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Home » Side Dishes

Braised Cabbage with Apples

09/28/2021 Updated: 04/02/2022 By Karrie 4 Comments

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Braised Cabbage with apples is made the traditional German way, but with a special ingredient as the sweetener to make it Paleo.  Perfect for celebrating Oktoberfest at home, anytime of the year!

Braised red cabbage in a cooking pot with a wooden serving spoon

Braised Cabbage with Apples

The sweet and sour flavors of a German braised cabbage is a perfect addition to an Oktoberfest celebration at home.

Cabbage is cooked slowly until tender with onions, apples, vinegar and honey.

Of course, it's also great anytime of the year and as a tasty side to pork, chicken, beef, or sausages.

Watch the video on how to make it

A whole head of fresh red cabbage

Ingredients to make this Braised Red Cabbage Recipe

  • Cabbage - Red is typically used, but green cabbage can be used too. They taste similar, with red cabbage more earthy in flavor and green cabbage is a little sweeter once cooked.
  • Coconut oil or Avocado Oil- Use one of these oils if following a Paleo diet. If not, use any cooking oil or fat you prefer.
  • Apples - Most of the time I use green apples, but I have used other apples if I don't have the tart green ones on hand. Any type will do, so just use your favorite.
  • Onion - Use your favorite type of onion. I've used both red and yellow onion in this recipe and both taste great!
  • Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar - I use Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and it can be found in local grocery stores. This type of vinegar is less processed and contains the "mother". I only use this type of ACV vinegar, but any apple cider vinegar (unfiltered or filtered) can be used for this recipe.
  • Honey - If you regularly follow my blog, you know I'm all about less processed foods. I only have raw honey in my pantry, so it's what I use. Yes, I know some of the beneficial properties of the raw gets cooked out, but I'd still rather use it. Pasteurized honey can be substituted for the raw, so just use what's in the pantry.
    • Here's a great article about the pros and cons of heating honey.
Step by step photos of the ingredients and cooking process for braised red cabbage recipe

How to cook red cabbage

  1. Place a heavy bottomed lidded pot on the stove, add 1 tablespoon oil and turn the heat on medium. Once the oil is heated, add the 1 large diced onion and 2 diced apples. Sauté until slightly soft and lightly browned.
  2. Add the 5 cups chopped cabbage and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until cabbage softens a bit.
  3. Add the ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoons of honey, and salt and pepper to taste.  Stir well, cover and reduce heat to low.
  4. Cook over low heat for an hour or until cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally, .
  5. Taste once fully cooked and add more vinegar for a more sour taste and/or more honey for a sweeter taste.
Two photos of the final cooking process of slow braised red cabbage in a cast iron dutch oven

Can you freeze cabbage?

Yes, cabbage can be frozen, but it has to be cooked first. Fresh cabbage doesn't freeze well at all.

Last time I make this red cabbage recipe, I made a double batch and froze the leftovers in an airtight glass container for 3 months.

I thawed it in the refrigerator overnight, heated it up in a pot the next day over low heat, and it tasted delicious!

The texture of the cabbage was a little softer than it's pre-frozen self, but the taste was exactly the same as when I made it fresh.

Braised Cabbage with apples in a dutch oven pot

What to serve with braised cabbage

Kartoffelsuppe German Potato Soup - This creamy soup is made quick and easy in only 15 minutes with the Instant Pot.  Optional vegan cooking instructions are included too!

Braised Lamb Shanks - Economically priced shanks are slow cooked until tender in a red wine sauce flavored with tomato, onions, garlic, and fresh rosemary.  

Lyonnaise Potatoes - Classic side dish of potatoes and onions pan fried until crispy and tender and tossed with fresh parsley.  

Braised Beef Short Ribs - Beef ribs are slow cooked for hours in a red wine, beef stock, and rich tomato sauce.

Roast Chicken and Vegetables - Crispy skinned whole chicken is surrounded by potatoes, onions, beets, whole garlic cloves, and herbs for a comforting meal.

Fresh Ginger and Shallot Green Beans - A simple and healthy side dish, perfect with any meal.  Less than 5 ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes to make!

Braised Beef Brisket - The easiest recipe for oven roasted slow cooked meat that's so moist and tender, you can cut it with a fork! It even makes it's own caramelized onion sauce too.

Did you try this recipe? Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know! I LOVE to hear from you!

Red Cabbage with apples in a dutch oven with a wooden spoon

Braised Cabbage

Braised Cabbage with apples is made the traditional German way, but with a special ingredient as the sweetener to make it Paleo.  Perfect for celebrating Oktoberfest at home, anytime of the year!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: German
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 77kcal
Author: Karrie Tasty Ever After

Ingredients

  • 5 cups green or red cabbage shredded or chopped (5 cups should be 1 large whole cabbage)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or use avocado oil)
  • 2 apples diced (can leave skin on)
  • 1 large onion diced
  • ½ cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, but any kind of ACV can be used)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons honey (can use pasteurized or raw honey)
  • salt and pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Melt 1 tablespoon coconut or avocado oil in a heavy pot over medium heat.  Sauté the 1 large diced onion and 2 diced apples until slightly soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the 5 cups chopped cabbage and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until cabbage softens a bit.
  • Add the ½ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoons honey, and salt and pepper to taste.  Stir well, cover and reduce heat to low.
  • Continue to cook for 1 hour or until cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally. Taste and add more vinegar (to make more sour), add more honey (to make more sweet) and salt and pepper, if necessary.

Recipe Notes & Tips:

  • Store leftover braised cabbage in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
  • For longer storage, cooked cabbage can be frozen for up to 3 months.  To thaw, place in refrigerator overnight.  To heat up, put thawed cabbage in a pot over low heat and stir occasionally until heated throughout.
Nutrition Facts
Braised Cabbage
Amount Per Serving
Calories 77 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 17mg1%
Potassium 217mg6%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 646IU13%
Vitamin C 35mg42%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @tastyeverafter or tag #tastyeverafter

More Side Dishes

  • Easy Baked Beans Recipe
  • Easy Sweet Potato Casserole {with streusel topping}
  • Easy Risotto Cakes
  • Leek Risotto {with Gouda and Mushrooms}

 ©  Tasty Ever After  All images and content are copyright protected, so please do not copy or claim my work as your own.  Please do not use any images or republish this recipe without prior permission.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post.  Thank you.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather Wells

    November 03, 2021 at 7:46 pm

    5 stars
    Tastes just like the red cabbage our favorite German restaurant! I don't like to cook much but this was easy enough to do and we have leftovers for tonight. Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply
    • Karrie

      November 11, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks Heather and so glad you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Wendy L.

    October 02, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    5 stars
    I saw your recipe when I was looking for a healthier German red cabbage recipe for Octoberfest. The honey added the right amount of sweetness to the cabbage. We all loved it and they can't wait for me to make it again.

    Reply
    • Karrie

      November 03, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      Thank you Wendy and so happy everyone loved the recipe!

      Reply

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