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Wooden spoon lifting German braised red cabbage from a Dutch oven, with roast chicken and herbs in background

German Braised Red Cabbage (Rotkohl)

Rustic German braised red cabbage with apples, and bacon; a deeply flavorful side for roast beef or turkey.
*Quick Note Before You Dive In: This recipe card covers the basics, but if you want storage tips and serving suggestioins, scroll back up! Everything you need for foolproof results is in the post.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine German
Servings 8
Calories 147 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 5 slices (290g) thick cut bacon cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 (200g) large cooking onion diced
  • Salt and pepper
  • ½ cup (118ml) red wine vinegar or dry red wine
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 8 cups (712g) red cabbage cored and chopped
  • 1 (218g) large tart apple peeled and diced

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Add bacon to a 5.5-quart Dutch oven (or other heavy-bottomed pot) over medium-high heat. Fry until it is cooked through but still soft (about 5 minutes).
  • Add the onion, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and fry until the onion begins to turn translucent (about 2 minutes).
  • Stir in the vinegar and sugar.
  • Add apples and red cabbage, and stir until coated in the vinegar and bacon mixture.
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the mixture cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes or so.
  • Remove the lid, season to taste with additional salt and increase the heat to medium-high. Continue cooking uncovered until any extra liquid has evaporated but the cabbage is still moist, (about 5-10 minutes longer).
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes:

Wear gloves when slicing red cabbage, as it stains your hands a bright purple.
You can substitute the vinegar for red wine if you prefer. Braised red cabbage with red wine is more mellow and rich in flavor, but it is another way I like to prepare this dish, depending on the protein I'm serving it with.
Scroll back up for substitutions and variations to the recipe.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for professional dietary advice

Nutrition

Serving: 130gCalories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 175mgPotassium: 311mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1014IUVitamin C: 53mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
Keyword braised vegetables, fall recipe, holiday side dish, make-ahead side, stovetop recipe, traditional German food, winter comfort food
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