Creamy Slow Cooker Sauerkraut Stew: Easy Family Favorite Recipe

It's been years since I last savored a hearty sauerkraut stew, but this slow cooker version has won over my whole family. Even my husband Frank, who typically finds sauerkraut too tangy, loves it—as do the kids! As a seasoned home cook with years of slow cooker expertise, I can attest this dish is simple to prepare and yields exceptional flavor with hands-off cooking.

This guide shares my trusted slow cooker recipe. Craving more slow cooker ideas? I've perfected dozens over the years.

Table of contents

Slow Cooker Sauerkraut Stew

First, here's the precise ingredient list. I'll walk you through the slow cooker steps, plus a stovetop option for those without one. This stew shines with smoked sausage, but it also pairs beautifully with my signature hash.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Sauerkraut Stew

• 2-3 packages of sauerkraut (500-750 grams)
• 1 kilo of potatoes
• half can of pineapple (or an apple)
• 250 grams of bacon
• 2 onions
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 300 ml of water
• stock cube (vegetable stock or chicken stock)
• 6 cloves
• 2-3 bay leaves
• optionally add smoked sausage, for example

A small amount of water creates that creamy texture—no milk required, as my testing confirms.

How to Make Slow Cooker Sauerkraut Stew

Opting for the slow cooker? Smart choice. Prep is quick, then let it simmer all day. At dinner, just mash and serve 😊.

1. Rinse the sauerkraut in a colander under cold water and squeeze it well
2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into equal cubes of 2-3 centimeters
3. Cut the pineapple (or apple) into small pieces, this is for the 'sweetness' in the stew
4. Chop the onions
5. Crush the garlic
6. Fry the onions with the garlic in a little oil until the onion becomes translucent
7. Fry the bacon in the pan
8. Put the cloves and bay leaf in a tea infuser
9. Put the potato, sauerkraut, pineapple (or apple), and onion with garlic in the slow cooker
10. Add the fried bacon (or sprinkle it on top later)
11. Add water and stock cubes and toss briefly
12. Add the tea egg to the slow cooker
13. Remove the smoked sausage from the packaging and place it on top of the sauerkraut in the slow cooker
14. 8 hours on low

Your stew is ready—mash it in a separate pan to protect your slow cooker. The slow cooker's magic infuses deep flavors from the cloves and bay leaves, making it my go-to method.

Stovetop Sauerkraut Stew (No Slow Cooker Needed)

1. Cook the potatoes together with the sauerkraut for over 25 minutes in the stock, with tea egg with bay leaf and cloves
2. Fry the bacon while in the pan
3. Fry the onions with the garlic
4. When the potatoes are cooked, drain them first. Try to catch the stock so that you can add it if necessary to make the sauerkraut stew smoother
5. Mash everything together, add some more stock if needed (or milk for the real enthusiast)