Savory German Red Cabbage Delight

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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Savory German Red Cabbage Delight is a comforting, vibrant dish that pairs the earthy sweetness of cabbage with a tangy, spiced finish. It's a perfect companion for hearty meals, especially in cooler weather, bringing warmth and color to your table.

Ingredients for Savory German Red Cabbage Delight

Red cabbage is the star of this dish, offering vibrant color and a mild, sweet flavor that forms the base. Olive oil is used for sautéing, giving a smooth start to our cooking process. Apples add a natural sweetness and a hint of fruitiness, balancing the tartness of the apple cider vinegar. Onion provides a savory depth, while brown sugar enhances the sweetness and helps caramelize the ingredients. Caraway seeds lend a subtle anise-like flavor that complements the cabbage beautifully. Cinnamon adds warmth, and the salt and black pepper bring everything together. A splash of water helps the cabbage to soften as it cooks. Finally, fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness right before serving.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your cabbage seems too dry during cooking, add a little more water to keep it from sticking.
  • Use a mandoline to slice the cabbage thinly and evenly for a uniform texture.
  • This dish can be made ahead of time and tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Serving Suggestions

This cabbage dish pairs wonderfully with roasted meats like pork or chicken. For a complete meal, serve it alongside some creamy mashed potatoes or a hearty bread. It also makes a great topping for sandwiches, adding a burst of flavor and color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use green cabbage instead of red?
Yes, you can, but the flavor will be milder and the color less vibrant.
How long does this dish keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, it freezes well. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and freezing.

Savory German Red Cabbage Delight Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating your olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion. Sauté it until it's soft and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. This will be the flavorful base for our dish.

Next, stir in the grated apples. Cook them for about 2 minutes. The apples will start to soften and release their juices, adding sweetness to the onions.

Now, add the sliced cabbage to the pot. Stir it occasionally as it cooks for around 5 more minutes. You want the cabbage to begin softening, absorbing the flavors from the onions and apples.

Pour in the apple cider vinegar and water. This will deglaze the pot, picking up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. Then, sprinkle in the brown sugar, caraway seeds, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well to combine.

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gives the flavors time to meld together and the cabbage to become tender.

Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley to add some brightness and freshness to the dish.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Packs a punch with just the right balance of sweet, sour, and savory.
  • Uses simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have.
  • Easy to prepare and mostly hands-off once it's simmering.
  • Perfect for meal prep — tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

1 medium head red cabbage, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium apples, peeled and grated
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
3. Stir in the grated apples and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the sliced cabbage and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
5. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and water.
6. Sprinkle with brown sugar, caraway seeds, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
7. Stir well, cover, and reduce heat to low.
8. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and flavors meld together.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

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