Flavorful pork and sauerkraut becomes fork tender and is a fast, easy meal to make in the Instant Pot.
Adding ingredients like apples, potatoes, onions, bacon and onions is stress free when pressure cooking.
Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe
Pork chops and sauerkraut are a classic recipe and the only ingredients needed to make this traditional recipe. This Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut with apples and bacon is an easy way to take this recipe up a notch with great added flavors!
My husband has a strong German heritage and he LOVES sauerkraut! He likes sauerkraut warmed straight out of the jar with pork loin or sausage on top just like I shared in this simple pork and sauerkraut recipes, Pork & Sauerkraut Roll-Ups and cooked in Instant Pot Sauerkraut, Sausage & Potatoes.
Keep it simple with traditional pork and sauerkraut cooked in the Instant Pot alone or add apples, your favorite veggies and bacon for more color and flavor.
We like to use pork chops because they cook so quickly. Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are another great option that cooks in a similar amount of time.
Pork shoulder has more dark meat and intramuscular fat making it the most tender option, but being a large piece of meat it will take much longer to tenderize.
Pork Chops And Sauerkraut
This pork chop and sauerkraut recipe is sweeter and has a much more mild sauerkraut flavor that those of us who didn’t grow up eating fermented foods regularly can enjoy! Using the Instant Pot means everything can easily be made in a one-pot meal to save time and energy!
The bacon, apples, onions and carrots really add more flavor dimensions to the traditional pork and sauerkraut recipes. This is a great first recipe to try for people who are on the fence about whether to eat sauerkraut.
I love that my friend Chef Alli shared this recipe with me and she adapted it to be prepared in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients Needed
- Pork Chops – We typically use boneless, but bone-in works fine too. Choose a thick pork chop for better results.
- Sauerkraut – We like a jar of Frank’s Polish style sauerkraut as jars are typically the highest quality.
- Oil – Vegetable or canola to help brown the chops and prevent sticking.
- Chicken Broth – A neutral liquid to help the electric pressure cooker work, sauerkraut juice or beer work as a substitute.
- Onion – Any type of onion is fine, cut in coarse pieces.
- Carrots – We like the orange color added to this otherwise monochromatic meal.
- Bacon – Because it adds flavor to most meals!
- Apples – A classic and optional addition to this meal.
How to Make Instant Pot Pork Chops & Sauerkraut
- Use saute setting on electric pressure cooker to brown pork chops
- Add onions, bacon, carrots and garlic to pressure cooker and saute for 2-3 minutes
- Add the drained sauerkraut and apples to the pot, along with the chicken broth; top with the reserved pork chops
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes then use a natural release for 10 minutes
- Serve on warm mashed potatoes and enjoy
Why Do Pork Chops Get Tough in the Instant Pot
Using a thick pork chop will typically be more tender because it takes longer to dry out. A thick bone-in pork chop will also typically stay more tender because the bone increases cooking time, thus keeping the chop tender longer.
The Instant Pot is one of the most challenging ways to cook pork chops and keep them tender because you can’t just peek in and check the temperature.
If you try this recipe and love the flavors but have trouble keeping the pork chop tender try making the pork chops in the oven. Then the sauerkraut and remaining ingredients can be cooked in the electric pressure cooker.
Does Sauerkraut Need Drained?
Draining sauerkraut is a personal preference. Since liquid is necessary for pressure cooking you will need the liquid from the sauerkraut OR chicken broth.
My husband loves all of the sauerkraut flavor, so he never drains or rinses!
Beer is another option if you enjoy that flavor, but just choose one source of liquid to avoid making a soup.
Step By Step Instructions
Add a couple tablespoons of oil to the instant pot and turn on the sauté setting.
Once oil is hot add pork chops with long handled tongs.
When the chops are white half way up the side flip and lightly brown the other side. The second side won’t take quite as long to cook since the chops will be warmer.
Once both sides are brown set aside on a plate.
If needed add another tablespoon or two of oil and saute carrots, bacon, onion and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes depending on the size of the veggies.
Once they begin to tenderize add chicken broth and stir.
After stirring well add the drained sauerkraut.
Finally put the apples and pork chops in the instant pot.
Lock the lid into place and cook on high pressure for 7 minutes.
Then allow pot to natural release pressure for 10 minutes, follow tip a quick release, remove the lid and serve warm.
Tips for Making Pork and Sauerkraut in the Pressure Cooker
- The apple peel will come off under pressure in the Instant Pot. If that bothers you peel the apples.
- We use thick slices of bacon because more bacon means more flavor.
- Reduce the number and amount of supplemental ingredients if you really want one flavor to stand out.
- Browning the pork chops adds a bit of flavor and color.
- Be sure to use at least a ten-minute natural release when cooking pork chops to allow the protein fibers to relax. Using the quick release will leave the chops tough.
- I like to set my instant pot on my stove top and use my oven hood to remove moisture from the kitchen as the appliance does a natural release.
- 7 minutes of cook time means the chops will be tender but not fall apart. Pressure cook longer for fall-apart pork chops. Once pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145F they are safe to eat and this happens within a few minutes in an Instant Pot.
When we have a big jar of sauerkraut we like to add a layer in our Layered Cabbage Roll Casserole!
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese With Velveeta
- Instant Pot Chicken and Bacon Carbonara
- Old Fashioned Sausage, Potatoes and Green Beans
- Easy Instant Pot Potatoes, Sausage & Green Beans
- Instant Pot Sausage, Peppers and Onions
We hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!
Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops 3/4" – 1" thick
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 4 slices bacon raw and chopped
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 carrots diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 32 ounce jar Sauerkraut drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 apples cored and quartered, peel if desired
Serve with a batch of your favorite mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Using the sauté setting on your Instant Pot, add 1-2 Tbs. oil; when the oil is hot, add the chops, browning them on both sides, working in batches, if needed, so you don’t overcrowd the pot. Set the browned chops on a clean plate as you work.
- Add another tablespoon of oil along with the onions, bacon, carrots and garlic to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the drained sauerkraut and apples to the pot, along with the chicken broth; top with the reserved pork chops.
- Lock the IP lid into place, then use the manual button to choose 7 minutes on the High-Pressure setting, bringing the IP to full pressure. When the timer sounds, use a 10-minute natural release, followed by a quick release if any pressure remains in the IP.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- All cooking appliances and conditions are different, so you should test these times and guidelines first in your own appliance to determine what adjustments may be needed!
Equipment
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Nutrition
Originally shared on December 22, 2018 with updates made on December 1, 2023.
Can you make this in a crock pot?
I haven’t tried making this in a crock pot, but I would like to. Please let me know how it works if you try it!
I used bone-in chops and set the timer for 25 minutes. It was delicious. A definite make again.
So glad to hear. Thanks for letting us know!
Pork chops were tasty but a bit dry. I will lower the time next time I make it,
Could you add potatoes to this recipe? I would rather not have a separate pot. Or Green Beans?
Yes chunks of potatoes could be included as they can hold up to the longer pressure cooking period. I’m afraid green beans would likely become pretty soggy after more than a few minutes in the Instant Pot. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
I’d probably drain but not rinse the sauerkraut – I like a little more “zip”. Could substitute apple juice for broth, but it’s really good. It’s a keeper!
This was quick, easy, and insanely delicious!!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Does anything change if I omit the apples? My mom doesn’t do fruit and meat together. Thanks!
Hey There! Great question – the recipe shouldn’t change by omitting the apples. There are still plenty of flavors that I hope you all enjoy!
This was delicious, so flavorful. The only thing I changed was using apple juice instead of chicken broth ( I only had beef). Will definitely be making this again.
A make again recipe leaving you wanting more……
Made this with some substitutions however. I used a couple tablespoons of homemade apple butter and a couple tbs of dark brown sugar along with about a tsp of caraway seeds. It was delicious! Loin chops were sooo tender and flavorful!
How much less time to cook thinner chops?
Hey There! Great question, but I will say that I do not recommend making thin chops in the Instant Pot as they tend to dry out pretty quickly. I would try another recipe like cutting into thin strips for fajitas or this one: https://plowingthroughlife.com/basic-oven-baked-pork-chops/ Hope you enjoy!
Instead of potatoes, make it with Spatzel instead. You don’t need any of the fancy equipment. I use the following: 1 egg, 1 cup of flour (do not use self rising), and enough milk to make a wet dough. This is per serving. I use a cutting board and a knife to shave it into the boiling water. When they float to the surface, they are done. I always make extra because the next day you can saute them in brown butter and toasted breadcrumbs. Yum!