Discover the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Crockpot Pork Shanks Sauerkraut recipe—a soul-warming dish that combines fall-apart tender pork shanks with tangy sauerkraut, aromatic spices, and a medley of vegetables for a flavorful feast. Perfect for a slow-cooked dinner, this recipe brings together the richness of seared pork, the sweetness of apples and carrots, and the depth of caraway seeds and bay leaves, all simmered to perfection in a savory chicken broth. With minimal prep and the convenience of a crockpot, this dish is ideal for cozy weeknights or special family gatherings. Pair it with roasted potatoes or crusty bread for a satisfying, rustic meal that celebrates bold, comforting flavors.
Pat dry the pork shanks with paper towels and season with salt, black pepper, and paprika on all sides.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shanks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
Peel and thinly slice the onion. Mince the garlic. Peel and chop the carrots into bite-sized pieces. Core and dice the apple.
In the crockpot, spread half of the sauerkraut at the bottom. Layer the seared pork shanks on top.
Add the onion slices, garlic, carrots, and apple to the crockpot. Sprinkle with caraway seeds and tuck in the bay leaves.
Top with the remaining sauerkraut and pour the chicken broth evenly over the ingredients.
Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to low heat. Cook for 6 hours, or until the pork shanks are tender and falling off the bone.
Carefully remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve the pork shanks with the sauerkraut mixture alongside roasted potatoes or crusty bread, if desired.
Calories |
2126 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 127.9 g | 164% | |
| Saturated Fat | 41.9 g | 209% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 456 mg | 152% | |
| Sodium | 9414 mg | 409% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 111.6 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.0 g | 139% | |
| Total Sugars | 58.9 g | ||
| Protein | 137.5 g | 275% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 506 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 23.2 mg | 129% | |
| Potassium | 4344 mg | 92% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.