Want to know a secret for tender pork chops? It's very simple to do. The secret is braising. It takes plain fried pork chops and makes them flavorful and tender at the same time. All you need is a skillet with a tight fitting lid. Sure you can use a braiser pan although it is not necessary. Now what to braise with? My first choice is sauerkraut. Why? Aside from how good it tastes, it is because it doesn't get any easier than opening a package or jar and pouring it in*. That's a real time saver when you need a quick and easy Weekday Supper.
Simple is the key to meals during the week. Time is tight and not many people want to do 15 steps or deal with 15 ingredients. This recipe also allows you time to make a quick veggie side and heat up bread while it is braising. I roasted some colorful baby carrots which only takes about 20 minutes. I also put rolls in the oven with the carrots. It was all done in no time.
Pork chops with sauerkraut brought back many memories. Many were from my trip to Germany last November. Some were from all the times my parents cooked sauerkraut when I was growing up. It's been a big part of my life and I know it will continue to be in my future. It's amazing how a simple meal can hold such fond memories and make new ones along the way. That is the power of cooking at home. How it contributes to more than nourishment is the greatest part of all.
Please take a look at the other wonderful Weekday Supper recipes for this week:
- Monday - Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious - Tuscan Baked Eggs on Lentils
- Wednesday - Heather at Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks - Bang Bang Chicken
- Thursday - Pam at Blueberries and Blessings - Individual Salmon Loaves
- Friday - Shannon at Country Girl in the Village - Chicken Veggie Burritos
Looking for more Weekday Supper inspiration? Follow the #WeekdaySupper hashtag on twitter for quick and easy recipes we share throughout the week, every week of the year! Share yours too, just remember to tweet them with the hashtag.
*For sauerkraut with deeper flavor try Braised Sauerkraut.
Pork Chops With Sauerkraut
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 thin cut pork chops about ½-inch
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking oil
- 1 package or jar of sauerkraut 8 to 16 ounces
Instructions
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a thin layer of oil. Heat until almost smoking. Add the chops to the pan and brown both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
- Add the sauerkraut to the skillet. Bring to a boil, cover, and turn down the heat to low.
- Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the chops are tender. Serve immediately.
Yum!!! Such a delicious weekday supper recipe! We also like Sauerkraut a lot in our house 🙂
Thanks for the reminder! We had this a lot when I was growing up, but I don't think I have exposed my children to sauerkraut yet! Must remedy that!
It's funny, I saw this recipe title on the forum and thought, omg! I would totally eat that and love every single bite... but I'd never have thought to pair the two together.
Then my aunt emailed me last night and told me she was making pork with sauerkraut... uhm. Apparently everyone else is smarter than I am.
At any rate, this looks LIKE HEAVEN! The perfect weeknight meal!
Thanks so much Nicole. How great your aunt is cooking something similar. Sauerkraut and pork do go so well together.
We actually had this dish quite often growing up in northern NY. I'm not sure where my mom got the recipe (I'm sure from our neighbor Lilly Miller...), but I LOVED it. My parents are visiting us this weekend...maybe I'll whip some up while they're here! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
It's such a simple dish and I'm sure it is popular up north in the more German populated areas. It made me smile to see you had this growing up. Amazing how the same meal can be shared by so many all across the nation and world.
This is like...my DREAM dinner. Mind if I just come over?
Sure thing Jen, come on over!
As good as the chops and all look, I'm loving the rainbow carrots ever as much! Beautiful dish for a weeknight, for sure!
Thanks Pam. I agree, those rainbow carrots are as beautiful as they are good.
Love, I have some sauerkraut in the fridge and I can only eat so many reubens before I get sick of them. I can't wait to try this!
Thanks Lane! I do the same with going on a reuben streak. I totally can relate to using sauerkraut for something else.
This is seriously some yummy dinner. I need to come by for din-din.
Thanks Kim! Come on over...
So don’t drain Sauerkraut?
Correct. Don't drain the sauerkraut.
Yummy! My Mom would make this when we were growing up! I haven’t made this in years! I am visiting my Mom for 2 weeks and have been making her favorite meals. She doesn’t get fresh home cooked meals because there is only a few of my sisters able to stay and cook. She doesn’t mind leftovers but I am enjoying watching her face light up each day while she is eating her favorite meals. This is our dinner for today, Sunday. A proper Sunday family meal!