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    Home » Side dishes » Braised red cabbage with apples

    Braised red cabbage with apples

    September 6, 2017 by Caroline's Cooking

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    This braised red cabbage with apples is a classic Germanic side that's a delicious combination of gently sweet and mildly aromatic spice. Easy to make and comfortingly tasty.

    plate of sausages, braised red cabbage with apples and roasted veg
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    I know for many, Germanic food is not necessarily the easiest to like, apart from maybe the comfort-factor of things like Wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, German pancake soup and Kaiserschmarrn.

    Even for me, and I was brought up visiting Austria ever year or two, I find I need a change after a week or two of traditional foods.

    Many traditional German and Austrian dishes are heavier partly as they came out of the need to sustain a predominantly farmer population. They would burn through a lot of calories working in the fields, so needed hearty meals.

    braised red cabbage in front of sausages and roasted vegetables on plate

    It can all get a bit heavy if your lifestyle is not exactly matched, though. There are a good number of meat dishes, especially pork, and bready things, but not too many vegetables.

    It's maybe not a completely fair image, and they wouldn't be alone in that trend anyway (hey, I'm from the UK, not exactly known for it's cuisine, although that, too, I think is a little unfair).

    But I think even most Germans would agree that, traditionally at least, there is a bit of a tendency towards only a small range of vegetables. You'll find plenty of potatoes, of course, (like German potato pancakes), then some dishes with mushrooms.

    If there's anything else as a side, you're probably looking at a simple salad, white asparagus, green beans or red cabbage.

    overhead view of braised red cabbage with apples served alongside roasted vegetables and sausages

    Braised red cabbage with apples is one of my favorites, and so I was always happy to see it on the menu.

    I don't know if that's partly because it's also something you find in the UK, especially served with a Sunday roast. But I think it's mainly that it's so comforting, gently sweet and with a fragrant spice undertone.

    It goes with lots of different meats, such as sausages as we had here, or roast meats (it mops up the gravy as well!). Roast vegetables pair well too.

    adding the grated apple to the pan with the cabbage in already

    How to make braised red cabbage

    There are a few variations on braised red cabbage, but this version is one I like as it has a nice balance of gentle sweetness and aromatic spice. All you do is:

    • Shred the cabbage, grate the apple then start to cook the cabbage in a little oil.
    • Add the apple, cloves and orange juice, mix then cover.
    • Reduce the heat and allow it to kind of steam/sweat for a few minutes until tender.

    Easy to make, comforting and with a lovely mix of flavors, this braised red cabbage with apples is a classic Germanic side that pairs well with so many dishes. Perfect for an Oktoberfest feast and so much more.

    braised red cabbage with apples close up

    Make this a meal with these German mains and other sides:

    • Jaegerschnitzel (pork chops with mushroom sauce)
    • Sauerbraten (German pot roast)
    • Potatoes are common additional sides as well as spaetzle (or even better as a meal alongside bacon onion spaetzle)
    • And for extra veg, try some speckbohnen (green beans) alongside too.
    • Get more ideas in the German recipes archives.
    braised red cabbage with apples
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Braised red cabbage with apples

    A simple, comforting side dish that goes particularly well with pork. 
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time17 mins
    Total Time22 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: German
    Servings: 2 +
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
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    Ingredients

    • 3 ½ cups red cabbage 220g, ½ a small cabbage
    • 1 apple or ½ large
    • 3 cloves
    • 3 tbsp orange juice

    Instructions

    • Shred the cabbage relatively finely and peel and grate the apple. 
    • Warm a little oil in a pan and add the cabbage. Cook for a couple minutes so it starts to soften, stirring now and then to coat with the oil.  Add the apple, cloves and orange juice, mix then cover. Reduce the heat and allow it to steam/sweat for around 15 minutes until tender, stirring now and then.
    • Remove the cloves and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1840IU | Vitamin C: 105.7mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1.4mg

    See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    Try these other ideas for Oktoberfest:

    • Autumn Crockpot Apple Sauerkraut by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
    • Bierocks by A Day in the Life on the Farm
    • Brombeere-Butterkuchen – Blackberry German Butter Cake by Food Lust People Love
    • Chicken Schnitzel with Dunkelweizen Sauce by Palatable Pastime
    • Chicken Schnitzel With Garlic Mayo by Sneha’s Recipe
    • German meatballs with spaetzle by Cookaholic Wife
    • Nusskämme (German Hazelnut Combs) by Tara’s Multicultural Table

    Remember to pin for later!

    This braised red cabbage with apples is a classic Germanic side that's a delicious combination of gently sweet and mildly aromatic spice. Easy to make and comfortingly tasty. #redcabbage #oktoberfest

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danielle

      August 12, 2018 at 3:55 am

      5 stars
      This reminds me of some of the delicious food we ate when we were in Eastern Europe.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 13, 2018 at 10:31 pm

        I can imagine it's very similar - this is primarily based on the German way of preparing it but there are similar versions across Eastern Europe as well.

        Reply
    2. Neli Howard

      August 12, 2018 at 2:31 am

      5 stars
      WOW...how deliciously does this look! This is really very tasty. I would love to try this! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 13, 2018 at 10:31 pm

        Thanks, it's delicious!

        Reply
    3. Natalie

      August 11, 2018 at 10:59 pm

      5 stars
      This braised red cabbage with apples look like the perfect side dish that is simply perfect with anything - so easy to make, healthy and yummy! Can't wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 13, 2018 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks, enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Natalie

      August 11, 2018 at 10:58 pm

      5 stars
      This red cabbage with apples look like such a great side dish to just about anything - so easy to make, healthy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 13, 2018 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks, I agree it would go with lots of things.

        Reply
    5. Annemarie

      August 11, 2018 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      After traveling to Germany this summer, I'm so ready to try this recipe! I love cabbage in all its forms, and this braised version looks so pretty and flavorful.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 13, 2018 at 10:29 pm

        Thanks, it has a lovely flavor and is easy too.

        Reply
    6. Cindy Gordon

      August 11, 2018 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious comfort food! I have always been a lover of braised cabbage!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 13, 2018 at 10:28 pm

        Thanks, it really is!

        Reply
    7. Tara

      September 06, 2017 at 4:39 pm

      Such a beautiful plate! Definitely my idea of comfort food. I love the color of that cabbage.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        September 10, 2017 at 8:06 pm

        Thanks, it really is so comforting. And I agree, the color is so pretty!

        Reply
    8. Cookaholic Wife

      September 06, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      I have all of these ingredients on hand right now and planned to use pork later this week. I think I found the recipe I'm making!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        September 10, 2017 at 8:05 pm

        Perfect, hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    9. sneha datar

      September 06, 2017 at 8:04 am

      Great recipe very easy and filling, will definitely try this soon.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        September 10, 2017 at 8:05 pm

        Thanks, hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Wendy Klik

      September 06, 2017 at 7:03 am

      Braised red cabbage is one of my favorites in the Fall. Haven't tried using oj, thanks for the idea Caroline.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        September 10, 2017 at 8:05 pm

        Thanks, the orange is a nice way to get that sweet-acidic balance in there.

        Reply
    11. Colleen

      September 06, 2017 at 6:59 am

      This has always been one of my favorites too! I especially look forward to it around this time of year!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        September 10, 2017 at 8:04 pm

        I can understand why!

        Reply

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