Description
German Red Cabbage, also known as Rotkohl, is a sweet and tangy braised dish made with red cabbage, apples, onions, and vinegar. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, it’s a vibrant and flavorful side that’s perfect for holiday dinners or everyday comfort meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
- 1 large apple, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegan butter
- 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
Instructions
- Heat olive oil or vegan butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in diced apples and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the sliced red cabbage and stir to coat with oil and onions.
- Pour in apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and water or broth.
- Stir well, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once cabbage is tender and flavors have melded, remove bay leaf.
- Taste and adjust vinegar or sweetness as needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- For more sweetness, add a tablespoon of jam or maple syrup.
- Let the dish rest before serving for deeper flavor.
- Use a mandoline slicer for thin, even cabbage slices.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated easily.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Braised
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: german red cabbage, rotkohl, braised red cabbage, sweet and sour cabbage, vegan german side dish