Braised Red Cabbage Apples (Printable Version)

Tender red cabbage gently cooked with apples, onions, and spices for a flavorful side dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables & Fruit

01 - 1 medium red cabbage (about 2 lbs), cored and finely shredded
02 - 1 large onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

→ Liquids & Fats

04 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter (or vegetable oil for vegan option)
05 - 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
06 - 1/2 cup apple juice or water

→ Sweeteners

07 - 2 tbsp brown sugar

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 tsp ground cloves
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1/2 tsp ground allspice (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
02 - Add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in the diced apples and cook for another 2 minutes until slightly softened.
04 - Add the shredded red cabbage and toss well to combine with the onion and apple mixture.
05 - Sprinkle with brown sugar, salt, pepper, cloves, and allspice if using. Stir to distribute spices evenly.
06 - Pour in the apple cider vinegar and apple juice (or water). Add the bay leaf to the pot.
07 - Stir everything together, then cover and reduce heat to low.
08 - Simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is very tender and flavors have melded together.
09 - Adjust seasoning to taste, remove bay leaf, and serve warm as a side dish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way vinegar and heat morph bitter red cabbage into something sweet and tangy feels like kitchen magic
  • It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or holiday leftovers
02 -
  • Resist the urge to rush by raising the heat because slow cooking is what transforms the texture
  • The cabbage will release more liquid as it cooks so do not be alarmed if it seems dry at first
03 -
  • Use a mandoline if you want perfectly uniform shreds that cook evenly
  • Substitute pears for apples in late summer when they are at their peak

Go Back