Pork and sauerkraut simmered together is a hearty, protein-packed Pennsylvania Dutch tradition that's deeply comforting. This family-friendly one-pot meal delivers tangy, savory flavor with minimal effort.
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season all sides with salt and black pepper.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high and sear the pork on all sides until deeply golden, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove the pork and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sliced apple and continue cooking until just tender.
Add sauerkraut (with its juice), caraway seeds, and brown sugar to the pot, stirring well to combine with the onion and apple mixture.
Nestle the seared pork into the sauerkraut mixture, cover, and simmer gently over low heat for 2.5–3 hours, occasionally basting the pork with pan juices, until the meat is fork-tender.
Remove the pork, slice, and serve atop the sauerkraut mixture with its savory juices spooned over.