Transylvanian Garlic Pork and Cabbage Salad
A bold Romanian-inspired salad with smoky garlic pork, tangy sauerkraut, and a creamy sour cream dressing. This romanian-inspired salads ready in about 60 minutes pairs pork shoulder, sauerkraut, sour cream into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pork shoulder
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp dill
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup red onion
- 1/2 cup celery
Instructions
- Step 1: In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup diced red onion, and 1/2 cup chopped celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 8 oz pork shoulder, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces, and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned and nearly cooked through. Stir in 1 tsp paprika and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups sauerkraut, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp chopped dill, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix well.
- Step 4: Layer pork and sauerkraut mixture onto a serving platter, garnishing with dill sprigs.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Transylvanian Garlic Pork and Cabbage Salad take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Transylvanian Garlic Pork and Cabbage Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Transylvanian Garlic Pork and Cabbage Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Transylvanian Garlic Pork and Cabbage Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Transylvanian Garlic Pork and Cabbage Salad?
Romanian salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
