Whole30 Crockpot Pork with Saurkraut and Apples

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory-sweet pork shoulder dish slow-cooked with tangy sauerkraut, sweet apples, and aromatic herbs for a tender, flavorful Whole30 meal. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, sauerkraut, medium Honeycrisp apples for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 American cuisine 620 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Dice 1 medium onion and mince 3 garlic cloves, spreading them evenly in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: Place 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic, then evenly spread 1 cup drained sauerkraut, 2 diced Honeycrisp apples, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, and 1/4 tsp black pepper over the pork.
  3. Step 3: Pour 1/4 cup chicken broth around the edges of the slow cooker, secure the lid, and cook on LOW for 8 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Whole30 Crockpot Pork with Saurkraut and Apples take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Whole30 Crockpot Pork with Saurkraut and Apples?

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 Whole30 Crockpot Pork with Saurkraut and Apples?

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 Whole30 Crockpot Pork with Saurkraut and Apples 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.

Is Whole30 Crockpot Pork with Saurkraut and Apples whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes