This New Year’s Instant Pot pork and sauerkraut dish with kielbasa is an easy meal that you can make in the slow cooker too. A traditional meal to start your New Year and it’s low carb! Each serving has only 4.6g net carbs or 2.4g for the low carb version.
You might also like thsi Pork Roast & Sauerkraut recipe in the Instant Pot.
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Do you eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day? We always have since I was little and even my husband was raised this way. Sauerkraut wasn’t something I loved so much as a kid but I really love it with pork and kielbasa as an adult.
We eat pork & sauerkraut many times in the winter as it’s a family favorite. We keep it really simple and recently I decided to try it in the Instant Pot. You can do the same thing in the slow cooker so don’t worry if you don’t have one. So here is our super easy New Year’s Instant Pot pork and sauerkraut recipe.
Why is Pork and Sauerkraut a New Year’s Tradition?
I was looking into why we eat pork & sauerkraut on New Year’s Day and there are various thoughts. Some say it’s a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition and some say it’s a German tradition. Some say the cabbage and pork represent wealth. Others say it’s all hogwash and just pure comfort food.
Some say pork and sauerkraut will bring you wealth in the new year.
Ingredients for making Pork and Sauerkraut
The ingredients I used were: sauerkraut, Polish kielbasa, country pork ribs or chops, salt, pepper and brown sugar. That’s all. Below you can what I normally use. You can get everything at Aldi except the Swerve brown sugar sweetener. I use that for a lower carb version but even with regular brown sugar it’s still low carb.
All you need is kielbasa, sauerkraut, pork ribs or chops and a little brown sugar.
Instant Pot Recipe Instructions
For the Instant Pot version I first browned the ribs because that’s a nice feature this gadget has: the ability to saute and then pressure cook. I sprinkled a bit of salt and pepper and browned them using the saute setting. Then I added the rest of the ingredients with a little water and pressure cooked for about 15 minutes.
So cooking directions for pork and sauerkraut in the Instant Pot just:
- Press the saute button on the Instant Pot and adjust heat to high. Add 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over the country ribs and brown both sides in the Instant Pot.
- Cancel the sautéing and add sauerkraut on top. Sprinkle brown sugar over sauerkraut.
- Place the kielbasa on top and pour 1/3 cup of water in as well.
- Seal the lid and pressure cook for 15 minutes.
- Let come to pressure naturally or quick release.
Pork & Sauerkraut in the Slow Cooker.
To make this pork & sauerkraut recipe in a slow cooker, you just add everything to the crock and cook for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. You can brown the ribs in a skillet first if you wish but it’s not necessary.
How to eat this meal and low carb version
We like to eat our pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes because it goes well with the tangy sauerkraut and garlicky kielbasa. When I’m watching my carbs, I eat it without the potatoes and use Swerve brown sugar sweetener in place of the brown sugar. Sometimes I just eliminate the brown sugar or sweetener altogether. It’s a bit more tangy but my husband prefers it this way.
To make this low carb, don’t serve with mashed potatoes and eat as is. You can also substitute with a sweetener or leave out the brown sugar.
Whether you make this recipe in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, either method will give you this warm, comforting meal that just might bring you luck in the new year! Can’t hurt right? Enjoy!
The nutritional information for 1 serving is:
584 cals / 37g fat / 9.9g carbs / 5.3g fiber / 51.2g protein = 4.6g net carbs
If using sweetener or no brown sugar at all:
576 cals / 37g fat / 7.7g carbs / 5.3g fiber / 51.2g protein = 2.4g net carbs
Pork and sauerkraut in the instant pot for the new year
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1 lb country pork ribs
- 14 oz kielbasa sliced
- 4 cups sauerkraut (or 24oz jar)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
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Push the saute button on your Instant pot and let heat up.
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Add the oil and then place all the ribs in to brown. Sprinkle salt and pepper and brown on both sides.
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Then add the sauerkraut and sprinkle the brown sugar on top.
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Put the kielbasa slices on top and pour in the water.
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Close and lock the lid and switch the vent to the sealing position.
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Push the manual button for 15 minutes.
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When timer is done, either let vent naturally or turn vent with a quick release.
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Open the lid and mix the kraut around a bit.
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Serve as is or with mashed potatoes.
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If using a slow cooker, you can add everything into the crock and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Jeanne
I add celery seed and diced, peeled apples to this dish as well. I’ve made this dish every New Year’s Day for 40 yrs! My kids loved this as it wasn’t so tart for them. Even though I have the Ninja Foodi, I’m using my crockpot so I can smell the deliciousness all day!
Denise
We eat this many times throughout the year and I’ve got all my ingredients for Wednesday!
Marijee
I haven’t ever used sausage in my P&S, but it looks delicious! I’m going to try this, it beats cooking it half the day I’m use to doing. Does cooking it this mellow the sauerkraut like it does on the stove?
My dad was brought up on a farm in Ohio. Both his parents were from a Germany. He always said eating pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day gave you good luck for the year. (Plus in cleaned your inside out! Ha,)
Denise
Hi Marjee, thanks for sharing what you dad said. That’s what I’ve already heard but never really questioned it as be authentic or not.
The kielbasa mellows the sauerkraut a bit but it is pretty tangy still. My friend makes it with more brown sugar and butter which would take away the tang more but my family doesn’t like it like that. Do you add any other seasoning to your regular pork and sauerkraut?
sheila wright
Thank you for this recipe… I have been wanting some Kraut for a bit now and do not use my instant pot nearly enough
so this ole gal is very happy to see this ..
have a super day
sheila
Denise
Hi Sheila, we too are kraut lovers. We eat pork and sauerkraut at least once a month…..even in the summer. Hope you enjoy it!
Kristin
Is the pork soft?
Denise
Hi Kristin, yes it gets very soft….falls apart.
Donna
Can you use boneless pork chops instead of the ribs? Will it change the time.
Denise
Nope. They are very similar because they are boneless ribs.
Al
Can you use beer instead of water?
Denise
Hi Al, I don’t see why not. Liquid is liquid. I found this online and it says it’s ok. https://www.gopresto.com/content/pressure-cooking/pressure-cooking-faq Good luck!
Rob
Just rec’d Instant Pot for Christmas.
We add wine to our pork & sauerkraut. How will adding wine affect the result? How much wine would you think is acceptable?
Thanks.
Denise
Hi Rob, I don’t think wine will effect the Instant Pot at all. So go ahead and make it the way you usually do. I think the least amount of liquid has to be 1/2 cup but other than that I don’t believe more liquid will hurt at all. Hope that helps.
Marisa Franca
I love the New Years traditions. I think every country has one including regions of the country. Hubby is German and I come from Northern Italy which has a big Germanic influence so we both grew up eating sauerkraut. We enjoy eating it with pork and with sausage. This is a great recipe — will have to modify for a slow cooker. Mar
Veena Azmanov
I must admit I have never eaten Sauerkraut. I think! I’m not sure. I have definitely never cooked with it. This looks and sounds so yum. Love the flavors.
Kristen
I was never a big sauerkraut fan till i was introduced to this way of cooking with it. Now i crave it and make it often. So good!
Jolina
We love dishes like this. And it looks so delicious! We have not joined the instant pot train yet but your recipes always make us want to stat!
Denise
Thanks Jolina!
Gloria
Well, being Ukrainian, I know and love sauerkraut. My mom and baba made it every year. I still remember the aroma of the cabbage fermenting in the basement….that lasted for weeks!! Pork and sauerkraut are a great combination, and this looks delicious to me!!
Denise
I’ve always want to make my own sauerkraut!
Wendy Lewis
How long will it take to add potatoes with the ribs and sauerkraut.in the insta pot?
Denise
It think it would take the same amount of time – 15 minutes. The potatoes should cook quickly. It’s the meat that you want to make sure gets cooked. Hope that helps!
Carol
Have you tried this recipe in the instapot pot on the crockpot setting? How did it turn out?
Denise
To be honest, I have never used the slow cooker setting but I have made this in the slow cooker too and it should work just fine. You really only need to make sure the pork is cooked. Good luck!
Joanne Rose
How long would you cook this if using less ribs – just 2 ribs? (I only cook for 2 and we don’t want leftovers) TIA!
Denise
Hi Joanne,
I found this information “Doubling a recipe doesn’t require changing the cooking time. Cooking times are more dependent on the density and thickness of the ingredients rather than the weight. So, if you’re cooking 8 chicken thighs instead of the 4 thighs that a recipe calls for, you won’t need to change the cooking time in the recipe (so long as you’re not overcrowding the pot and the liquid has room to circulate). Keep in mind that even though you are not increasing the cooking time, the Instant Pot will take longer to build pressure due to the increased quantity of ingredients.(https://www.paintthekitchenred.com/17-instant-pot-tips-faqs-questions/) So I think you should do it for the same time but it might come up to pressure quicker. Hope that helps!
Stacey
I don’t want to put ribs in with this so does there need to be an adjustment on the time?
Denise
Hi Stacey, are you using any other kind of meat? Because the pork ribs are really the only thing that needs to be cooked so I wouldn’t think you even need to pressure cook anything. You could just heat them up using the saute button on your Instant Pot. And just to note, the ribs are boneless country pork ribs. They are just basically pieces of pork cut in to long thick pieces.
Debbie
I purchased an Instant Pot recently, and I love it. I need to try this recipe, it looks fantastic!
Jen
Anyone who used a pork roast ~ how did it come out?
Denise
Jen this is an email from another reader who used a roast – We skipped the kielbasa and cut the roast in half. Set it for 50 minutes and it was perfect.
Thanks!” – Hope that helps!
Charlene Gralishj
My instapot does not have a manual button what setting should I use for this recipe?
Denise
You want it to cook for 15 minutes so what other buttons do you have that might cook something for 15 minutes? Do you have a meat button?
Jessica
Would you make any changes when using canned Vlasic sauerkraut?
Denise
Nope. That should be just fine!
Cynthia
Can i throw in raw shredded canbage instead of sauerkraut? If so what adjustments do i need to make? Thanks!
Denise
Hi Cynthia, the sauerkraut will give it that bit of acid or tang so if you don’t mind missing that taste, I don’t see why not. Maybe add a bit more salt and some apple cider vinegar. However I would increase the water to be 1 cup total. Good luck!
Linda
Happy New Year! Does the sauerkraut get soft or does it stay a little firm? Thank you
Denise
I would say that it is soft but not mushy. There is no crunch though.
teresa christy
Can I use ribs with the bone in? And would the time change from doing so?
Denise
I think it will be fine because there is less meat with bone in.
teresa christy
Thank you, gonna give it a try.
Denise
Great! I hope you like it.
Michelle Rhineberger
I plan on making this for dinner tonight. You say to use 1/3 cup water but typically recipes need at least 1 cup water for the instant pot? You didn’t have a problem with the meat burning on the bottom?
Denise
Hi Michelle, I did not have a problem because there is liquid in the sauerkraut. I did not drain it. Hope that helps!
chuck
You say switch the vent to the on position is this the “Sealing” position?
Denise
Yes Chuck I meant the sealing position. Thanks for pointing that out!
Viv Kimmel
May I do a roast w this recipe or should I slice it up to use I. Instant cooker?
Denise
Hi Viv,
Whenever I do a roast it takes much longer and I think the kielbasa would be way over cooked.
I’ve never tried that however, that is my instinct. I think if you cut it up it would cook quicker.
Hope that helps!
Barb
Could I follow same directions for Mini pot?
Denise
I believe it would work the same way for the mini Instant Pot though I have never used one before. As long as the food items fit well inside and were not too cramped it should work out using the same timing method. Good luck!
Barb
Can you use pork loin instead and would it need more time
Denise
Hi Barbara,
I don’t think it would need any extra time but it might depend on what size it is. If you are doing a big piece like a roast, it might take more time, but if you cut it in pieces I think it would be the same amount of time.
Good luck!
Denise
Jenn
If I were to not make the kielbasa, would that affect the cooking time for the instant pot?
Denise
Hi Jenn, no that would not. The kielbasa is essentially cooked so it’s really only about cooking the ribs. Hope that helps and that you like this! We eat it quite often in the winter.