Apfelrotkohl (German Braised Red Cabbage with Apples)
In short: Shredded red cabbage braised slowly with apples, onion, red wine and warm spices until soft, sweet and lightly sour. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 175 kcal
Red cabbage braised with apples is the side dish for German roasts, from Sunday pork to Christmas goose. Cooking it slowly with vinegar, a little sugar and warm spices makes the cabbage soft and glossy, with a balance of sweet and sour. It tastes better after a day, so make it ahead. Choose tart apples, which keep the dish from turning too sweet.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add the apples and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage a handful at a time, stirring so it wilts and fits in the pot.
- Pour in the vinegar, wine and water, then add the sugar, cloves, bay, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stir well.
- Bring to a simmer, cover and cook over low heat for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the cabbage is very tender. Add a splash of water if it begins to stick.
- Remove the cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon. Stir in the red currant jelly and taste. Add a pinch of sugar or a splash of vinegar to balance sweet and sour.
- If the cabbage is too wet, cook it uncovered for 5 minutes. Serve warm.
Tips
- Add the vinegar early, because acid keeps the cabbage bright purple-red instead of letting it turn dull blue-grey.
- For a more traditional, savory flavor, add 4 crushed juniper berries with the cloves. Swap the wine for apple juice if you prefer no alcohol.
Questions and answers
Can I make red cabbage ahead?
Yes, it improves after a day or two. Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat gently with a splash of water.
Can I freeze braised red cabbage?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat, adding a spoon of jelly or sugar if the flavor has dulled.
What do you serve with red cabbage?
Roast pork, duck, goose, beef rolls, Sauerbraten and sausages, usually with potato dumplings. It is a fixture of German Christmas dinners.
How long does it take to make Apfelrotkohl (German Braised Red Cabbage with Apples)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Apfelrotkohl (German Braised Red Cabbage with Apples)?
About 175 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 175 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
