Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven

Ingredients

2Servings

tbsp

clarified butter (divided)

MetricImperial

Utensils

oven, vegetable peeler, large ovenproof pot with lid, cutting board, knife, large saucepan, sieve, medium saucepan, small bowl

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How-To Videos

How to cut an onion

How to clarify butter

How to prepare sauerkraut

  • Step 1/5

    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 1 carrots
    • 1 leeks
    • 3 stalks celery
    • 1 onions
    • 1½ tbsp clarified butter
    • ½ l beef stock
    • oven
    • vegetable peeler
    • large ovenproof pot with lid
    • cutting board
    • knife

    Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Peel and roughly chop garlic, onions, carrots, leeks, and celery. Melt clarified butter in a heavy-bottomed, ovenproof pot and sauté vegetables for approx. 5 min. over high heat. Deglaze with some beef stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and continue to simmer for approx. 10 min.

  • Step 2/5

    • 1 pork legs
    • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
    • 1 tbsp salt
    • 1 tbsp caraway seeds
    • 1 tbsp pepper
    • 250 ml wheat beer

    Wash pork and pat dry. Mix vegetable oil, salt, caraway seeds, and pepper, then rub pork with mixture until coated. Place pork on top of vegetables in pot. Roast in the lower third of the oven at 180°C/350°F for approx. 60 min. Pour wheat beer over the pork and continue to roast for approx. 45 min.

  • Step 3/5

    • ½ onion
    • ¼ tbsp clarified butter
    • ½ kg sauerkraut
    • 50 ml white wine
    • 1 bay leaves
    • ½ tsp juniper berries
    • 62½ ml beef stock
    • salt
    • pepper
    • large saucepan
    • cutting board
    • knife

    For the sauerkraut, peel and finely dice onion. Melt remaining clarified butter in a large saucepan set over medium heat and sauté onions for approx. 2 min. Add sauerkraut and white wine and simmer for approx. 5 min. Add bay leaves, juniper berries, and remaining beef stock. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for approx. 30 min.

  • Step 4/5

    • ½ kg potatoes
    • salt
    • large saucepan
    • vegetable peeler

    Peel and quarter potatoes. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil, then add potatoes. Cook for approx. 20 min., or until potatoes are knife tender. Drain and keep warm.

  • Step 5/5

    • ½ tbsp starch
    • ½ tbsp water
    • salt
    • pepper
    • sieve
    • medium saucepan
    • small bowl

    Remove pot from oven, take out the pork and place it onto an oven rack. Turn up the heat to 200°C/400°F and roast the pork again in the oven for approx. 10 min., or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and set aside. Pass pork drippings through a sieve into a medium saucepan and let simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix starch and water to make a slurry, then add to sauce. Simmer sauce until thickened. Season with salt and pepper and serve together with pork, sauerkraut, and potatoes. Enjoy!

  • Enjoy your meal!

Tags

  • #kid friendly
  • #slow cooking
  • #roasting
  • #oktoberfest
  • #christmas
  • #salty
  • #berries
  • #main
  • #crowd pleaser
  • #prepare ahead
  • #german
  • #comfort food
  • #pork
  • #savory
  • #for four
  • #alcohol
  • #dairy
  • #herbs
  • #vegetables
  • #autumn
  • #winter
  • #oven
  • #sauteing

This Pork Roast and Sauerkraut is the perfect hearty dinner. Everything roasts together in the oven for quick prep, and it’s a great and easy tradition for New Year’s Day.

Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven

There’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned tradition! My German grandmother most certainly instilled a love for all things sauerkraut in me. She often served it with pork – and not just on New Year’s Day, we definitely had it year round.

I really enjoy apples with my pork (just like my Pork Chops with Apples and Onions, or my Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Bacon).

So here, I’m sharing our very traditional pork loin roast with sauerkraut, apples and onion. I roast it in the oven like my grandma did – so easy and super fuss-free with just a few simple ingredients!

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven
Ingredients for Pork Roast and Sauerkraut: Butter, apples, maple syrup, brown sugar, salt, pepper, pork loin roast and sauerkraut.

Ingredient notes

  • Pork: If you want to use chops rather than the full loin, please bear in mind that they’ll cook much faster. This cut of pork dries out easily, so be careful if you make any substitutions; and definitely adjust your roasting time.
  • Sauerkraut: Different sauerkrauts can have a very different taste. My husband likes it very sour and spiced, so he often adds white wine vinegar, cumin, bay leaf and juniper berries to the roasting pan when we buy it at the grocery store (we also have a farmer selling it locally at times, and that one is much more seasoned/sharp). I suggest tasting your sauerkraut and adding seasoning according to what you like best. I kept the recipe basic so it works for everyone – not all people are crazy about having their mouth seize up when they eat dinner, so I’m leaving my husband’s taste buds out of it.
  • Sugar/maple syrup: I like a sweet/sour combo, but if you feel weird about it, you can just leave these out or use just one.
  • Apples: I used a more tart apple variety, which I strongly recommend here. Granny Smith or Braeburn would work well. Very sweet apples like Gala may make the dish taste too sweet.

How to make Pork Roast and Sauerkraut

1. Start by seasoning the pork with salt and pepper, then brown it in the butter in a large Dutch oven (or other oven-safe pan with lid) for a few minutes on both sides.

2. Once the pork is browned, add the onions to the pan and roast them for a few minutes, tossing them from time to time. You just want them to start to soften and get a little color, they don’t need to fully cook.

3. In a large bowl, combine the sauerkraut, apples, brown sugar and maple syrup. Feel free to taste and add seasoning/white wine vinegar to your taste!

4. Spread the sauerkraut mixture over the pork in the Dutch oven. Make sure to cover all the meat evenly so the top doesn’t dry out as it roasts.

Close the lid and roast in the hot oven for 1.5 to 2 hours.

I recommend starting to check the internal temperature of the roast after 1 hour and 20 minutes, then check every 10-15 minutes to make sure you’re not overcooking the meat – it really dries out if it is in the oven for too long, because it’s such a lean cut.

5. Rest the pork for 5 minutes on the counter, then dig it out of the sauerkraut.

Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven

Cut the pork roast into thick slices against the grain.

I recommend you serve this immediately and don’t leave it sitting around – especially not once the roast has been sliced. Again, it’s a lean cut, so you want to retain as much of the juiciness as possible!

Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven

Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven

Serve the roast over the sauerkraut and apples – such a wonderful comfort food dinner!

Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven

Recipe tips

  • Brown the pork well on either side – this will add so much flavor to the dish!
  • Do not skip browning the onions, or they’ll retain a very sharp and unpleasant flavor.
  • If you don’t have a large Dutch oven, you can also make this in a roasting pan, provided you have a lid for it. You can brown the pork and the onions in the oven if it’s not safe to use on the stove – just heat the oven to 425°F. Melt the butter on the roasting pan, then add the pork and onions. Roast uncovered at 425°F for 5-8 minutes on either side. Then, add the sauerkraut mixture on top, cover with the lid and roast for 1.5 – 2 hours at 350°F.

Pork roast FAQs

What temperature should you cook a pork roast to?

According to the USDA, you should cook pork loin to an internal temperature of 145°F, then let it rest for 3 minutes. This is for cooking the pork roast to medium. It will be well done at 160°F. If you want it well done, remove the pork when it reaches 155°F and follow with a 5 minute rest.

Is it best to cook a pork roast covered or uncovered?

Definitely covered! This is a lean cut with little fat, so covering it helps to lock in the juices.
Here, we’re covering the roast with both sauerkraut AND a lid to help retaining as much juiciness as possible.

Does pork roast get more tender the longer you cook it?

It’s best to cook the pork roast at a moderate temperature (we’re doing 350°F here) for a good amount of time. However, you only want to cook it until it reaches the safe internal temperature of 145°F – 160°. Cooking the roast for longer than this will only dry it out and make it tough, not more tender.

Serving ideas

We love this recipe with mashed potatoes (make them in the instant pot, if you like!) on the side. And a goo helping of whole grain Dijon mustard!

If you want to add some greens, I suggest making sautéed green beans – it’s our favorite with this dish.

Pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes in oven

More easy pork recipes

  • The Best Baked Pork Tenderloin

  • The Best Pork Chop Marinade

  • Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops

  • Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rosemary Potatoes

PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!

This Pork Roast and Sauerkraut is the perfect hearty dinner. Everything roasts together in the oven for quick prep, and it's a great and easy tradition for New Year's Day.

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

Recipe details

Prep 15 mins

Cook 1 hr 30 mins

Total 1 hr 45 mins

Servings 6 people

Difficulty Easy

  • 1 (2- 3 pound) boneless pork loin roast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup thinly sliced onion
  • 1 (32-oz) package sauerkraut undrained
  • 2 medium apples cored and sliced into wedges
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • Heat the oven to 350°F.

  • Season the pork loin with salt and pepper. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven (or other oven-safe pot with lid), then brown the seasoned pork on either side over medium-high heat.

  • Reduce heat to medium. Add onions around pork and brown, stirring from time to time, until starting to soften – about 2-3 minutes. Take off the heat.

  • Combine sauerkraut, sliced apples, brown sugar and maple syrup in a large bowl. Check for seasoning, then spread over pork and onions.

  • Close the lid, then place Dutch oven in the hot oven. Roast for 1.5 – 2 hours, or until the pork roast reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (for medium) to 155°F (for well done).

  • Remove Dutch oven from the oven (careful, it’s hot – use oven gloves!). Let rest on the counter for 5 minutes, then remove pork from sauerkraut and cut into thick slices. Serve immediately over sauerkraut.

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Ingredient notes

  • Pork: If you want to use chops rather than the full loin, please bear in mind that they’ll cook much faster. This cut of pork dries out easily, so be careful if you make any substitutions; and definitely adjust your roasting time.
  • Sauerkraut: Different sauerkrauts can have a very different taste. My husband likes it very sour and spiced, so he often adds white wine vinegar, cumin, bay leaf and juniper berries to the roasting pan when we buy it at the grocery store (we also have a farmer selling it locally at times, and that one is much more seasoned/sharp). I suggest tasting your sauerkraut and adding seasoning according to what you like best. I kept the recipe basic so it works for everyone – not all people are crazy about having their mouth seize up when they eat dinner, so I’m leaving my husband’s taste buds out of it.
  • Sugar/maple syrup: I like a sweet/sour combo, but if you feel weird about it, you can just leave these out or use just one.
  • Apples: I used a more tart apple variety, which I strongly recommend here. Granny Smith or Braeburn would work well. Very sweet apples like Gala may make the dish taste too sweet.

Recipe tips

  • Brown the pork well on either side – this will add so much flavor to the dish!
  • Do not skip browning the onions, or they’ll retain a very sharp and unpleasant flavor.
  • If you don’t have a large Dutch oven, you can also make this in a roasting pan, provided you have a lid for it. You can brown the pork and the onions in the oven if it’s not safe to use on the stove – just heat the oven to 425°F. Melt the butter on the roasting pan, then add the pork and onions. Roast uncovered at 425°F for 5-8 minutes on either side. Then, add the sauerkraut mixture on top, cover with the lid and roast for 1.5 – 2 hours at 350°F.
  • According to the USDA, you should cook pork loin to an internal temperature of 145°F, then let it rest for 3 minutes. This is for cooking the pork roast to medium. It will be well done at 160°F. If you want it well done, remove the pork when it reaches 155°F and follow with a 5 minute rest.

Serving: 1servingCalories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 44gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 1289mgPotassium: 1063mgFiber: 6gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: German

What is the recipe for pork tenderloin?

  • Let the meat rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. ...
  • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C.
  • Place the meat inside the air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes at 370°F/187°C.
  • Check the internal temperature of the meat. ...
  • If you have any sauces or cheese to place on top of the meat, do so during the last minute of cooking.

How do you cook pork tenderloin in the oven?

Pork Tenderloin

  • Preheat oven to 400° F. ...
  • Season the pork with salt and pepper (add chopped fresh herbs if desired).
  • Heat oil and brown the pork evenly in a frying pan. ...
  • Cook 18-20 minutes or until a thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145° F (While the tenderloin is cooking, begin to prepare the mushroom sauce)

More items...

Is pork tenderloin as healthy as chicken?

Pork tenderloin, for example, is just as lean as skinless chicken breast and meets the government guidelines for “extra lean.” In total six cuts of pork meet the USDA guidelines for “lean,” with less than 10 grams of fat per serving. One may also ask, what is the healthiest cut of pork? If you're looking for the healthiest pork options, you want lean cuts-- tenderloin, loin chops and sirloin roast.

How to make stuffed pork tenderloin?

How to Stuff Pork Tenderloin

  • Remove Silver Skin from Pork Tenderloin. ...
  • Spread mushroom mixture evenly over the surface of the tenderloin, leaving 1/2" at the borders. ...
  • Heat the same skillet over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp oil. ...
  • Transfer to a cutting board, brush with the pan drippings and rest 10 minutes before slicing into rings. ...

How long do you cook pork tenderloin in the oven at 350?

Put the pork tenderloin in a baking dish that fits it easily without needing to bend it at all. Put it uncovered into an oven that has been preheated to 350°F. Bake for 20-27 minutes, until the internal temperature on an instant read thermometer is at 145°F, or 25-35 minutes if you like your pork to 160F.

What is the best temperature to cook a pork tenderloin?

Brush the pork tenderloin with additional marinade, then bake in a preheated oven at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, until the pork reaches a temperature of 145°F, then remove it from the oven. Cooking the pork tenderloin at the high temperature of 425 degrees F helps it cook quickly and prevents it from drying out.

How long do you cook pork tenderloin per pound and at what temperature?

Pre-heat oven to 325F (165C). Bake pork tenderloin in the oven UNCOVERED for approximately 20-25 MINUTES *PER POUND*. Or until internal temperature reaches 155F (68C), rested to a final 160F (71C).

What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?

The names may be almost the same, but pork loin and pork tenderloin are different cuts of meat. A pork tenderloin is a long, narrow, boneless cut of meat that comes from the muscle that runs along the backbone. A pork loin is wider and flatter, and can be a boneless or bone-in cut of meat.