Imperial Sugar is sponsoring today’s post. In exchange for sharing this unique #AppleWeek recipe, I received an over-the-top crazy amount of granulated and light brown sugar. All thoughts, ideas, recipes, pictures, and general silliness contained within this post are solely my own and not necessarily that of the sponsor. CLICK HERE to learn more about Imperial Sugar or CLICK HERE to enter the amazing #AppleWeek Giveaway.
This may just be the most perfect autumn vegetable side dish you’ll ever feed your family. Red cabbage, crisp fall apples, and a sweet and tangy balsamic sauce give this slow-cooked sauerkraut a truly unique flavor with almost no work involved. Simply dump all of the ingredients into a slow cooker, stir, and then cook on low for 8 hours. All that’s left to do is add in some chopped red apples, stir, and then serve. It really is that simple.
Fall is definitely the busiest time of year for me, which means that there are many nights when B.O.B. Bob and I go to bed having eaten only several small bags of Halloween-shaped pretzels and not a whole lot of anything else. Yeah, yeah, I know, our eating habits could use some serious work. That’s where this sweet and tangy slow-cooker sauerkraut comes in.
This is one of those rare crockpot recipes where almost no work is involved. Meaning there’s no browning or sautéing of ingredients required ahead of time. Simply toss everything into a slow-cooker, stir, and then leave for 8 hours. Right before serving, stir in a few chopped apples and dinner is served. It’s not quite the same as Halloween-shaped pretzels, but hey, you gotta eat “real food” every so often, right?
Ingredients:
- 1 (32-oz.) Bag Sauerkraut, Rinsed & Drained
- 1 (8-oz.) Bag Shredded Red Cabbage
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 Teaspoon Finely Ground Black Pepper
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Red Apples, Cored & Chopped
Directions:
- Place the sauerkraut, red cabbage, sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, and black pepper in a slow-cooker; stir until well combined.
- Cut the butter into 8 pieces and place it on top of the mixture.
- Cook for 8 hours on low temperature.
- Add the chopped apples to the sauerkraut; stir to combine.
Suggestions:
- You can use either unsalted or salted butter in this recipe. It really just depends on what you prefer.
- If you can’t find a bag of shredded red cabbage at your local market, replace it with a finely chopped small head of red cabbage.
- I add the chopped apples to the sauerkraut and red cabbage mixture after it has cooked because it lends a much better texture.
Improvements:
- Slice a package of kielbasa into small chunks, brown it in a skillet, and then add it to the sauerkraut mixture.
- Add finely chopped Basic Candied Bacon to the sauerkraut.
- For variety, replace the apples with pears.
Ingredients:
- 1 (32-oz.) Bag Sauerkraut, Rinsed & Drained
- 1 (8-oz.) Bag Shredded Red Cabbage
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 Teaspoon Finely Ground Black Pepper
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Red Apples, Cored & Chopped
Directions:
- Place the sauerkraut, red cabbage, sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, and black pepper in a slow-cooker; stir until well combined.
- Cut the butter into 8 pieces and place it on top of the mixture.
- Cook for 8 hours on low temperature.
- Add the chopped apples to the sauerkraut; stir to combine.
PIN THIS RECIPE
Don’t let this recipe slip away. How often do you find a recipe intriguing, yet forget where to find it when you finally get the hankering to make it? Instead of digging through old posts or wandering aimlessly around on the internet, why not Pin this recipe to Pinterest where you can find it when you eventually need it? Simply Pin the image above and you’ll have it when that time comes. You can follow us HERE on Pinterest or simply click HERE to find all of our pin-worthy recipes.
Cinnamon Swirl Banana & Apple Sauce Bread
Soda-Glazed Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Creamy Cabbage & Carrot Coleslaw with Apple
Whether you prefer the convenience of oven-roasting or the hands-off approach of a slow cooker or crockpot, we have a sauerkraut recipe for you. No matter which recipe you choose, it’s sure to be a hit on game day, for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, or even as a traditional good luck New Year’s Day side dish. CLICK HERE for the recipes.
2018
Pink Peppercorn & Curry Leaf Chicken Salad
Buttery Apple Streusel Thumbprint Cookies
Apple & Chipotle Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs
Apple & Red Cabbage Slow-Cooker Sauerkraut
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Frozen Custard
Apple & Lentil Andouille Crockpot Stew
2019
Soda-Glazed Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Chewy Brown Sugar Apple Chip Cookies
Crunchy Dried Cherry Applesauce Cake Bars
Buttery Apple Cider Tea-Infused Ice Cream
Oatmeal Apple Spice Bundt Cake (Cake Mix)
Make sure to check out all of the other great #AppleWeek recipes below.
- Apple & Red Cabbage Slow-Cooker Sauerkraut by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Apple Butter-Glazed Chicken Wings by Culinary Adventures With Camilla
- Apple Cherry Jam Cookies by The Monday Box
- Apple Cinnamon Cake by Girl Abroad
- Cheddar Chicken Tacos with Apple Salsa by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Apple Cider Donuts by House of Nash Eats
- Apple Cider Mules by The Redhead Baker
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Apple Fritters by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Apple Maple Breakfast Sausage by Kate’s Recipe Box
- Apple Oatmeal Muffins by Books n’ Cooks
- Apple Pandowdy by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Apple Pecan Chicken Salad by Cookaholic Wife
- Apple Spice Poke Cake by Jonesin’ for Taste
- Baked Apple Cider Donuts by Everyday Eileen
- Baked Cinnamon Apples by The Anthony Kitchen
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
- Caramel Apple Pie Party Mix by Lemon Blossoms
- Chicken with Apple, Onion, and Cider Sauce by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Cinnamon Apple Fritters by The Freshman Cook
- Chipotle Turkey, Apple, & Sweet Potato Chili by Savory Moments
- Harvest Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Love and Confections
- Herby Ginger Apple Compote by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
- Individual Skillet Apple Pies by Family Around the Table
- Instant Pot Quick Oats with Apples, Walnuts and Honey by 4 Sons R Us
- Japanese Beef Curry (Kare Raisu) by Palatable Pastime
- Kielbasa, Apple, Bacon, Sweet Potato Skillet Meal by Tip Garden
- Mini Apple Crispy Baked Apples by Cooking with Carlee
- New England Apple Cake by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Turnovers by Daily Dish Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chai Apple Butter by Mildly Meandering
- Spiked Mulled Apple Cider by Caroline’s Cooking
- Stuffed Apples with Homemade Sausage and Rice by Our Good Life