Pork and Sauerkraut Reimagined

If there’s a holiday tradition that’s quintessentially Pennsylvania, it’s starting off the new year with a hearty meal of pork and sauerkraut.

A Pennsylvania Dutch staple, pork and sauerkraut has long been considered a New Years good luck charm in the Keystone State. And there’s another reason for the dish’s popularity beyond symbolism: It uses ingredients readily found fresh from Pennsylvania farms.

The Keystone State ranks 12th in the nation for pork production, with more than 502 million pounds produced in the state annually. There’s also plenty of cabbage grown here. In 2017 (the most recent year for which data is available), 564 Pennsylvania farms harvested a combined 1,205 acres of cabbage. That’s more than 47 million pounds!

So if you’re all about keeping with tradition, go ahead and whip up that recipe for pork and sauerkraut dinner you learned from your grandmother. It will be delicious.

But if you’re feeling a little adventurous this New Year’s Day, why not try one of these recipes that put a unique spin on the classic. We included two of our Positively Pennsylvania originals and scoured the web for some other recipe ideas. Happy cooking!

Pork and Sauerkraut Potstickers

Try a Pennsylvania Dutch spin on this classic, Chinese dish.

Grilled Beer Brats

Who says you can’t mix Oktoberfest for New Year’s? Just make sure to use pork sausage.

Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bratwurst

This New York Times recipe lightens up the New Year’s classic, turning it into a pasta dish and brightening up the plate with some green herbs and veggies.

SaveNYT Cooking: This zesty pasta is a playful riff on choucroute garnie, the classic Alsatian dish. The usual suspects (pork and cabbage) show up in the form of bratwurst, brussels sprouts and sauerkraut. Instead of potatoes, pasta joins the party and everything comes together in a tangy sauce of Parmesan, sour cream and fresh dill. Buy sauerkraut that looks fresh and crunchy for best flavor and texture. For a...Positively PennsylvaniaPork and Sauerkraut

Ham, Bean and Bacon Soup with Sauerkraut

Two kinds of pork combine with sauerkraut for this hearty, stick-to-your-bones soup to warm you up in the dead of winter.

SaveHam, Bean and Bacon Soup with SauerkrautFood NetworkHam, Bean and Bacon Soup with Sauerkraut By Rachael Ray

Sauerkraut Strudel

It has bacon, it has sauerkraut, it’s…strudel? This savory pastry will make you think about strudel in a whole different way.

SaveSauerkraut Strudel - An Easy Savory Strudel Recipe (You Need)Craft BeeringGerman strudel recipes always include a sauerkraut strudel and this one with bacon is absolutely worth your attention. Easy to find igredients & fast work.

Smoked Sausage ‘Reuben’

Part New York-style hot dog, part reuben, part polish delicacy, this dish contains your New Year’s pork and sauerkraut and a whole lot of other flavor on a bun. Just be sure to use pork sausage.

SaveThe Smoked Sausage "Reuben" Roll with Homemade Russian DressingThe Cozy Apron