Rotkohl
German Braised Red Cabbage
A classic German side dish of red cabbage braised with apples, onions, and warm spices, offering a delightful sweet and sour flavor profile. It's a quintessential accompaniment to holiday meals, especially Christmas.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 medium head Red cabbage
- 2 medium Apples
- 1 medium Yellow onion
- 2 tbsp Butter or neutral oil
- 3 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 0.5 cup Water or vegetable broth
- 1 whole Bay leaf
- 4 pieces Whole cloves
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Sugar (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the vegetables and fruit: Core the red cabbage and slice it thinly. Peel, core, and dice the apples. Finely chop the onion.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Sauté the aromatics: Melt the butter or heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat (approx. 175°C / 350°F). Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it brown.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 3
Add the cabbage and apples: Add the shredded red cabbage and diced apples to the pot. Stir to combine with the softened onions. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt slightly.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Deglaze and add liquids/spices: Pour in the red wine vinegar and stir, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the water or broth, bay leaf, and whole cloves. Season with salt and pepper. If using, stir in the sugar.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 5
Braise the Rotkohl: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it braise gently for at least 1 hour, or until the cabbage is very tender and the flavors have melded. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 1 hour - 6
Adjust seasoning and serve: Remove the bay leaf and cloves (if desired, or leave them in for a stronger flavor). Taste the Rotkohl and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, vinegar, or sugar as needed to achieve your desired sweet and sour balance. Serve hot.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Rotkohl often tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for preparing ahead of time.
- ✓A quintessential side dish for holiday meals, especially roasted meats and poultry.
- ✓The balance of sweet (from apples and optional sugar) and sour (from vinegar) is key to authentic Rotkohl.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a richer flavor, substitute some or all of the water/broth with dry red wine.
- Add a grated raw potato during the braising process to help thicken the liquid.
- Include a strip of bacon or a slice of smoked pork belly for added depth of flavor.