Best 7 Pork Balls And Sauerkraut Recipes

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Pork balls and sauerkraut is a classic German dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a hearty and flavorful stew that is perfect for a cold winter day. The pork balls are made with ground pork, bread crumbs, eggs, and seasonings. They are then browned in a skillet and added to a pot of sauerkraut, water, and spices. The stew is simmered until the pork balls are cooked through and the sauerkraut is tender.

In this article, we will provide you with two different recipes for pork balls and sauerkraut:

1. **Traditional Pork Balls and Sauerkraut**: This is the classic German recipe that we described above. It is made with simple ingredients and is easy to follow.
2. **Oktoberfest Pork Balls and Sauerkraut**: This recipe is a bit more festive and is perfect for Oktoberfest celebrations. It includes the addition of beer, caraway seeds, and juniper berries.

Both recipes are delicious and will surely warm you up on a cold day. So whether you are looking for a traditional German dish or something a little more special, we have the perfect recipe for you.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

GERMAN MEATBALLS WITH SAUERKRAUT



German Meatballs with Sauerkraut image

A hearty stew of German meatballs with sauerkraut, the perfect recipe for cold autumn and winter days.

Provided by Adina

Categories     Stews

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 17

Meatballs:
1 lb mixed ground meat (half pork - half beef, 450 g)
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 large slice white bread (crust removed, about 60 g/ 2.1 oz)
1 egg
1 tablespoon sweet paprika powder
½ - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (to taste)
black pepper
Stew:
1.6 lb fresh sauerkraut or 1 large can sauerkraut (700 g, Note)
3 bay leaves
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup crème Fraiche/smetana/sour cream (200 g)
fine sea salt and black pepper

Steps:

  • Soak the white bread for a couple of minutes in cold water.
  • Mix: Chop the onions very finely and grate the garlic. Mix the ground meat with the chopped onions and the garlic. Squeeze the soaked bread and add it to the mixture. Add the parsley, sweet paprika powder, the lightly beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Form small meatballs about the size of a walnut, and set them aside.
  • Combine: Place the sauerkraut in a larger pot with the tomato paste, bay leaves, and sugar. Add enough water to almost cover the sauerkraut. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and add the meatballs.
  • Simmer: Cover the pot tightly and simmer everything for about 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through, stirring from time to time and taking care not to break the meatballs. Add a little more water if you feel that too much of it has evaporated. I added about ½ cup more during the cooking time but not all at once. At the end of the cooking time, at least half of the water should have cooked away.
  • Add the crème fraiche, smetana, or sour cream. Stir carefully. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or reheat the stew.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /6 of the dish, Calories 434 kcal, Carbohydrate 17 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 30 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 142 mg, Sodium 1306 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 7 g, UnsaturatedFat 12 g

EASY PORK AND SAUERKRAUT



Easy Pork and Sauerkraut image

This is a recipe that is similar to my Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother's but was modified by me. She used a pressure cooker but I prefer the crock pot. I always serve this with a side of mashed potatoes and applesauce to accompany it.

Provided by Bianca Smith

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Pork

Time 6h15m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound pork roast, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 (32 ounce) jar sauerkraut with juice
½ (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
½ apple, peeled and cored
1 tablespoon minced garlic
½ tablespoon fresh dill weed
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir well. Submerse the apple under the other ingredients.
  • Cook on High for one hour, reduce heat to Low and continue cooking for 5 hours or until pork is cooked through. Discard apple and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.1 calories, Carbohydrate 11.7 g, Cholesterol 31.7 mg, Fat 4 g, Fiber 5.2 g, Protein 12.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 1567.3 mg, Sugar 4.4 g

GERMAN MEATBALLS WITH SAUERKRAUT



German Meatballs with Sauerkraut image

The original version of this recipe came from A Taste of Country cookbook. Prep time includes setting time for meatballs to chill.

Provided by Toby Jermain

Categories     Meat

Time 2h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup fine dry breadcrumb
3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (more to taste)
1 teaspoon garlic granules
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
2 -3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 (32 ounce) jar sauerkraut, undrained,not canned if avoidable
water or white wine, as needed
additional chopped parsley (to garnish) (optional)
hot buttered boiled potato, as accompaniment

Steps:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef and pork, onion, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic, Worcestershire, egg, and milk.
  • Shape into 1½" to 2" meatballs, and chill until set.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet, and brown the meatballs on all sides.
  • Remove meatballs, and drain fat from pan, leaving browned bits in bottom.
  • Add sauerkraut and juice to skillet, and top with meatballs.
  • Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until meatballs are done.
  • Add water or wine if necessary to keep sauerkraut moist.
  • Sprinkle with parsley for garnish.
  • Serve with buttered boiled potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.6, Fat 24.4, SaturatedFat 8.3, Cholesterol 135.1, Sodium 1863.3, Carbohydrate 19.8, Fiber 4.9, Sugar 4.6, Protein 33.9

GERMAN MEATBALLS



German Meatballs image

This is one of our favorite main dishes. Because we raise our own pork and beef, the meat we use is always freshly ground. For variety, these meatballs can be cooked with a sweet cream gravy or steamed with tomatoes. But we prefer them with homemade sauerkraut. -Iona Redemer, Calumet, Oklahoma

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 can (27 ounces) sauerkraut, undrained
1/3 to 1/2 cup water, optional
Additional snipped parsley

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine first 10 ingredients; shape into 18 meatballs, 2 in. each. Heat the oil in a skillet; brown the meatballs. Remove meatballs and drain fat. Spoon sauerkraut into skillet; top with meatballs. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through, adding water if necessary. Sprinkle with parsley. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meatball mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, stirring gently.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 376 calories, Fat 22g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 114mg cholesterol, Sodium 1636mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 27g protein.

PORCUPINE MEATBALLS IN SAUERKRAUT



Porcupine Meatballs in Sauerkraut image

Provided by Damaris Phillips

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 pound ground beef (85/15)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large egg
1/4 cup uncooked instant rice
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper
Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup drained sauerkraut
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

Steps:

  • Heat 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • In a large bowl, combine the beef, onions, garlic, egg, rice, breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and stir until well combined. Scoop the meatballs using a 2-tablespoon or 1-ounce scoop and put on a plate or baking sheet until ready to sear. You should have about 20 meatballs.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat and working in batches, brown the meatballs, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the pot and drain the fat.
  • Return the Dutch oven to medium heat, add the tomato sauce and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the sauerkraut, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, to taste. Put the meatballs into the sauce in one layer. Turn the heat to medium low, cover and simmer until meatballs are no longer pink on the inside and the rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

PORK AND SAUERKRAUT



Pork and Sauerkraut image

Eating sauerkraut on New Year's is an old Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, said to bring good luck. The traditional meal consists of pork and sauerkraut served together, with sauerkraut representing luck and the pig representing rooting into the New Year. It's a feel-good and flavorsome ritual and it may be just what you need to start the New Year. Serve with mashed potatoes or dumplings.

Provided by Auntie M

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Pork

Time 3h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (3 pound) pork roast
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 (14.5 ounce) cans sauerkraut, or to taste
3 cups water, or more as needed
1 onion, chopped
1 apple - peeled, cored, and finely chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place pork roast in a large roasting pan. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix sauerkraut, water, onion, and apple together in a large bowl. Pour sauerkraut mixture over roast.
  • Bake roast in the preheated oven until heated through, about 1 hour. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Continue to cook roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), adding water if sauerkraut mixture looks dry, about 2 hours more.
  • Remove roast from oven and allow to rest in a warm area before slicing, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.8 calories, Carbohydrate 12.5 g, Cholesterol 79.6 mg, Fat 9 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 971.5 mg, Sugar 6.2 g

SAUERKRAUT WITH CIDER AND PORK



Sauerkraut With Cider and Pork image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories     dinner, weekday, main course

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 porkette (cooked smoked shoulder butt), 1 1/2 pounds
2 green apples, about 3/4 pound
3 Idaho potatoes, about 1 1/4 pounds
1/4 cup lard or solid white shortening
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped onions
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
2 pounds sauerkraut
6 juniper berries
1 bay leaf
3/4 cup apple cider
3/4 cup chicken broth
6 to 8 boulettes de porc (see recipe)
1 link kielbasa or Polish sausage, about 1 1/4 pounds

Steps:

  • Cut and pull away the cloth covering of the pork butt.
  • Remove the stems from the apples. Peel and core the apples, and cut them into quarters. Cut the quarters crosswise into thin pieces. There should be about 2 1/2 cups.
  • Peel the potatoes, and cut each in half crosswise. Let the potatoes stand in water to cover until ready to be used.
  • Heat the lard in a large, heavy casserole, and add the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the onions are wilted.
  • Add the caraway seeds and cook briefly. Add the apples, stirring.
  • Rinse and drain the sauerkraut. Squeeze it to extract excess liquid. Add the sauerkraut and juniper berries to the casserole.
  • Place the pork butt in the center of the sauerkraut. Add the bay leaf, cider and broth. Cover closely. Bring to a boil, and cook 15 minutes.
  • Arrange the boulettes of pork and kielbasa over the sauerkraut. Drain the potatoes and add them. Cover closely and continue cooking 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
  • Slice the meats, and serve with the pork balls, potatoes and sauerkraut.

Tips:

  • Choose the right pork. For the best results, use a combination of ground pork shoulder and ground pork loin. This will give the pork balls a good balance of flavor and texture.
  • Season the pork balls well. Don't be afraid to use plenty of spices and herbs when seasoning the pork balls. This will help to give them a lot of flavor.
  • Cook the pork balls thoroughly. Pork balls should be cooked until they are no longer pink in the center. This will help to ensure that they are safe to eat.
  • Use a good quality sauerkraut. The sauerkraut is an important part of this dish, so it's important to use a good quality one. Look for sauerkraut that is made with fresh cabbage and has a tangy flavor.
  • Simmer the pork balls and sauerkraut together. This will help the flavors to meld and create a delicious dish.
  • Serve the pork balls and sauerkraut with your favorite sides. This dish is great served with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.

Conclusion:

Pork balls and sauerkraut is a classic German dish that is both delicious and easy to make. The combination of the savory pork balls and the tangy sauerkraut is simply irresistible. This dish is perfect for a casual weeknight meal or a special occasion dinner. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give pork balls and sauerkraut a try. You won't be disappointed.

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