Whole30 Crockpot Pork with Saurkraut and Apples
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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup sauerkraut
- 2 medium Honeycrisp apples
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice 1 medium onion and mince 3 garlic cloves, spreading them evenly in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
