Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (2024)

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Our traditional New Year's meal is pork and sauerkraut and it is meant to bring good luck in the New Year. This sous vide pork and sauerkraut recipe is amazing because you can choose the doneness of the pork without over cooking it.

Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (1)

Be sure to add Hoppin' John recipe aka Carolina beans and rice for an added bit of good luck in the New Year.

If you don't have a sous vide circulator you can make an oven-roasted pork and sauerkraut recipe or even slow cooker pork and sauerkraut recipe with amazing results as well. There are benefits to each cooking method but the crock pot recipe is super simple and very much a set it and forget it type of meal.

Sous Vide Pork and Sauerkraut ingredients:

  • Pork loin
  • Sauerkraut
  • Apple (optional)
  • Onion (optional)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

What cut of pork should be used?

Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (2)

In this recipe I am using a boneless pork loin. The bone in will give you another layer of flavor but the boneless loin will be easier to carve. The bone in may also puncture a sous vide bag, depending on the quality of the bag and the placement of the bone. Pork tenderloin is not recommended because it will not hold up to the extended cook time in the oven. Save your tenderloin for your pork tenderloin lemon piccata.

Should you sear the pork before placing in the sous vide bag?

Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (3)

I recommend searing your pork before cooking it in the sous vide bag. By searing the meat you are caramelizing the outside of the roast giving it color along with flavoring. Be sure your pan is screaming hot before you place me meat face down in the pan. Do not move it or poke it for at least 4 minutes.

You will know the meat is properly seared when you can easily flip it over with tongs without tugging too much on the meat to get it to release. Also be sure the outside is cooled enough so it won't melt or compromise the integrity of the sous vide bag.

More pork recipes:

  • Bacon Jam Recipe
  • Ham Pot Pie
  • Copycat chipotle carnitas recipe

Can I leave out the apples and onions in this recipe?

Apples and onions are completely optional in this recipe and my Grandma is probably fainting right now for suggesting it but hear me out. By caramelizing onions and adding an apple to this recipe will add an element of sweetness to the sauerkraut, cutting the tartness. But if you are a sauerkraut purist, and love the tang of the kraut leave the apple and onion out. But if you are a newbie to pork and sauerkraut I suggest adding them.

What is the best sauerkraut for this recipe?

Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (4)

I suggest silver floss sauerkraut. It comes in a bag and is usually found in the meat department next to the pork or even in the refrigerator produce section. You are welcome to use canned sauerkraut but I wouldn't recommend it. You do you but if you are asking, I recommend the bagged sauerkraut.

How big of a bag should I use?

Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (5)

Be sure the bag that you are going to use to sous vide your pork is big enough to handle the size of the piece of meat. The bags that I had were not big enough so I had to pull out my Food Saver roll of bags with the gusset. Just be sure to make the gussets flat before sealing. I also do a double seal, I have trust issues.

I also will use my gusset bags when I am making sous vide pork shoulder. 24 hours in the sous vide and then 2 hours on the smoker or in the oven. Pure perfection!

What temperature should I cook the pork?

Ah! The question everyone wants to know. I cook my pork at 150 for 12 hours. 150 may be too high and too done for some people. But keep in mind I grew up with pork that was VERY done and the struggle was always to get the pork NOT DRY. So 150 is NOT DRY for me but over done for others.

Pork checkoff recommends a minimum of 145. See their visual representations of doneness in their pork temperature charts. With sous vide keep in mind that temperature = doneness and time= texture. So the longer the time the more tender the meat.

How to cook sous vide pork and sauerkraut:

Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (6)
  1. Pat the meat dry.
  2. Place the meat, fat side up, into the pan and sear for at least 4 minutes.
  3. Flip the meat to sear on all sides.
  4. Remove the pork and place in the sous vide bag.
  5. Saute the onion and the apple in the pan.
  6. Deglaze the pan, scraping up the pork bits.
  7. Pour the apples, onions and deglaze into the sous vide bag along with the rest of the sauerkraut.
  8. Sous vide for 12 hours.
  9. Remove from the water bath and place the pork and krout on a serving platter.

***If not using apples and onions in this recipe, still sear the pork and deglaze the pan with sauerkraut juice.

📖 Recipe

Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (7)

Sous Vide Pork and Sauerkraut

Sarah Mock

Our traditional New Year's meal is pork and sauerkraut and it is meant to bring good luck in the New Year. This sous vide pork and sauerkraut recipe is amazing because you can choose the doneness of the pork without over cooking it.

4.74 from 23 votes

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Note From Sarah

There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

Prep time for the recipePrep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook time for the recipeCook Time 12 hours hrs

Cool TimeAdditional Time 15 minutes mins

total time to prep and cook the recipe.Total Time 12 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Crock-Pot Recipes

Cuisine American

Makes 6

Per Serving 71 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 3-4 lb Pork loin
  • 2 pounds Sauerkraut
  • 1 Apple (optional)
  • 1 Onion (optional)
  • drizzle Olive oil
  • Salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Pat the meat dry and season with salt and fresh cracked pepper.

  • Heat a heavy bottom pan to high on the stove top. Add a drizzle of olive oil.

  • Place the meat, fat side up, into the pan and sear for at least 4 minutes to get good caramelization on the surface. [mv_img id="48242"]

  • Flip the meat to sear on all sides.

  • Remove the pork, cool slightly and place in the sous vide bag.

  • Saute the onion and the apple in the pan until they start to take on color. [mv_img id="48233"]

  • Use some of the liquid from the sauerkraut to deglaze the pan, scraping up the pork bits.

  • Pour the apples, onions and deglaze into the bag along with the rest of the sauerkraut. [mv_img id="48267"]

  • Remove the air from the bag and seal. Double seal if desired.

  • Lower the sous vide bag into a 150 bath and cook for 12 hours.

  • Remove from the bath and place the pork and krout on a serving platter.

Notes

Use silver floss sauerkraut, found in the meat section of the grocery store.

Bone in pork loin is another option for the boneless pork loin.

If not using apples and onions in this recipe, still sear the pork and deglaze the pan with sauerkraut juice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1049mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g

Nutrition Disclosure

Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

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About Sarah Mock

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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Sous Vide Pork And Sauerkraut Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best temperature to sous vide pork? ›

Therefore it is recommended that you sous-vide pork at a temperature of 138F or higher. If you do not have a high quality immersion circulator with precise temperature control and your water bath temperature can vary by a few degrees, it is recommended to use at least 140F.

What is the best cut of pork to cook with sauerkraut? ›

There are two things that make this Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe the BEST! Time: Pork loin is best when it is braised over a long period of time with the sauerkraut, as the tenders in the meat are broken down and the pork loin becomes tender and juicy.

What temperature do you sous vide boneless pork chops? ›

Temperature and Timing Chart for Juicy Pork Chops
Sous Vide Pork Chop Temperature and Timing Chart
Rare: Tender, juicy, and a little slippery130°F (54°C)1 to 4 hours
Medium-rare: Tender, juicy, and meaty (my favorite)140°F (60°C)1 to 4 hours
Medium-well: Quite firm and just starting to dry out150°F (66°C)1 to 4 hours
2 more rows

Is sauerkraut and pork good for you? ›

Cabbage, the plentiful winter workhorse of a vegetable, became a perfect culinary pairing for pork. Made into sauerkraut, it was seen as a sign of longevity, wealth and happiness, and stored well for the entire winter. Sauerkraut is high in fiber, vitamins A and K, and boosts the immune system with energy and iron.

How long to leave pork in sous vide? ›

Rare: 130°F / 54°C, 1 to 4 hours - Tender, juicy, and a little slippery. Medium-Rare: 140°F / 60°C, 1 to 4 hours - Tender, juicy, and meaty (my favorite). Medium-Well: 150°F / 66°C, 1 to 4 hours - Quite firm and just starting to dry out.

Is it safe to sous vide pork at 140? ›

From a safety perspective, as long as you cook it long enough to pasteurize it, 135°F (57.2°C) is just as safe as 165°F (73.8°C). My favorite temperature for sous vide pork is 140°F (60°C), though I sometimes cook it lower when I want to put a solid sear on it.

Why do Germans eat pork and sauerkraut? ›

According to Wild Brine, the Germans believe it will bring you good luck for the new year because pigs look forward not backward when they root for food. This tradition would begin in Germany and brought to the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Do you drain sauerkraut before cooking? ›

Sauerkraut from a jar does not require any unique preparation technique before cooking, so simply drain it and cook as per the recipe's instructions. How To Cook Sauerkraut From A Bag? Sauerkraut from a bag is mostly sold drained, so you don't have to drain the sauerkraut before using it.

What country is pork and sauerkraut from? ›

The meal was initially created in Germany hundreds of years ago and was later introduced to the states by the Pennsylvania Dutch, where it quickly took off, PAeats stated. While pork and sauerkraut are commonly associated with Pa., and especially the Pa. Dutch community, it's not hard to find it elsewhere!

How long to sous vide pork at 140 degrees? ›

Temperature and Timing for Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin
Recommended Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin Temperatures
Temperature and TimeDoneness
130°F/54°C for 1 to 4 hoursMedium-rare
140°F/60°C for 1 to 4 hoursMedium
150°F/66°C for 1 to 4 hoursMedium-well
1 more row

Do you sear pork chops after sous vide? ›

Place in sealable bag and sous vide at 155 degrees for 30minute. After sous vide you can finish cooking or let rest in fridge overnight. To serve heat a pan to high and sear the pork loins off until browned.

How long is too long to sous vide pork chops? ›

Cook pork chop in sous vide cooker for at least 45 minutes and up to 4 hours. Alternatively, place in cooler and seal for 45 minutes. Remove from cooker or cooler and carefully pat dry on paper towels.

What does sauerkraut do for your bowels? ›

Sauerkraut also has a high fiber content that helps with constipation by making stools softer, and simultaneously increasing its mass and volume. This bulkiness makes for easier passage through the digestive tract and quicker elimination.

What does eating sauerkraut everyday do to your body? ›

Sauerkraut is incredibly nutritious and healthy. It provides probiotics and vitamin K2, which are known for their health benefits, and many other nutrients. Eating sauerkraut may help strengthen your immune system, improve your digestion, reduce your risk of certain diseases, and even lose weight.

What happens to your gut when you eat sauerkraut? ›

Improve Digestion

One serving of sauerkraut has two grams of fiber — a nutrient known to aid with digestion. For people with constipation, fiber increases the weight and size of their stool and softens it, making it easier to pass. For people with diarrhea, fiber can absorb excess water and solidify their stool.

Is pork safe at 130 degrees? ›

Cook all raw pork steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (62.8 °C) as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.

Is pork good at 150 degrees? ›

The USDA now recommends cooking pork chops, steaks, ham, and roasts to at least 145°F (63°C), which allows the meat to maintain its moisture and flavor without drying it out (7). Organ meats, ground pork, and mixtures made using ground pork, such as sausage, should still be cooked to at least 160°F (71°C) (7).

Should pork be cooked to 145 or 160? ›

Keep in mind that most fresh pork products are leaner than other types of meat you might be familiar with. Because of this, the USDA suggests cooking it to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the same temperature for every variation of pork you might choose from pork tenderloin to shoulder.

Is it safe to cook pork at 300 degrees? ›

Yes, of course. In fact, you want to cook pork at a low temperature because of its tendency to dry out, especially here in the US where breeders have managed to breed much of the fat out of hogs in their quest to market what is perceived to be “healthier” pork.

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