Stuffed Pork Chops With Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Is there no better combo than pork chops with Kielbasa sausage and sauerkraut? Classic hearty German pork chops recipe.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Published January 12, 2007
Elise Bauer
Stuffed Pork Chops with Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Elise Bauer

My father is of German Austrian descent, so naturally we eat a lot of pork chops and sauerkraut. Recipes containing the same have almost a genetic pull over him. Add some kielbasa and the urge to try the recipe becomes irresistable.

Dad found this recipe (made minor adjustments) in an old (1988) issue of Gourmet. Warm and hearty, it's perfect for Winter.

Stuffed Pork Chops With Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs 15 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 25 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • Stuffing:
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage or 2 teaspoons crumbled dried
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
  • Pork chops, Kielbasa, and Sauerkraut:
  • 4 1-inch thick rib pork chops (about 1/2 pound each)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 pound kielbasa, cut diagonally into 3/4-inch-thick slices
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds sauerkraut, drained, rinsed well, and drained again
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoon thinly shredded fresh sage leaves or 2 teaspoons crumbled dried
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp cold water
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Method

  1. Make the stuffing:

    In a heavy skillet cook the onion, the garlic, and the sage in the butter over low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the breadcrumbs and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

  2. Stuff the pork chops:

    With a paring knife, make a 3/4-inch long horizontal incision along the fat side of each chop and cut a deep wide pocket in the chop by moving the knife back and forth carefully through the incision. Fill the chops with the stuffing. Pat the chops dry.

  3. Brown the chops:

    In a large dutch oven, heat the oil over medium high heat. Brown the chops on both sides, removing the chops from the pan to a plate when done.

    stuffed-pork-chops-kielbasa-method-1
    Elise Bauer
  4. Add the kielbasa slices:

    to the pan, browning them slightly on both sides, removing to another plate when done.

  5. Cook the onions:

    Pour off all but 1 Tbsp of fat. In the remaining fat cook the onion over medium heat, until softened.

  6. Layer sauerkraut, pork chops, kielbasa, sauerkraut, add wine, broth, bay leaf:

    Add half of the sauerkraut, spreading it to form a layer on the bottom on the pan. Cover the sauerkraut with the pork chops. Sprinkle on salt and pepper. Add the kielbasa. Spread the remaining sauerkraut over the chops and kielbasa. Add the wine, broth and bay leaf.

    stuffed-pork-chops-kielbasa-method-2
    Elise Bauer
    stuffed-pork-chops-kielbasa-method-3
    Elise Bauer
  7. Simmer:

    Bring the liquid to a simmer and simmer the mixture, covered for 1 1/2 hours, or until the chops are tender. Discard the bay leaf.

  8. Transfer the chops and the kielbasa to a plate:

    cover with foil and keep warm.

  9. Add sage and cornstarch mixture to sauerkraut:

    Add the sage to the sauerkraut mixture, bring mixture to a simmer. Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauerkraut. Stir, and simmer for 2 minutes.

    Serve:

    Spoon sauerkraut on to a large serving plate. Place the chops and kielbasa on top of the sauerkraut, sprinkle with fresh parsley.