This pork sauerbraten is a German braised pork loin, marinated overnight and braised in the Ninja Possible Cooker Pro. Whole gingersnaps melt into the braising juices for a smooth, tangy gravy with no flour at all.
If your pork loin has a fat cap, you can score it in a crosshatch with a sharp knife, about ¼ inch deep. You want to see the meat but not cut into it. Scoring is optional; skip it if you want an unbroken fat cap after broiling.
2½-3 lb pork loin
Rub the 2 teaspoons of fine grain sea salt over the whole pork loin, both sides and the ends, pressing it into any cuts. Use all of the salt. Refrigerate the pork while you make and chill the marinade, or leave it at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
2 tsp fine grain sea salt
Slice the washed, unpeeled carrot about ½ inch thick and the peeled onion ¼ to ½ inch thick. Add them to a 2½ to 3 quart pot with 2 bay leaves and the sprig of rosemary, bruised a little.
1 carrot, 1 medium onion, 2 bay leaves, 1 sprig fresh rosemary
Lightly crack 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns and 1 teaspoon of mustard seed in a mortar and pestle and add them to the pot with 5 or 6 whole cloves and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Pour in 1 cup of red wine vinegar, 1 cup of dry red wine and 1 cup of water.
1 tsp black peppercorns, 1 tsp mustard seed, 5-6 whole cloves, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 cup red wine vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 cup dry red wine
Bring the marinade to a full rolling boil on the stovetop, then reduce the heat to about medium and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Chill the marinade completely. Set the pot in an ice bath, put the pot in the refrigerator, or pour it into a shallow container, which chills the fastest.
Place the pork in a gallon zip-top bag. Add the marinade vegetables and spices, then pour in the liquid. Seal the bag most of the way, push out the air so the pork is completely submerged, and seal. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. 12 hours is ideal; never go past 24 hours or the meat turns mushy.
Set the Ninja Possible Cooker Pro to Sear/Sauté on High and press Start to preheat. Meanwhile, drain the pork over a colander set in a large bowl. Reserve the juices (about 2 cups) and discard the vegetables and spices. Blot the pork with paper towels, especially the fat cap.
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of avocado oil to the hot pot. Place the pork in fat side down and leave it alone for 5 minutes. Carefully flip it (the oil can pop), turn the heat down to Low and sear for 4 to 5 minutes. Then sear each side for about 2 minutes. Remove the pork from the pot and set it on a tray for later
1-2 tbsp avocado oil
Turn the pot back to High and pour in the reserved juices. Bring them to a full rolling boil, stirring, and skim off any foam if you like. Boil for about 5 minutes, no longer. If you have less than 2 cups of juices, you can add a little chicken broth.
2 cups reserved marinade juices
Turn the pot off. Return the pork fat side up and add 1 bay leaf. Select Braise, press Start and set the time to 1 hour, the lowest setting. Put the lid on. Check the internal temperature at 45 minutes; the pork is done at about 140℉/60℃. Turn the oven broiler on.
1 bay leaf
Lift the pork out onto a broiler-safe pan and broil for about 5 minutes to crisp the fat cap again.
While the pork broils, remove the bay leaf from the braising liquid. Add 10 to 12 whole gingersnaps and let them dissolve for a few minutes, then stir until the gravy thickens. Season with ¼ teaspoon of allspice, ½ teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, or to taste. Turn the pot off.
10-12 gingersnap cookies, ¼ tsp ground allspice, ½ tsp fine grain sea salt, 1 tbsp brown sugar
Slice the pork and serve it with the gingersnap gravy spooned over the top.
PREP TIPS • Salt the pork before you start the marinade. The salt seasons the meat from within while the marinade cooks and cools, and it's not salty, I promise. • Plan ahead: the pork marinates for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator. That time is not included in the total time on this card. • Make the marinade first and chill it completely before it goes on the pork.COOKING TIPS • Let the pot get super hot before the pork goes in, and leave it alone fat side down so it browns well. • • The internal temperature keeps rising as the pork sits, so pull it at about 140℉/60℃. If you like your pork cooked a little longer, you can increase the time.MARINADE TIPS • This is a very acidic marinade. Cap it at 24 hours or the pork will turn mushy. • A shallow container chills the marinade the fastest. The less depth it has, the quicker it cools down.Food Safety TIPS • Always boil the reserved juices for about 5 minutes. Raw pork was sitting in them, and the braise alone may not bring them to a boil. STORAGE • Store leftover pork and gravy in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. • Reheat the slices gently in the gravy so they stay moist.NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER Nutritional information provided is an estimate based on typical ingredient values and standard portion sizes. Actual nutritional content may vary significantly depending on specific brands used, ingredient substitutions, preparation methods, portion sizes, and individual cooking techniques. For precise nutritional information tailored to your specific ingredients and preparation, please consult with a registered dietitian or use laboratory analysis. This information should not be used for medical nutrition therapy or to manage medical conditions without professional guidance.