German-Style Red Cabbage Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

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Don’t wait until Oktoberfest to make this German-Style Red Cabbage. Braised in a skillet with green apples and a hint of cloves, this recipe is a hit with all ages.

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German Red Cabbage Recipe

I tend to gravitate towards green cabbage more often than red cabbage; so when I found this Oktoberfest Red Cabbage Recipe in The Best of Country Cooking Cook Book, I was intrigued.

What I discovered is a home-run way to saute red cabbage. This recipe has green apples and sugar for a sweet flavor that is balanced out with white vinegar right before serving. Truth be told, you can leave out the vinegar if you’d like. I like it both ways.

This red cabbage recipe is simply seasoned with salt, pepper and ground cloves.

I love ground cloves. My Grandma always used her garden tomatoes to make the most delicious Homemade Ketchup recipe which also contains ground cloves. One sniff of the little canister, and my Grandma is back in my kitchen helping me.

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Ingredient List

  • Olive Oil
  • Red Cabbage
  • Green Apples (tart apples)
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Salt and Black Pepper
  • Ground cloves
  • Water
  • White Vinegar

How to Make German Red Cabbage

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Using a sharp knife, remove the outer leaves and stem from the cabbage. Shred the cabbage.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Saute over medium heat shredded red cabbage and chopped green apples for 4-5 minutes or until cabbage begins to wilt.
  3. Add sugar, salt, pepper, ground cloves and water.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce heat to a simmer.
  5. Cover the pan, and continue to cook for 35-45 minutes or until tender.
  6. Add vinegar and stir before serving.

Storage Instructions

Let cooked cabbage cool; transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

For the full instructions and ingredient list for German Red Cabbage, scroll to the bottom of this page.

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Recipe FAQs

  • The easiest way to shred a cabbage is using a food processor.
  • Substitute bacon grease or canola oil for olive oil if desired.
  • Tart green apples work best for this sauteed red cabbage recipe. Peel the apples first.
  • Never used ground cloves? It’s one of my favorite spices, similar to cinnamon or nutmeg.
  • While braising the red cabbage, stir occasionally. Be sure to make sure the liquid doesn’t all absorb. If it does and you aren’t paying attention, the cabbage could burn due to the sugar in the recipe.
  • Use a large skillet or Dutch-oven while sauteing the red cabbage.

Recipe Variations

  • Use butter instead of olive oil.
  • Add a bay leaf for a little more flavor.
  • Substitute apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for while vinegar.
  • Slice a medium onion, and add it to the cabbage as it cooks.

More Cabbage Recipes

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Sweet and Sour Coleslaw

Creamy Cabbage

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German-Style Red Cabbage Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (11)

Print Recipe

German-Style Red Cabbage

Don't wait until Oktoberfest to make this German-Style Red Cabbage. Braised in a skillet with green apples and a hint of cloves, this recipe is a hit with all ages.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: braised red cabbage, german braised red cabbage recipe, German red cabbage, german-style red cabbage, oktoberfest red cabbage, red cabbage and apples, red cabbage recipes, sauteed red cabbage

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 128kcal

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 head red cabbage, shredded
  • 2 green apples, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat; add the shredded cabbage and apples, and saute, stirring often for 4-5 minutes.

    German-Style Red Cabbage Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (12)

  • Add sugar, salt, pepper, ground cloves and water; bring to the mixture to a boil.

    German-Style Red Cabbage Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (13)

  • Reduce heat to a simmer, cover with a lid. Cook for 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the cabbage is tender. Watch the mixture to make sure the liquid doesn't completely absorb and the cabbage doesn't burn.

    German-Style Red Cabbage Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (14)

  • Turn off the heat, and add vinegar. Stir to combine.

    German-Style Red Cabbage Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (15)

Notes

  • The easiest way to shred a cabbage is using a food processor.
  • Tart green apples work best for this sauteed red cabbage recipe. Peel the apples first.
  • Substitute bacon grease or canola oil for olive oil if desired.
  • Never used ground cloves? It’s one of my favorite spices, similar to cinnamon or nutmeg.
  • While braising the red cabbage, stir occasionally. Be sure to make sure the liquid doesn’t all absorb. If it does and you aren’t paying attention, the cabbage could burn due to the sugar in the recipe.
  • Use a large skillet or Dutch-oven while sauteing the red cabbage.
  • Love cabbage? Try Fried Green Cabbage with Bacon.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 304mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1195IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

German-Style Red Cabbage Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

Does red cabbage cook differently than green cabbage? ›

Red and green cabbage can be used interchangeably in most recipes. The difference between cooking green cabbage and red cabbage is just one extra step. The compounds that give red cabbage its color, called anthocyanins, are water-soluble and will turn an unappetizing blue color when cooked.

How do you eat jarred red cabbage? ›

If you place it carefully on a hotdog along with green relish, you get a hotdog with seasonal colors, and it tastes pretty good. If you have roast duck and then have leftovers, it will go well with cold duck. It will also go well with cold pork. It might make a good contribution to salad.

What can you use when cooking red cabbage to retain the colour? ›

Lock in the colour by adding a touch of vinegar when cooking red cabbage in water. This stops the lovely deep purple hue from running.

How do you cook Delia cabbage? ›

What I do is pack it down quite tightly into a saucepan, sprinkle with salt, then place the pan over a high heat, pour in boiling water from the kettle, which re-boils instantly, and time it for 3-5 minutes. The one way to tell if it's cooked is to bite a piece, as you would pasta.

Which is healthier red cabbage or green cabbage? ›

While both green and red cabbage are excellent sources of this potent antioxidant, red cabbage contains significantly more ( 2 , 22 ). One cup (89 g) of chopped red cabbage packs in 56% of the recommended intake for vitamin C, which is the same amount found in a small orange ( 22 , 23 ).

Is red cabbage healthier than regular cabbage? ›

But red cabbage has higher levels of some types of antioxidants than other types of cabbage. These nutrients are thought to help reduce the risk of health conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

Is jarred red cabbage healthy? ›

2,3 Additionally, red cabbage also contains high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin K. 3 Together, these two nutrients assist with skin health, wound healing, blood clotting and bone health! 4,5 This pickled red cabbage packs a punch in both flavor and nutrition.

Why do you soak red cabbage in water? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

What is the healthiest way to eat red cabbage? ›

Healthy red cabbage recipes
  1. Mulled red cabbage with clementines. ...
  2. Braised red cabbage with cider & apples. ...
  3. Red cabbage with Bramley apple & walnuts. ...
  4. Easy red cabbage. ...
  5. Red cabbage with mulled Port & pears. ...
  6. Beetroot & red cabbage sauerkraut. ...
  7. Red cabbage with carrot & edamame beans. ...
  8. Quick pickled cabbage.

What does lemon juice do to red cabbage? ›

Substances such as lemon juice and vinegar turn the cabbage juice red because they are acidic. Ammonia turns the cabbage juice into a blue/green color because it is a base, a material that tastes bitter and makes an acid neutral. Water does nothing, as it is a neutral.

What happens when you add baking soda to red cabbage? ›

The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution based on the color that it changes. The vinegar will turn the cabbage juice red because it is an acid (acetic acid). The baking soda will turn the cabbage juice greenish-yellow because it is a base (sodium bicarbonate).

What meat goes well with red cabbage? ›

Sweet and sour red cabbage is a perfect side dish for sausages, pork chops, schnitzel or German pork burgers. This braised cabbage also pairs well with roast chicken, duck, and roast beef.

How do you cook red cabbage Mary Berry? ›

Add the onion and cabbage and fry for 3–4 minutes. Add the cider and redcurrant jelly, season with salt and pepper, bring to the boil and boil for a few minutes. 3. Cover the pan with a lid and place in the oven for 3–4 hours until completely tender.

How to cook cabbage Jamie Oliver? ›

Wash and drain your cabbage leaves, getting rid of any tough stalks. Add to a large pan of salted boiling water, bring back to the boil then cook on a medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain well in a colander and leave to cool. Carefully squeeze the cabbage leaves to get rid of any excess moisture.

Why do you put baking soda in cabbage? ›

Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

Can you cook red cabbage the same as green? ›

Since its structure and flavor are so similar, red cabbage can be used just like green cabbage, although it's especially good at brightening up a salad with a pop of color. Its vibrant hue does tend to seep out and color the ingredients around it, so keep that in mind.

Does red cabbage taste different when cooked? ›

When cooked, the texture and flavor of red cabbage changes rather significantly. Its crispness gives way to a tender, almost melt-in-the-mouth consistency. The earthy notes become more pronounced, while its peppery edge softens, allowing the vegetable's inherent sweetness to shine through.

Can red cabbage be boiled like green cabbage? ›

Red cabbage can also be boiled. To preserve the crunch, cook in salted boiling water with a teaspoon of vinegar for 5 minutes unless a softer consistency is desired in which case cook for a little longer.

Does red cabbage taste the same as green cabbage when cooked? ›

Size And Taste

Aside from the noticeable difference in color, red cabbage has an earthier taste and bulbs are smaller and denser. Green cabbage tends to turn sweeter when it cooks and a little bigger in size than the red.

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