Warm Apple and Sauerkraut Skillet (Print Version)

Caramelized apples and tangy sauerkraut unite in this warm, probiotic-rich skillet dish with honey and toasted nuts.

# Ingredient List:

→ Produce

01 - 2 large apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and sliced
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 cups sauerkraut, drained
04 - 2 cups baby spinach or arugula

→ Fats & Oils

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter

→ Seasonings

06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground caraway seeds, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

→ Garnishes

10 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
02 - Add sliced apples and onions to the hot skillet. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are golden brown and onions are softened.
03 - Drizzle in honey or maple syrup, then sprinkle with caraway seeds if using, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat evenly and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Fold in drained sauerkraut and warm through for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through but not dried out.
05 - Remove from heat. Gently toss in baby spinach or arugula until just wilted from residual heat.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter. Top with toasted nuts and fresh parsley.
07 - Serve immediately while warm, or allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort food but feels light and alive on your palate, which is honestly the dream.
  • The whole thing comes together in 25 minutes, so you can serve something genuinely impressive on a Tuesday.
  • Probiotics meet caramelized sweetness in a way that makes your body and taste buds equally happy.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining your sauerkraut thoroughly, or the whole skillet becomes soggy and loses that beautiful tangy-sweet balance—I learned this the hard way.
  • Medium heat is your friend here because high heat will burn the apples on the outside before they caramelize through, leaving you with hard centers and bitter edges.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts right in the skillet after you remove the salad—just a few minutes over medium-low heat fills your kitchen with an aroma that tells everyone something good just happened in your kitchen.
  • Make this ahead and reheat gently in a low oven, and it actually tastes better the next day because the flavors have had time to become friends with each other.
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