Sweet and sour red cabbage is an incredibly versatile German dish that can be used as a condiment or side dish! It pairs amazingly with turkey, pork, chicken, bratwurst, and ham! As an added bonus, the leftovers are delicious both hot and cold!
German Sweet & Sour Cabbage
Even if you think you aren't a fan of cabbage, you really need to give this dish a shot! The flavors from the apple, cloves, vinegar, and sugar make a combination that is incredibly delicious!
I love to pair this German sweet and sour cabbage with everything! It tastes fantastic as a condiment on sandwiches as well as a side dish at a potluck!
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🥘 Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage Ingredients
This simple ingredient list can easily be picked up on a quick grocery store run. Make sure to buy the cloves if you don't have some already, they are definitely worth it!
- Red Cabbage - 5 cups of shredded red cabbage.
- Green Apples - 1 cup of sliced green apples for a tart and tangy flavor.
- Sugar - 3 tablespoons of sugar to sweeten it all up.
- Butter - 2 tablespoons of butter to add richness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar.
- Water - 3 tablespoons of water.
- Salt - 1 teaspoon of salt to balance everything out.
- Pepper - ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
- Cloves - ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
This dish may take some time to cook, but is extremely easy to prepare! The only pieces of equipment necessary are a large stockpot, some measuring spoons, and a knife to cut your apples!
This recipe will make 4 servings, so I recommend doubling the batch if needed!
- Combine. Into a large stockpot, add your 5 cups of shredded cabbage, 1 cup of sliced apples, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add in seasonings. Next, pour in the ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and 3 tablespoons of water then add the seasonings (1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of cloves) and stir gently to combine.
- Boil. Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat.
- Simmer. Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover it with a well-fitting lid and simmer until the cabbage is tender (about 1½ - 2 hours).
- Serve. Once done, remove from the heat and serve right away.
Serve this versatile dish as a condiment to some air fryer turkey! You can also pair it alongside some smoked or grilled brats! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- If you don't have ground cloves, you can always add in some whole ones!
- This dish makes a fantastic substitute for standard cranberry sauce! It pairs wonderfully with turkey!
- To store: Place any extra sweet and sour red cabbage into a airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- To freeze: Allow your leftover cabbage to cool completely. Transfer the leftovers into a sealed container and freeze them for a maximum of 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat: These leftovers are incredibly delicious while cold! However, you can reheat sweet and sour cabbage in a saucepan at medium heat on the stovetop.
❓ Recipe FAQs
This German cabbage tastes great with so many different things! I really enjoy it with cast iron pork chops, bag roasted chicken, air fryer duck legs, and a smoked beef roast!
Yes! It is high in antioxidants, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and even cancer! Plus, red cabbage contains a good amount of vitamin A.
To start, rinse the cabbage and remove any outer leaves that are dry or wilted. Use a sharp knife to slice off the end with the root. Then, cut the cabbage in half through the stem. Slice the cabbage diagonally, cutting out the root, into quarters. Then, cut the cabbage into slices!
Of course, you could also use your grater, a mandoline, or a food processor.
😋 More Dishes To Pair With Your Cabbage
- Air Fryer Sausage Dogs - Make these tasty sausage dogs and top them with your sweet and sour cabbage!
- Baked Pork Tenderloin - This pork tenderloin is coated in a homemade pork rub and seared to perfection!
- Roasted Rack of Pork - This rack of pork has minimal prep work and is perfect for a special dinner!
- Dutch Oven Pot Roast - This classic pot roast dinner is extra tender and loaded with carrots, celery, potatoes, and onions!
- Air Fryer Brats - Using the air fryer makes these crispy brats extra easy to make!
- Herbes de Provence Roasted Turkey - This whole roasted turkey is perfect for the holidays or any family gathering!
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📖 Recipe Card
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
Ingredients
- 5 cups red cabbage (shredded)
- 1 cup green apples (sliced)
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Into a large stockpot, add your shredded cabbage, sliced apples, sugar, and butter.
- Next, pour in the apple cider vinegar and water then add the seasonings (salt, pepper, and cloves) and stir gently to combine.
- Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat.
- Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover it with a well-fitting lid and simmer until the cabbage is tender (about 1½ - 2 hours).
- Once done, remove from the heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- If you don't have ground cloves, you can always add in some whole ones!
- This dish makes a fantastic substitute for standard cranberry sauce! It pairs wonderfully with turkey!
- To store: Place leftovers into a sealed container and store them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
- To freeze: Place (cooled) leftovers into a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat: These leftovers are incredibly delicious while cold! However, you can reheat sweet and sour cabbage in a saucepan at medium heat on the stovetop.
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