A delightfully savory, aromatic, and high protein lunch!
Pork Chops with Sauerkraut: aromatic, savory, and tender
When I make this meal, the whole house fills with the intoxicating aroma of pork and kraut. After four hours in the slow cooker, the pork and juices from the sauerkraut mix together to create a delightfully savory flavor.
Another thing I love about this meal is that I can use my home grown, homemade sauerkraut. At the end of this summer, I’ll do a detailed write up on how you can make your own sauerkraut. Even with store-bought cabbage, you’ll find it easy to make, crunchy, and flavorful.
A high protein lunch
A great way to stay satiated while dieting is to eat meals with high protein to calorie ratio. One pork chop with a healthy portion of sauerkraut offers 36 grams of protein for only around 210 calories. High protein food, combined with exercise, is also a great way to retain muscle mass while dieting.
To get through the work week, I portion out one pork chop and part of the sauerkraut into individual Tupperware. Then for lunch, I reheat it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes.
Make your own pork chops
If you want to save a few dollars and feel like a real butcher, try buying a pork loin and cutting your own pork chops. They’re the same cut of meat, and this way you can cut the pork chops to your desired thickness. I typically buy one, cut it into chops, and freeze them for later use.
By cutting your own chops, you’re free to remove all of the excess fat. This makes for a leaner cut of meat.
Ferment your own Sauerkraut
Every year we make a fresh batch of sauerkraut. Its a pretty easy process that’s hard to mess up and you only need a head of cabbage and some salt to do it. Check out my guide on how to make sauerkraut.
Let's start cooking
First, slice up some carrots and onions and set aside. They’ll add some color and flavor to the finished dish.
Salt and pepper your thawed pork chops on both sides. Be sure to press the ground pepper into the meat.
Heat a pan with oil on high heat. Sear both sides of the pork chops for 1-2 minutes on each side. We’re just trying to add some color and texture, not cook the meat through.
Add the sauerkraut, carrots, onion, and some minced garlic to the slow cooker and mix. Lay out the seared pork chops on top, pressing them slightly into the vegetable matter.
Close the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on high for four hours. Come back and enjoy 🙂
Recipe for Pork Chops with Sauerkraut
Pork Chops with Sauerkraut
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
- 1 Frying Pan
Ingredients
- 5 6oz pork chops
- 3-4 carrots
- 1 large onion
- 1½ tbsp minced garlic
- 1 quart Sauerkraut More or less as desired
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the carrots and onions. Set aside.
- Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops.
- Heat pan on high heat with oil. Sear pork chops for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Mix the vegetables and garlic in the slow cooker. Layer pork chops on top, pressing them into the vegetable mix.
- Cook on high for four hours.