely while the chops simmer and taste delicious after cooking. Granny Smith apples are hands-down the best in this recipe, but Fuji, Honeycrisp or Gala apples are also delicious.
🍽 What to Serve with Pork Chops and Sauerkraut
This is such classic, cozy comfort food. It's also quite versatile when it comes to what goes great with it. Here are some of my favorites!
Caramelized Onions: Slow-cooked caramelized onions add a sweet and savory flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. Cut a sweet onion into thin slices toss them with olive oil and cook in a skillet until softened.
Potatoes: Of course as an Idaho food blogger I'm always looking for ways to add our famous export to any meal. Pork Chops and Sauerkraut is delicous with potatoes. Mashed or baked potatoes are perfect with this recipe. Check out Twice Baked Potatoes for details on how to bake perfect potatoes.
Coleslaw: A light, refreshing crispy coleslaw provides a crunchy, tangy contrast to the richness of the pork and sauerkraut. My cole slaw recipe includes fennel for a unique, fresh flavor to a classic side dish.
Mustard: Dijon or whole-grain mustard is a tasty condiment to serve with pork chops. It adds a zest kick to each bite.
Biscuits: Tender and buttery homemade biscuits are wonderful with this recipe. Make them from scratch while the pork chops simmer.
👩🏻🍳 Other Dinner Ideas
Here are a few more ideas to serve at dinnertime. Each one is tried and true!
📋 The Inspiration
This recipe was adapted from one in The Great American Outdoors Cookbook, It's a treasure trove of wonderful recipes and shared with me by my friend Melissa.
If you tried Pork Chops and Sauerkraut or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.
Recipe
Lisa K. says
Have you ever made this is a slow cooker? I'm thinking of trying it...
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Lisa! I’ve never made this recipe in a slow cooker. My only concern is the sour cream. Perhaps it could be stirred in during the last 30 minutes or so? Please keep me posted here in the comments if you try it.
Sarah Baumeister says
Delicious. I am always looking for more ways to use sauerkraut and I love that you added apples.