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

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.

Linking up to Meal Plan Monday.

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? ›

Before cooking, remove any tired or discoloured leaves and always cook red cabbage with a little vinegar. This preserves the beautiful purple colour – without it, the cabbage will turn blue!

Can you buy braised red cabbage? ›

Suitable for Vegans. Free From: Artificial Colours, Artificial Flavours.

Which is healthier red cabbage or green cabbage? ›

In comparison to green cabbage, red cabbage contains 10x more vitamins, cancer-fighting flavonoids, and a winning amount of antioxidants which improve eye, teeth, bone, & immune health.

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.

What can I do with a jar of pickled red cabbage? ›

Use it as a side dish to brighten up your plate or as an ingredient in your favourite salads and slaws. Our Pickled Red Cabbage comes in a convenient 710g jar that is easy to store in your fridge and use whenever you need it. It's perfect for meal prep or for adding a touch of flavour to your everyday cooking.

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 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.

Why is vinegar added to red cabbage? ›

When you sauté red cabbage, the acids evaporate off and it can turn blue. All you have to do is add lemon juice or vinegar to bring back the bright red color. For this same reason, you may have seen a blue circle around the cherries in cherry muffins.

What is the healthiest way to eat red cabbage? ›

It's delicious raw, steamed, sauteed, and fermented. It retains the most nutrients when it's eaten raw, but is still highly nutritious when cooked.

Why is my braised red cabbage bitter? ›

Why is my cooked cabbage bitter? The most common error in cooking cabbage occurs when it is over cooked or in water. You should be cooking it dry, as in no water. Use a good quality oil and caramelize your thinly sliced cabbage it will not get bitter.

Why is red cabbage so expensive? ›

Generally, cabbage needs a lot of water to grow and if there's not enough it can't reach reach its full bloom. Thus, this leads to a shortage of cabbage, leading its prices to go up. Cabbage is a crop that grows best during specific times, making it challenging for farmers.

Does Trader Joe's have red cabbage? ›

Kale. Brussels sprouts. Broccoli. Green and red cabbage.

Can you cook red cabbage the same as green? ›

You can cook them in a variety of ways, including braising, roasting, and sautéing. Red cabbage is usually a bit sweeter than green cabbage but both have a somewhat nutty flavor. If you're looking for a way to spruce up your cabbage dishes, cooking red and green cabbage together is a way to do it.

Does red cabbage taste different when cooked? ›

Red cabbage has a bolder, more peppery, and almost floral flavor as compared with regular green cabbage, which is milder and more vegetal. Cooking it tends to mellow the flavors, and it can also bring out sweet notes as well.

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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