Classic German-Style Red Cabbage
This comforting German-style red cabbage is a vibrant, flavorful side dish that brings warmth to any meal. By slow-cooking shredded cabbage with aromatic cloves, a hint of sugar, and a tangy vinegar finish, you achieve a perfectly tender texture and deep, appealing color. It is an affordable, pantry-friendly recipe that pairs beautifully with roasted proteins or hearty vegetarian main courses, making it a reliable staple for cozy family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 75
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: All Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: German
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2-3 tablespoons butter or oil
1 head onion, diced
2 pounds red cabbage, shredded
1 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt your butter or oil over medium heat and sauté the diced onion until translucent.
Add the shredded red cabbage to the pan and sauté for several minutes until leaves soften slightly.
Pour in 1 cup of water, then stir in the salt, pepper, cloves, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the vinegar.
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 30 to 60 minutes, adding water as needed if the pan becomes dry.
Once the cabbage reaches your preferred tenderness, stir in the remaining tablespoon of vinegar to lock in the color.
Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, sugar, or vinegar as desired.
Whisk the cornstarch with a small amount of cold water to create a slurry and stir into the cabbage to thicken the sauce before serving.
Notes
Add more water if the cabbage begins to stick to the bottom of the pot during the long simmer. For a richer flavor, you can add a grated apple along with the cabbage at the start of the cooking process.
Find it online: https://elitesrecipes.com/german-red-cabbage-recipe/