Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut

Teresa Ambra

2012 – Gluten Free Living

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut has always been one of my favorite ways to prepare pork ribs. Years ago just after we were married I found this recipe in one of my cookbooks and decided to try it. I loved it instantly. But I have to admit I’ve always loved sauerkraut.

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John prefers that I make this with boneless pork ribs rather than country-style bone-in ribs as the recipe dictates. But then, he prefers all of his meat without bones. So for convenience, ease, and personal preference we make this recipe with boneless pork ribs.

I found this delicious recipe in the Pillsbury cookbook. The combination of sauerkraut with apples, brown sugar, caraway sees and onion gives it such a wonderful flavor — toning down the sauerkraut and enhancing the whole dish. It is so quick and easy to throw together.

Those who don’t normally care for sauerkraut usually like this dish. If you want some more flavor consider adding black pepper, garlic, leeks, celery salt, and substitute apple juice for the water in the recipe. I usually omit the frying step and bake the casserole in the oven completely. This is also easily adaptable for the crockpot.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe, this is it. If you’re looking for economical, Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut is very economical per serving. If you’re looking for tasty, this recipe is grand in that department, too. The combination of flavors is wonderful.

Oh top of that sauerkraut is extremely healthy because of the processing it goes through–especially if you make your own! If you’re looking for a recipe with only a handful of ingredients, then Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut qualifies in that regard too!

When I first published this recipe way back in August 2012, I had been blogging less than six weeks. I was using a small iPhone 3 for a camera because that’s all I had. As a result, the pictures were not as clear and certainly not presented as well as I would have liked. I’ve been remaking all those first year recipes so I can retake the pictures and have better pictures to display for my followers.

To that end, I recently remade this recipe (August 2015), and updated the pictures. We had some friends recently move into a new home in the same neighborhood we are currently building a house. They are originally from Romania so they enjoy these old-world recipes.

I also made them a batch of Sweet and Sour Beets, along with Squash and Apple Bake, Lemon Coconut Pecan Cookies and some of my fantastic Peach Coffeecake Muffins. Ah, nothing like a wonderful home cooked meal on moving day when bodies are tired and the last thing you feel like doing is cooking! 🙂

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut is one of the quickest and easiest meals you will ever put together. This economical main dish has wonderful, savory flavors.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

The meat is very tender cooked this way and if you use bone-in ribs, it practically falls off the bone.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut is so succulent. The sauerkraut is mixed with apples, brown sugar, caraway seeds and onions so it doesn’t have a bitter taste like most sauerkraut does.

Here’s what I did.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

I used these ingredients.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

Pour UNDRAINED sauerkraut into a large mixing bowl. Don’t rinse the sauerkraut. You’ll want the flavor. Add brown sugar, diced onion, chopped apple, 1 tsp. caraway seeds and water.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

Stir to combine.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

Spread sauerkraut mixture on the bottom of a large 10×15″ casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place ribs on top of sauerkraut and sprinkle heavily with salt and pepper, if desired.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut is an easy no-fuss recipe that our family loves. Even non-sauerkraut lovers usually don’t mind it served after it’s been cooked with apples, onions, and brown sugar.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

We love Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut. It’s a delicious, gluten free alternative, main dish meal.

Here’s the recipe.

BAKED RIBS AND SAUERKRAUT

(Recipe adapted from Pillsbury Cookbook — Pillsbury now refers to this recipe as country-style ribs and sauerkraut)

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut

Teresa Ambra
Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut is a tasty and delicious pork main dish. The sauerkraut is combined with apples, onions, caraway seeds and brown sugar so it has a very pleasant taste rather than a bitter taste. This dish is gluten free.
3.93 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Pork Main Dish
Cuisine German
Servings 8
Calories 378 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables and apple
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs. boneless pork ribs you can also use spareribs or country-style ribs
  • 4 cups sauerkraut undrained, 1 lb. 12-oz. or 1 qt.
  • 2 tart apples peeled and chopped
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tbsp. light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp. caraway seeds

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a 9x13” greased pan, combine sauerkraut, apples, onion, water, caraway seeds and brown sugar.
  • Arrange ribs on top.
  • Bake, uncovered, 1 ½ to 2 hours or until ribs are tender, stirring occasionally.

Notes

NOTE: Other options include adding black pepper, garlic or garlic powder, celery salt or seed, and apple juice (instead of water), if desired.
 
Recipe adapted from Pillsbury.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 34gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 579mgPotassium: 736mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 3mg
Keyword pork, pork ribs, sauerkraut
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut[/b]
Recipe Type: Pork Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/country-style-ribs-and-sauerkraut/e48113e7-2bec-41b7-a538-1d322056c571″ target=”_blank” title=”country style ribs with sauerkraut”]Pillsbury[/url]
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Tasty and delicious pork main dish. The sauerkraut is combined with apples, onions, caraway seeds and brown sugar so it has a very pleasant taste rather than a bitter taste. This dish is gluten free.
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs. boneless pork ribs (you can also use spareribs or country-style ribs)
  • 4 cups (1 lb. 12-oz. or 1 qt.) undrained sauerkraut
  • 2 tart apples, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. caraway seeds
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. In a 9×13” greased pan, combine sauerkraut, apples, onion, water, caraway seeds and brown sugar.
  3. Arrange ribs on top.
  4. Bake, uncovered, 1 ½ to 2 hours or until ribs are tender, stirring occasionally.
Notes
Other options include adding black pepper, garlic or garlic powder, celery salt or seed, and apple juice (instead of water), if desired.
Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

You can use boneless ribs or country style ribs with the bone. Either way works wonderfully. This is a quick and easy company dish if your guests like sauerkraut.

Baked Ribs & Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | wonderful old-world recipe. The #sauerkraut is mixed with #apples, onions, brown sugar and caraway seeds for delightful taste. #pork #ribs

The seasonings in this main dish recipe are wonderful. The meat is very tender and works perfectly with the sauerkraut mixture.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Pork Roast with Sauerkraut

Pork Roast with Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | our favorite comfort food when we were growing up. This is terrific for #Easter & company dinners. Uses only a handful of ingredients so it's very easy. #glutenfree #sauerkraut #pork

Parmesan Pork Chops

Parmesan Pork Chops | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this easy 6-ingredient #porkchop dish can be oven ready in 5 minutes! The coating is absolutely mouthwatering. It's terrific for company or #holiday meals like #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #pork

Texas BBQ Ribs

Texas BBQ Ribs | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | my Mom's favorite #recipe for #ribs. We love the ease of these #BBQRibs & the tasty homemade #BBQ sauce. #Pork #PorkRibs #SpareRibs #GlutenFree #GlutenFreePorkRibs #TexasBBQRibs
Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut

Teresa Ambra
Baked Ribs and Sauerkraut is a tasty and delicious pork main dish. The sauerkraut is combined with apples, onions, caraway seeds and brown sugar so it has a very pleasant taste rather than a bitter taste. This dish is gluten free.
3.93 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Pork Main Dish
Cuisine German
Servings 8
Calories 378 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables and apple
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs. boneless pork ribs you can also use spareribs or country-style ribs
  • 4 cups sauerkraut undrained, 1 lb. 12-oz. or 1 qt.
  • 2 tart apples peeled and chopped
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tbsp. light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp. caraway seeds

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a 9×13” greased pan, combine sauerkraut, apples, onion, water, caraway seeds and brown sugar.
  • Arrange ribs on top.
  • Bake, uncovered, 1 ½ to 2 hours or until ribs are tender, stirring occasionally.

Notes

NOTE: Other options include adding black pepper, garlic or garlic powder, celery salt or seed, and apple juice (instead of water), if desired.
 
Recipe adapted from Pillsbury.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 34gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 579mgPotassium: 736mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 3mg
Keyword pork, pork ribs, sauerkraut
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

25 Comments

  • Mari

    August 30, 2020 at 3:40 pm

    Teresa, hello!
    I liked your site very much. It was created with such love for the kitchen. Such amazing recipes with history. I saw this from your answers. With your permission, I will try to implement the recipe for ribs with sauerkraut, because I especially love it. And knowing about other dishes with cabbage, I also agree with you that you need to cook for 2-3 hours.

    1. Teresa

      August 31, 2020 at 5:20 am

      Hope you enjoy the recipe, Mari.

  • Helena

    May 30, 2020 at 3:42 am

    Oh wow, this was so good! I mean, I love sauerkraut so I expected it to be good, but man oh man it was yummy.

    1. Teresa

      May 30, 2020 at 9:24 am

      Hi, Helena, this really is one of my favorites with sauerkraut. So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Have a great weekend.

  • GiGi G Collins

    January 1, 2020 at 4:37 am

    This sounds so good but I have back ribs. I wonder how I need to modify the recipe for that difference.

    1. Teresa

      January 1, 2020 at 7:53 am

      Hi, Gigi. I think it would probably turn out well with back ribs too.

      1. GiGi G Collins

        January 1, 2020 at 10:15 am

        Thank you! Happy New Year!

        1. Teresa

          January 1, 2020 at 11:16 am

          Hey, Gigi, just one more thing. The back ribs may cook more quickly than country style ribs. You may want to check them for doneness earlier than the other ribs.

          1. GiGi G Collins

            January 3, 2020 at 3:20 pm

            Teresa,

            Thank you so much! I made this for New Year’s Day with back ribs and it was incredibly delicious! I cooked it for maybe 45 minutes covered with foil and then uncovered for the remainder. I make ribs and sauerkraut (just those 2 things, plus brown sugar) for every New Year’s but wanted something a little extra this time and this recipe was perfect. Thanks again so much, and for following up a couple of times! This one is a keeper!

          2. Teresa

            January 4, 2020 at 10:31 am

            Hi, Gigi. So glad you and your family enjoyed this tasty and delicious recipe. It’s always been one of my favorites especially when I was a new cook. It didn’t have too many ingredients or too many instructions so it was easy for me (4 decades ago)! Anyway so happy it turned out well for you.

  • Billy

    October 26, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    I love dishes that include sauerkraut! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! Can’t wait to try it at home.

    1. Teresa

      October 26, 2017 at 8:16 pm

      Hi, Billy. This is really a terrific recipe. The apples, onions and brown sugar add fantastic flavor to the sauerkraut. Enjoy.

  • Christine DeKenipp

    October 24, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    Got mine in the oven now! Can’t wait to try this!!

    1. Teresa

      October 24, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      Hi, Christine. We love this recipe. The apples and brown sugar give it a wonderful flavor. Hope you enjoy it.

  • Tiny Kitchen Divas

    July 28, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Teresa. I love your blog and this recipe! I’m so happy to find it on Pinterest. Just want to personally thank you and let you know that I featured this recipe on my blog in my top 5 roaster recipes post.

    Here it is, http://tinykitchendivas.com/5-delicious-roaster-oven-recipes/

    Please let me know if I missed something or if you want to change and add information about your blog and recipe.

    Xoxo,
    Tiny Kitchen Divas

    P.s. Love your branding! I’m a new fan. 🙂

    1. Teresa

      July 30, 2016 at 11:23 am

      Thank you so much! I appreciate it. This is one of our favorite old-fashioned recipes.

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  • Anne

    February 27, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    This is a recipe that Pillsbury put out many years ago. The only thing different is the caraway seeds. It’s very good.

    1. Teresa

      February 27, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      Yes, Anne, it’s from my yellow Pillsbury cookbook, circa 1972 or so. We’ve always loved this recipe. The apples and brown sugar help to neutralize some of the vinegar from the sauerkraut. My kids used to love this when they were growing up. Thanks for stopping by.

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  • Michael Wilson

    December 14, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    Awesome recipe! I’m making this tonight. Thanks for a keeper recipe!

    1. Teresa

      December 14, 2013 at 8:24 pm

      I love the taste of this main dish. I hope you enjoy it.

      1. Anonymous

        March 31, 2014 at 11:44 am

        Love the taste but meat was way too tough and I only baked it for 1hour and 10 min.

        1. Teresa

          March 31, 2014 at 8:15 pm

          Sorry yours didn’t turn out. Normally, this needs to be slow cooked in the oven a lot longer than an hour. Two or three hours usually does the trick.

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3.93 from 13 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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