Oma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

My daughter just came out of her room and says “the house smells like Christmas, how long have I been studying?” It’s true, even though red cabbage doesn’t take much time to make, and fits with a lot of different meats… in our house, I usually make it for the holidays. My German red cabbage recipe is actually my mother’s red cabbage recipe. Only, this year I realized it was time to measure things and write them down (well, mostly… how much wine goes into the red cabbage versus how much goes in to the chef is entirely your choice). Then of course, I forgot to take photos (Christmas time is crazy enough without me trying to photograph every meal…). So today, a random Wednesday, we are having red cabbage with dinner! And the house smells like Christmas.

Rotkohl or Blaukraut

Just like Potato Salad, there are approximately 954,507 ways to make German Red Cabbage. Some people make it with bacon, or added pork fats, and I’ve seen recipes that add cornstarch to thicken it. Some are cooked long, some short. Red Cabbage even comes with different names depending on where you are in Germany. At Christmas in OUR house it was Rotkohl (red cabbage), on alternate Christmas’s in my Bavarian god-mother’s house, it was Blau Kraut (blue cabbage).

This recipe that I grew up with isn’t cooked down as far, and since there is no meat, it works as a nice vegetarian side dish (leave out the butter, and it’s vegan). Sweetness comes from sugar, tartness from Apples and Apple Cider vinegar. And red wine mellows the flavor (and the cook).

Note- The Red Wine is optional, so I leave it to you. Just know that the alcohol from the Red Wine will burn off, so you don’t have to worry about serving to kids.

Oma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (1)

Make Red Cabbage Ahead of Time!

You can shred the cabbage in NO TIME AT ALL if you use a Food Processor. Even with the bigger one, you might have to empty the bowl twice. I use the Cuisinart… because it has easy to clean off press-buttons, and the parts go into the dishwasher.

Once the cabbage is cooking, you don’t have to stand over it. Just let it cook and break down the onions and apples (I swear, they VANISH… which is nice, because the kids can’t possibly pick the onions out. Instead, they fuss about the cloves). Stir occasionally. Taste towards the end and add any extra vinegar or sugar that might be missing. Letting it sit for a while in the pot after it’s done cooking will let the flavors mellow. To me it’s better the next day (maybe that’s because my mother always cooked the red cabbage the day before Christmas to free a spot on the stove ON Christmas).

It also freezes very well. Just put it in containers… LABEL IT (no, you won’t remember what’s in the package)… and when you are ready to eat thaw and heat.

This red cabbage recipe makes around 7 cups of cooked cabbage.

German Red Cabbage Recipe

Serve with Roasts, Rouladen, Christmas Goose, or Duck.

Oma's German Red Cabbage Recipe

Red Cabbage shows up on our holiday table every time. Luckily, it's easy to make, and you can make it ahead of time to make holiday cooking easier.

Adjust the recipe to your taste.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Cuisine German

Servings 14

Ingredients

  • 1 Head of Red Cabbage
  • 1 medium yellow Onion
  • 1-2 Apples sour ones, like a Granny Smith
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 8-10 whole cloves
  • 2 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 2-3 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt to start
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper or a few Peppercorns
  • optional- Red Wine I used a Merlot use 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

Instructions

  • Set a pot on the stove (I used my soup pot to cook the Cabbage, so it wouldn't get crowded.)

  • Add about an inch of water.

  • Peel off the outer layers of the red cabbage if they look damaged.

  • Cut the cabbage in half, and remove the core.

  • Then slice the cabbage into thin shreds (about 1/4 inch?). I use a food processor, so it goes fast, but you can use a knife.

  • Dice the Onion

  • Peel and dice the Apple/s

  • Add the red cabbage, onion, and apples to the pot.

  • Add the butter, bay leaves, cloves, sugar, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar and wine to the pot.

  • Bring the water to a boil, stir everything together.

  • Reduce heat to simmer, stir again

  • cover and let cook for 30-40 minutes.

  • Check it from time to time. Stir.

  • At around 30 minutes, taste it.

  • Add sugar or vinegar to taste

  • Add some wine for color and flavor.

  • At around 45 minutes check again.

  • This is as far as I usually cook it. If you like it softer, cook it another 15 minutes.

  • From this point you can serve it.

  • Or let it cool, and reheat later.

  • Or let it cool, and freeze it in smaller portions.

Notes

This is a basic recipe for German Red Cabbage. Feel free to adjust it to your personal taste. Add more sugar or vinegar.... add more red wine.

Keep in mind, the flavors deepen after it sits a bit. If you make it one day, it will taste better the day after.

Looking for MORE German Recipes?

My Easy German Cookbook is loaded with 80 traditional German recipes you remember from Oma made simple for the American kitchen.
Order from Amazon… or order a signed copy from my online shop.

Oma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (3)Easy German Cookbook: 80 Classic Recipes Made SimpleOma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (4)Easy German Cookbook SIGNEDGermanGirl Shop

Cooking German Red Cabbage

Honestly, it’s not difficult, just put all the ingredients into the pot… and let it cook
Oma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (6)

After 30 minutes, it will look like this

Oma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (7)
Cook, and adjust for flavor… you want it to be sweet and tangy.
Cook longer if you like it softer.

Oma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (8)

Oma's Easy and Delicious German Red Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is German red cabbage good for you? ›

It's packed with vitamin A, potassium and antioxidant-rich vitamin C; it's low in calories and it's a good source of dietary fiber. And of the many ways to cook cabbage, this is one of the easiest. Simply cut up a few ingredients, add them to a pot, and stir occasionally until everything is soft and sweet.

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.

Can you freeze red cabbage after it is cooked? ›

The red cabbage should be cooked for 15-20 minutes more if it isn't finely shredded. This dish freezes well. Let the cooked cabbage cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container (it will keep in the freezer for 3 months). Defrost in the microwave or overnight in the fridge.

What is the difference between rotkohl and blaukraut? ›

Rotkohl and Blaukraut are often used synonymously, but they are actually two different dishes. Rotkohl always has among its ingredients an acid (vinegar), which keeps the cabbage red. Recipes for Blaukraut do not include an acid, which results in a much bluer end product.

Is it OK to eat red cabbage every day? ›

Regular consumption of red cabbage can benefit people having high blood pressure. Cabbage has higher levels of potassium, which is known to regulate and maintain blood pressure in the heart. Therefore, having this nutrient-dense vegetable can also prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Is red cabbage good for high blood pressure? ›

Diets high in anthocyanins, like those found in red cabbage, are linked with lower blood pressure. They're also linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease.

What is the healthiest way to eat red cabbage? ›

If you want to preserve these nutritional benefits, it's best to steam your cabbage. First, because steaming improves its cholesterol-lowering properties. Steaming also preserves more glucosinolates than microwaving, despite longer cooking time. Purple or red cabbage is a special nutritional powerhouse.

Why do you soak red cabbage? ›

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.

Can dogs eat red cabbage? ›

Both red and green cabbage is fine for dogs to eat, though red cabbage contains more vitamins and minerals than the green variety. However, all types of cabbage are safe for dogs to eat and can be a good nutrient-dense addition to their well-balanced dog food diet.

How long does red cabbage last in the fridge? ›

How to Store Cabbage in the Fridge. Whether it's red or green, Savoy or napa, fresh cabbage should be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. For red, green and Savoy cabbage heads, this storage method will keep the cabbage fresh for up to 10 days.

Can you just boil red cabbage? ›

How do you boil red 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.

Is Napa cabbage better than red cabbage? ›

Napa Cabbage

Its flavor is a little sweeter than green and red cabbage, and the leaves are far more tender, so it's a great choice if you're looking for something more mild. It's a classic addition when filling dumplings or making stir-fries, and it's also great raw in salads and slaws.

What is another name for red cabbage? ›

Purple cabbage, also referred to as red cabbage, belongs to the Brassica genus of plants. This group includes nutrient-dense vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale. It tastes similar to green cabbage.

What is the original name of red cabbage? ›

Red or purple cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata f, rubra), a crop native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, is now grown all over the world as a fresh market vegetable [46].

Which Colour cabbage is the healthiest? ›

Purple cabbage is a great source of antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that help protect against cellular damage. Its antioxidants include vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavonoid antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and kaempferol. In fact, it often contains higher amounts of these than green cabbage (2).

Is red cabbage better for you than green cabbage? ›

A cup of red cabbage provides 33 percent of daily Vitamin A intake compared to only 3 percent of the same serving of the green variety. Vitamin A is important for your eyes, skin and immune system. This nutrient is important for your bone health.

What does red cabbage do for the body? ›

The whopping amounts of essential minerals in red cabbage makes it one of the best vegetable to have that ensure healthy bone development. The richness of minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese promotes bone growth and mineral density that guards against osteoporosis, arthritis and other inflammation.

Is red cabbage better than broccoli? ›

Broccoli and cabbage are both nutrient-dense foods that are beneficial to a healthy diet. Yet, when it comes down to it broccoli is more nutrient-dense than cabbage. Cabbage and broccoli are both part of the mustard family. Broccoli has more of all of the body's essential minerals and vitamins than cabbage does.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6189

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.