Omas Braised German Red Cabbage Rotkohl

Omas Braised German Red Cabbage Rotkohl

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:01 Hrs 30 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 medium red cabbage (about 2 lbs / 900g), cored and shredded
• 1 large yellow onion (about 8 oz / 225g), thinly sliced
• 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, about 10 oz / 280g), peeled, cored, and chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or bacon fat)
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar (60ml)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
• 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (3g)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 whole cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
• 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)

Instructions:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened and translucent (about 5-7 minutes).
• Stir in the chopped apples, bay leaf, cloves, and allspice (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the apples begin to soften slightly.
• Add the shredded red cabbage, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.
• Pour in the chicken broth and red wine (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and braise for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Check and add more broth if it seems dry.
• Taste the cabbage and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more vinegar for a tangier flavour or more sugar for sweetness, depending on your preference.
• Remove the bay leaf and cloves before serving Oma's Braised German Red Cabbage.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	120
Fat	5g
Fiber	4g

Recipe Info

Category	Side Dish
Cuisine	German

Recipe Introduction

Fancy a bit of Germany on your plate? Ever wondered what makes German red cabbage so darn good? Let's dive into a classic that's both comforting and surprisingly easy.

Honestly, this dish is a hug in a bowl!

What’s the Deal with German Red Cabbage?

This braised red cabbage , also known as Rotkohl, has been a staple in German homes for generations. Originating from the need to preserve food for winter, this easy rotkohl recipe is now synonymous with festive meals and hearty dinners.

It's surprisingly simple to make and perfect with roast pork.

Think of it as a delightful balance of sweet and sour. The sweetness comes from the cabbage and apples. The tangy kick comes from vinegar, making it an amazing sweet and sour cabbage .

It takes about 20 minutes to prep, and 1 hour 30 minutes to cook, yielding 6-8 servings.

Why You’ll Love This Rotkohl Recipe

Did you know that red cabbage is packed with Vitamin C? This spiced red cabbage isn't just tasty. It's good for you too! It is perfect for a cold evening.

Make it once, and you'll be hooked.

This red cabbage with apples is special because it's so versatile. It goes great with everything, but especially well during Christmas .

Plus, it tastes even better the next day! Now, let's get to the ingredients.

What's Needed?

• 1 medium red cabbage (about 2 lbs / 900g), cored and shredded.
• 1 large yellow onion (about 8 oz / 225g), thinly sliced.
• 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, about 10 oz / 280g), peeled, cored, and chopped.
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or bacon fat, for extra flavour!).
• 1/4 cup red cabbage with vinegar (60ml).
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g).
• 1 teaspoon salt (6g).
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (3g).
• 1 bay leaf.
• 4 whole cloves.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice.
• 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth).
• 1/2 cup dry red wine.

Get ready for some serious flavor. The aroma while it simmers will have you drooling.

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best German Red Cabbage Recipe

So, you wanna try making some German Red Cabbage ? Awesome! I'm telling you, this Rotkohl recipe is a winner! It's the perfect German side dish recipe , and it’s easier than you might think.

First, let’s get our ingredients in order.

Essential Cabbage & Aromatics

For this braised red cabbage goodness, you'll need: 1 medium red cabbage (about 2 lbs or 900g ). Make sure it’s firm and vibrant.

Quality counts. Then, grab 1 large yellow onion (around 8 oz or 225g ), sliced thin. Apples are next: 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), roughly 10 oz or 280g , peeled and chopped.

And don't forget 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. If you're feeling cheeky, use bacon fat. Trust me, it’s lush!.

Sweet & Sour Power-Up: Seasoning Time!

This sweet and sour cabbage magic happens with a few key spices. We're talking 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar ( 60ml ), 1/4 cup of granulated sugar ( 50g ), 1 teaspoon of salt ( 6g ), and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper ( 3g ).

Then there's 1 bay leaf , 4 whole cloves , and a pinch of allspice ( 1/4 teaspoon ) if you're feeling fancy.

It’s these spices that give it that classic spiced red cabbage taste.

Braising Bliss: The Liquid Foundation

The braising liquid is key. Use 1 cup of chicken broth ( 240ml ), or veg broth if you’re going veggie.

Also add 1/2 cup of dry red wine ( 120ml ), but it's optional. I always think it adds a certain depth.

Equipment You'll Actually Need

You don't need loads of fancy gadgets, promise! Just a big, heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven. A sharp knife or a mandoline to shred that cabbage quickly.

A cutting board, obviously. And, you know, some measuring cups and spoons. If you don't have a Dutch oven, a large pot with a lid will do the trick!

Honestly, this Easy Rotkohl Recipe will become a Christmas staple. This Christmas Red Cabbage is just something else, it makes it really special!

Cooking Method: Braising Oma's German Red Cabbage Recipe

Honestly, making German Red Cabbage , also known as Rotkohl Recipe , isn't as daunting as it sounds! It's all about that low and slow braise to get that perfect sweet and sour cabbage flavour.

Think of it like a warm hug on a cold day. I’m going to break down the braising method that makes this easy Rotkohl Recipe so special.

The perfect german side dish recipes!

Prep Steps: The Mise en Place Hustle

First things first, get everything ready. This is your mise en place . You know, the fancy chef term for "get your act together.

" Shred your red cabbage, slice your onion, and chop your apples. Core that cabbage, about 900g, and get ready to go! Having it all prepped saves a ton of time later.

Trust me, you don’t want to be fumbling with an apple while your onions are burning. A sharp knife is your best friend here.

Step-by-Step: Braising to Perfection

Here's how we turn humble cabbage into Braised Red Cabbage magic:

1. Sauté the sliced onion in about 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat for 5- 7 minutes until softened.
2. Add the chopped apples, bay leaf, cloves, and optional allspice. Cook for 2- 3 minutes until the apples soften slightly.
3. Stir in that glorious shredded red cabbage, about 900g, with 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Mix well!
4. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1/2 cup of red wine (optional). Bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and braise for 1 hour 30 minutes , or until the cabbage is tender. Check occasionally and add more broth if needed.
6. Remove the bay leaf and cloves before serving.

Pro Tips for Christmas Red Cabbage Greatness

• Make it ahead! Red Cabbage With Apples tastes even better the next day. Seriously, the flavours just meld together.
• Taste, taste, taste! Adjust the vinegar and sugar to get your perfect Spiced Red Cabbage balance. Some people like it tangier, some sweeter. It's all about you, boo!
• Thinly shredded cabbage cooks more evenly. If you have one, use a mandoline very carefully for speed.

Honestly, this Red Cabbage with Vinegar recipe is pretty foolproof. I even messed it up the first time by adding way too much vinegar.

Whoops! Now I'm hooked on this, the perfect German side dish recipes . Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

This german red cabbage recipe , or rotkohl recipe as some people call it, is more than just a side dish.

It’s a hug on a plate! Seriously, it’s the sort of thing my Oma used to make, and it instantly transports me back to cozy Christmases.

Let's dive into some helpful tips.

Serving Like a Pro

Honestly, presentation matters. Heap that lovely braised red cabbage next to some perfectly roasted pork. Or, get fancy and use a cookie cutter to create a perfect circle on the plate.

A sprinkle of fresh parsley never hurts. As for drinks, a crisp Riesling works wonders with the sweet and sour cabbage .

For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling apple cider brings out the apple flavour beautifully.

Keeping it Fresh

This Christmas red cabbage keeps like a dream. After it has cooled completely, pop it in an airtight container. Into the fridge it goes for up to 4 days .

Want to freeze it? Portion it out first! Lay flat in freezer bags and press out the air. It’ll keep for up to 3 months .

To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, gently warm it on the stovetop. Add a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.

Making it Your Way

Want a vegan german side dish recipe ? Easy peasy! Just use vegetable broth instead of chicken. Ditch the bacon fat for vegetable oil.

How about a dietary tweak? Use a sugar substitute. Also, experiment with the vinegar type to tweak this red cabbage with vinegar , apple cider vinegar works great too.

It's easy Rotkohl Recipe to change up!

Health Boost, German Style

Okay, I'm no nutritionist, but this dish is packed with goodness. Red cabbage is loaded with antioxidants. Apples add fibre.

Plus, the long braising brings out the natural sweetness. This spiced red cabbage is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies.

The cabbage itself is pretty low in calories.

So there you have it! My notes on this German red cabbage . It's a super easy rotkohl recipe . Have fun experimenting with this red cabbage with apples .

Don’t be afraid to put your spin on it! Get creative and remember there are no rules in the kitchen.