Braised Red Cabbage—a comforting side dish—is sweet, sour, and beautifully vibrant!
Braised red cabbage might be one of the greatest underrated vegetable side dishes. It’s especially popular in Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, where it’s considered comfort food and enjoyed during the winter months. Fortunately, you don’t have to go overseas to eat braised red cabbage because it’s easy to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make your own braised cabbage, giving you a sweet-and-sour side dish fit for a special occasion.
If you’re skeptical about the taste of cabbage, don’t be. This recipe contains other delicious and aromatic ingredients, such as onion, apple, and allspice. This helps create a diverse flavor profile, especially once you let all the ingredients braise together for an hour. You’ll be amazed at how tasty and nutritious braised red cabbage can be. Plus, it can serve as the perfect side dish for a wide variety of meals.
Is Braised Red Cabbage Healthy?
Braised red cabbage is a healthy side dish for many diets. It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan. Red cabbage offers vitamin C, K, and B6. Apples are another healthy addition, providing a rich source of fiber. There is some brown sugar in this recipe, which should be taken into consideration for certain diets. If desired, it can be replaced with coconut sugar or date syrup, which is an all-natural whole-food sweetener.
Braised Red Cabbage In Europe
Braised red cabbage is a beloved dish across Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Though the preparation is similar, each country serves it slightly different. In Germany, for example, the dish is known as Rotkohl or Blaukraut. It often includes a balance of sweet and tangy flavors, achieved with ingredients like apple slices, sugar, and vinegar. Common spices include cloves, bay leaves, and sometimes juniper berries. It’s typically served alongside pork, duck, thick German sausages (Bratwurst), or potato dumplings.
In the Netherlands, the dish goes by the name of rode kool met appeltjes (literally, “red cabbage with little apples”). Dutch versions emphasize sweetness, often using cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of apple syrup to enhance the flavors. It is often served with rich meats such as beef stews (hachee) or meatballs (gehaktballen) and creamy mashed potatoes.
In Scandinavia, braised red cabbage, called rødkål in Danish and Norwegian, and punakaali in Finnish, is a must-have during festive meals, especially at Christmas. The Scandinavian version often includes allspice, cardamom, and lingonberry or cranberry for tartness. It’s served alongside roast pork, duck, or meatballs.
How To Make Ahead And Store
It’s a good idea to make braised red cabbage the day before it’s consumed, as this gives the flavors time to meld. It will be good in the fridge for at least 2 days when stored in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Braised red cabbage can be used as a side dish for a variety of meals, including sausages and roasted meats. Specifically, try it with a German dish like these Air-Fryer Brats. It will also go well with Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs or Homemade Orange Chicken. Cabbage complements pork dishes well, including this Air-Fryer Pork Tenderloin and even this Asian Instant-Pot Pork Tenderloin. Be sure to give them a try!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large red onion thinly sliced
- 1 medium red cabbage cored and sliced
- 2 apples cored and sliced
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Instructions
- Preheat a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes, until they become soft and translucent.
- Add the sliced red cabbage and apples to the pot, followed by the apple cider vinegar, water, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and allspice. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the cabbage braise for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until it is tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve warm as a delightful side dish.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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