Description
Hearty pioneer woman pork chops and sauerkraut blend German culinary traditions with rustic American cooking. Simple ingredients create a comforting meal that connects family and heritage with rich, tangy flavors you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in center-cut pork loin chops (8 oz / 226 g each)
- 1 jar sauerkraut, undrained (32 oz / 907 g)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (170 g)
- 1 medium green pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 tbsps canola oil (30 ml)
Instructions
- Sear Pork Chops: Heat canola oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Brown bone-in center-cut pork loin chops until golden, approximately 4-5 minutes per side, then transfer to a temporary plate.
- Layer Sauerkraut Base: Spread undrained sauerkraut across the bottom of a large baking dish, creating a foundational layer. Sprinkle half the brown sugar evenly, establishing a sweet substrate.
- Arrange Protein and Vegetable Layer: Position seared pork chops on the sauerkraut foundation. Cover completely with remaining sauerkraut, then distribute residual brown sugar across the surface. Intersperse thinly sliced green pepper and onion strips throughout the dish for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Bake and Tenderize: Cover the baking dish securely with aluminum foil or lid. Roast in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for approximately 1 hour, allowing ingredients to meld and protein to become tender.
- Finalize and Rest: Verify pork chops have reached 145°F (63°C) internal temperature. Remove from oven and let rest 3-5 minutes to allow flavor integration and juice redistribution before serving.
Notes
- Sear for Supreme Flavor: Browning pork chops before baking creates a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in moisture and intensifies taste.
- Sugar Balances Acidity: Brown sugar neutralizes sauerkraut’s tangy profile, creating a harmonious sweet-and-sour flavor combination.
- Moisture Matters: Covering the dish prevents meat from drying out, ensuring tender, succulent pork chops that melt in your mouth.
- Temperature is Key: Always use a meat thermometer to verify pork reaches 145°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg