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Easy Braised Red Cabbage (with Apples and Onions!)

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This easy and flavorful braised red cabbage side is a classic, budget-friendly side dish made with tender, sweet cabbage, apples, and onions.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
ยฃ0.22
Makes: 10 People
Side
German, Polish, Swedish
Freezable

This braised red cabbage dish is an easy, flavorful side dish that the whole family will love. Made with apples, onions, and red cabbage, these three ingredients are cooked into the perfect sweet and tender medley for a cost-friendly weeknight meal side. This take on a classic winter dish will help beef up any meal for a more filling lunch or dinner.

braised red cabbage in a blue and white speckled bowl on a purple background

Why youโ€™ll love this recipe

  • Full of flavor: Even with simple ingredients, this braised red cabbage recipe packs a punch in the flavour department. Stewed with onion, garlic, and spices, this recipe is as flavorful as it gets!
  • Quick and Easy: This braised purple cabbage only takes about 10 minutes to prep. The rest of the cook time is pretty hands-off for this braised cabbage recipe, making it easy to whip up other dishes while the cabbage cooks.
  • Budget-friendly: This braised cabbage red dish comes out to about ยฃ0.22 per serving, so itโ€™s an affordable way to bulk up meals.
  • Helps bulk up a plate: Since itโ€™s affordable and easy to make, itโ€™s the perfect way to make meals heartier and more filling.
  • Lots of nutrients: One of the best parts about this braised red cabbage is itโ€™s full of vitamins and minerals. It has fibre, antioxidants, and other necessary daily vitamins, so itโ€™s great for boosting the nutrition in a meal.

There are tons of recipes you can make with leftover cabbage! Try these out: Easy Sauteed Savoy Cabbage, Easiest Creamed Cabbage Recipe Ever!, or Red Cabbage Soup with Feta.

What is braised red cabbage?

This yummy side dish comes from Germany, Poland, and Sweden. It’s a traditional dish with shredded red cabbage cooked low and slow with butter (or olive oil) until it’s tender and sweet. Often, it’s made with apples, which help create a tangy taste. When braised red cabbage is done cooking, you can expect a brightly coloured dish that melts in your mouth.

How do you cut cabbage?

Depending on which red cabbage recipes you follow, you may need to chop the cabbage thinner or thicker. With my version of braised red cabbage, I recommend chopping it in half and removing the core first. Then, slicing the cabbage thinly. This step will help the cabbage cook and become tender more quickly.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the braised red cabbage in the oven laid out on a pale blue background and labeled with arrows.

Red Cabbage
This ingredient is the base for any braised red cabbage dish. You can also use green cabbage, but it wonโ€™t be quite as sweet.

Green Apple
Including apples in braised red cabbage recipes helps add texture and flavour to the dish. You can use any semi-tart apples for this recipe, but make sure they’re not too soft, or they will dissolve as they’re cooked. Options like Jonathan, McIntosh, or Braeburn work well.

Apple Cider Vinegar
This vinegar adds sweetness to boiled cabbage. It also helps balance out the flavours of the cabbage and keeps its bright red colour. Other options like balsamic and red wine vinegar are also tasty in this recipe.

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

Try these variations next time you cook red cabbage for a fun twist on this recipe!

  • Instead of green apples, use Jonathon, Pink Lady, or McIntosh to make braised red cabbage.
  • You can also use shredded green cabbage instead of red, with the main difference being the colour of the dish and the amount of sweetness that comes out after cooking the cabbage.
  • For a more filling side dish, add sausage or bacon. These ingredients will also boost the flavour of this red cabbage recipe. Add chopped fennel, a bay leaf (or a few), or cloves for even more flavour.

How to make Braised Red Cabbage

  1. Slice the cabbage in half and then remove the core and slice into even slices with a sharp knife (Image 1).
  2. Place the sliced cabbage into a large sauce pan or stock pan (Image 2).
Two step by step photos with the first showing sliced cabbage on a wooden cutting board with a chef's knife and the second showing the chopped cabbage added to a stock pot.

3. Add sliced red onion and grated apple, then add water and season generously with salt and pepper (Image 3).

4. Cover and cook 30 minutes on low to medium heat. Then uncover, add the garlic, apple cider vinegar, and cinnamon. Recover and cook 30 more minutes or until done. (Image 4).

Two step by step photos with the first showing sliced onions and shredded apple in the stock pot with the sliced cabbage dnd the second showing the finished braised red cabbage with a wooden spoon sticking out of the center.

Here are some more yummy ways to use up extra cabbage: Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce, Budget Green Goddess Salad, or Chicken Vermicelli Noodles.

up close image of braised red cabbage in a blue speckled bowl on a light purple background.

Tips for the best result

  • Keep testing it. The cooking time is best determined by you deciding what texture you want your braised red cabbage to be, so keep testing it throughout the cooking process. If itโ€™s not tender enough, try cooking it for another 5-10 minutes or until you achieve the tenderness you want.
  • Add splashes of water when the cabbage seems dry. You may need to do this step just before serving. If you want your cabbage cooked in the oven, be sure to check it every so often to be sure thereโ€™s enough water.

Can you make this ahead?

This is the best red cabbage recipe because it holds up well in the fridge and freezer. That means you can make braised red cabbage for up to three months before you want to enjoy it. You can also toss it in a crockpot to cook while you’re at work or school and then enjoy it when you get home.

Serving Suggestions

Braised red cabbage works well with quite a few dishes! Try it with sausages, pork chops, schnitzel, goose, duck, or roast chicken. It pairs well with most meats, even steak! You can also enjoy this recipe for red cabbage on sandwiches or wraps.

close up shot of braised red cabbage with wooden spoon in a stock pot.

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

I love making this red cabbage and apple recipe, as it can sit in the fridge or freezer for quite a while!

Refrigerator โ€“ Let the braised red cabbage cool fully. Then, put it in an airtight container or bag. It can stay in the fridge for up to five days.

Freezer โ€“ Once the cabbage is cool, place it in airtight bags in your desired portions. Then, freeze for up to three months. When youโ€™re ready to eat the braised cabbage and apples, defrost them in the fridge overnight. Then, enjoy cold or reheat with the instructions below.

Reheat โ€“ To reheat this recipe, place a portion of the cabbage in a saucepan and heat on low until warmed through. It should take about 5 โ€“ 10 minutes. Be sure to add water if you see the cabbage drying out.

Recipe FAQs

Why is my braised red cabbage bitter?

There are a few reasons why you may notice a bitter taste in your braised red cabbage. If you use cabbage that has been sitting in your fridge for a while, it may have a more bitter taste. Additionally, if you overcook the red cabbage and apples, you may notice a bitter flavour. Try adding a bit more salt, a little bit of brown sugar, or seasoning to help cut the bitterness of cooked cabbage.

Why is vinegar added to cabbage?

Vinegar helps preserve the colour of the cabbage and balances out the recipe’s flavours.

Do you need to wash red cabbage before cooking?

I always recommend washing red cabbage well before cooking it, as this helps remove dirt and debris.

Can you eat braised red cabbage cold?

Absolutely! I love eating braised cabbage and apples cold. It’s similar to enjoying cole slaw. When it’s cold, you can add it to sandwiches, wraps, etc., for extra flavour.

Can this be cooked in a crock pot?

Yes, you can cook this cabbage recipe in the crockpot. Simply toss all the braised cabbage ingredients in a slow cooker and cover, then cook for about four hours on low or seven hours on high.

close up shot of braised red cabbage in a blue and white speckled bowl on a purple background.

Pair these tasty mains with the braised red cabbage for a more filling meal: Crispy Pork Schnitzel, Air Fryer Chicken Bites, or Thin Pork Chops in Air Fryer.

If you tried this Braised Red Cabbage, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys ๐Ÿ’› Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

Easy Braised Red Cabbage

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
ยฃ0.22
Side
German, Polish, Swedish
Freezable
Servings: 10
This easy and flavorful braised red cabbage side is a classic, budget-friendly side dish made with tender, sweet cabbage, apples, and onions.

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of cabbage, core removed and thinly sliced (ยฃ1)
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced (ยฃ0.15)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (ยฃ0.39)
  • 50 g butter, melted (ยฃ1.89/5= ยฃ0.38)
  • 1 green apple, peeled and coarsely grated (ยฃ1.69/6=ยฃ0.28)

Cupboard Essentials:

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 200 ml water
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Method

  • Slice the cabbage in half, then remove the core. Thinly slice the cabbage into even, thin slices.
  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan, then add the cabbage, red onion, grated apple, and 100ml of water. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and cook over low to medium heat for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, remove the lid and stir to combine. If the water has completely evaporated, add another 100ml. Then, add the garlic, apple cider vinegar, and cinnamon.
  • Stir well, cover again (allowing some steam to escape), and cook for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper, then enjoy!

Notes

ย 
  • To achieve the desired texture for your braised red cabbage, keep testing it during cooking. If itโ€™s not tender enough, extend the cooking time by 5-10 minutes.
  • If the cabbage appears dry, add splashes of water, especially just before serving. For oven cooking, regularly check to ensure there’s enough moisture.

Nutrition

Servings: 10 servings
Fat: 4.3g
Calories: 74.4kcal
Carbohydrates: 9.3g
Protein: 1.6g

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Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I hope you loved it. Iโ€™d be so grateful if you could leave a comment/rating - it makes my day hearing your feedback!

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