Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Apples and Onions

Name: Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Apples and Onions
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 50 min
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 6 pound boneless pork shoulder; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 3 medium onions, peeled halved and thickly sliced; 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into wedges; 24 ounces of sauerkraut, drained; 4 tablespoons apple cider syrup (or pomegranate molasses)

October 6, 2016 Updated December 27, 2021 by Lisa 23 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

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This delicious pork roast with sauerkraut apples and onions has just 5 ingredients and takes only 20 minutes of prep. It comes out of the oven tender and flavorful, with with lots of delicious gravy.

I've rediscovered the magical powers of my oven making this pork roast. In goes a huge hunk of raw meat, with shreds of sauerkraut, sliced onions, wedges of green apple and cider syrup.

Two and a half hours later, out comes the most tender delicious roast of pork with an abundance of golden sweet and sour gravy, calling out for mashed potatoes to soak it all up.

Pork and sauerkraut are meant for each other. They're paired frequently in savory soups, stews and roasts throughout Eastern Europe and in pockets of the USA.

Pork and Sauerkraut Bring Good Luck

There are reasons why pork and sauerkraut are so commonly found in the same pot. It's not just about the taste. Some people believe that eating pork with sauerkraut brings good luck. That's why, for some, it's a ritual to eat pork with sauerkraut to celebrate the new year. It bodes well for good luck and blessings to come in the year ahead.

The 'good luck ahead' theory comes from the fact that pigs root in the dirt with their snouts moving in a forward direction. The concept of moving forward and making progress in the new year, combined with the fact that pigs are robust and get plenty of food, implies a future of wealth and prosperity.

Sauerkraut is also symbolic of good things to come. In Germany people wish each other as much happiness and prosperity as the number of shreds of sauerkraut in the pot.

While my family never considered pork and sauerkraut to be good luck, we did have our own tradition around eating it.

When I was a kid, my mother was often on a diet and watching her weight. Mom's big, once a year treat, on her birthday, was to eat a hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard from the Sabrett hot dog cart in Central Park (NYC). She considered that the ultimate birthday splurge.

We'd walk over to the park together. I'll never forget how excited I was for that dripping wet hot dog nestled into a bun with sauerkraut and a long wiggly line of Gulden's mustard.

My tastes have evolved and expanded over the years but I still love a good hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut.

This pork roast is a celebratory dish, but one that can be enjoyed for any occasion, from Sunday dinner to New Year's Eve. It takes minimal effort to prep and it's great for feeding a crowd. Make sure you have mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower to soak up the sauce. A simple sauté of spinach, kale or collard greens would make a perfect side.

Here's the recipe for pork roast with sauerkraut, apples and onions. I hope if you make this recipe I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think!