Grandma Netta's Red Cabbage Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: Stockout

November17,2010

4.5

8 Ratings

  • Serves 6 to 8

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

My maternal step-grandmother was actually Italian but married my German/Swedish grandfather, whom she met while working in a German restaurant. She had to learn to cook good German and Swedish meals because that was all my grandfather would eat. When I stayed over, she always made me Italian food and him, calves liver and onions.....oh yuck! (Hey, I was 10 at the time.) The 2 things I wish I had begged her to show me how to make were her wonderfully light potato dumplings (which I can still taste today) and her great sauerbraten. I did manage to squirrel away the red cabbage recipe from my Uncle, who still makes it every fall holiday meal. I know there are no onion or apples in this recipe. It is just a simple, light sweet-sour sauced cabbage dish. Here's to you, Grandma Annette, and to whoever gets the bay leaf.....the dishes are all yours. —Stockout

Test Kitchen Notes

This delicious red cabbage was so simple to prepare—just dump the ingredients in a large pot, cover, and simmer for an hour. The glazing that occurs during the next uncovered phase (about 1/2 hour) not only concentrates the delicate sweet-and-sour flavor, but also creates a nice shine, which prevents the tender cabbage from looking dull on your plate. I didn’t miss the typical additions of apple and onion at all, as there was just the right amount of sweetness from the brown sugar. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it dish, which makes it an ideal holiday side. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 large head red cabbage (about 2 pounds)
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter (4 tablespoons)
  • 1/2 cupapple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cupdark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cupsvegetable stock (or chicken)
  • 1/2 cupgood stout beer
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
  1. Quarter, core, and chop cabbage into 1/4-inch slices. Place all ingredients into a large 5-quart stockpot and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
  2. After 1 hour, uncover, and simmer until liquid is almost all gone and the cabbage is glazed.

Tags:

  • German
  • Cabbage
  • Vegetable
  • Make Ahead
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Fall
  • Christmas
  • Thanksgiving
  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Side
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Vegetarian Holiday Side

Popular on Food52

20 Reviews

pop November 10, 2022

I bought a massive head of red cabbage before I had a recipe. I was hoping inspiration would come later. The cabbage sat like a Jeffrey Dahmer trophy in the back of my fridge for several weeks. Cabbage is so hearty though. Peeled back a few layers of leaves to reveal a reborn cabbage. Found this simple old world recipe. Didn't have stout beer so sub'd balsamic + Chinese Black vinegar. Would pull back the sugar next time to be less sweet and more sour. Served it with a pouch of Trader Joe's spicy Tikka vegetables and leftover basmati. It created one of those combinations where you are sad when it is all gone even though you are full. Highly recommend the recipe.

Lauren M. October 23, 2022

Really lovely recipe. We have made the full recipe as well as just cooking with the sugar (we use maple syrup)/ vinegar, and a splash of water. Always comes out delicious. We do like to cook it a little less. 20 minutes covered and 20 minutes uncovered .

aa December 18, 2021

Delicious! Used 12 ounces Michelob Amber beer +4 ounces of water for the liquid. No other changes. The red cabbage was from our garden. The color was gorgeous.

Amy O. December 25, 2019

I made this to go along with my Mom's Swedish meatballs. It has great flavor and is super easy. I only wish it would retain the beautiful red color after cooking.

judy February 7, 2019

This is delish. I cannot eat brown sugar any longer, nor cooked sugars. So I cooked this down and then added about 3 Tbsp of sugar at the end which melted in beautifully. Really nice. Less than half the recipe and really well re civet from my hubby.

AntoniaJames December 18, 2017

This one's a keeper. I used Stockyard Oatmeal Stout and stuck to the brief to the letter, though I braised it a bit longer than suggested. I used vegetable stock from River Cottage vegetable bouillon (recipe on this site). Easy, gorgeous, tastes great, can be made ahead . . . . what more can you ask of a holiday side? ;o)

KR December 10, 2017

Made this & it was DELISH: My variation was no beer or broth, only about 1 c of water. Even though I forgot the butter & added it at the end, it was fab! Thx for the recipe! It's much like the one my mom made, although she made a slurry w the vinegar, sugar & cornstarch ....this version is much easier.

rachelib January 22, 2013

eating this out of the pot as is simmers done. Delicious made almost as directed (no beer)

Tarragon September 4, 2012

This is a wonderful recipe. For a weeknight I reduced the initial 1 hour to 8 minutes by using a pressure cooker. I also omitted the beer and just increased the vegetable stock. Will definitely make again - I like bd20009's idea of the balsamic vinegar to make up for the beer, but it really isn't necessary.

Fran M. April 22, 2011

I wanted to make a cabbage dish tonight I saw this and I am thinking about making it. The question i have is I don't like the taste of beer. I was wondering if in the final dish you can taste the stout?

bd20009 April 22, 2011

I couldn't taste it. It simmers for so long, the alcohol must cook out, and the stout gives it a depth of flavor. But not beer flavor :)

bd20009 January 2, 2011

I am really happy with the results! Used brown ale (all I had on hand) and substituted beef stock for the vegetable stock. I added a splash of good balsamic vinegar to make up for the brown ale substitution. Really tasty!

Stockout January 2, 2011

Thank you, bd. I just made a batch myself this weekend to eat with sagegreen's winning latkes and a roasted miso chicken, also from here, which I am making tomorrow. Happy New Year to you!

Stockout November 19, 2010

You could make this up to a week in advance. The vinegar and sugar help to preserve the cabbage and don't tell anyone but I once found a leftover container of this in my fridge that had to be 2 months old and it not only looked ok, it did not smell (yes, I know....cabbage??).

Mr. T. November 19, 2010

Can this be made in advance for T-Day and if so, how many days beforehand? Thank you! I'm really looking forward to making -- and eating -- this! ;o)

AntoniaJames November 19, 2010

Ooops. That was me. I was on Mr. T's computer and didn't realized he hadn't logged out . . . .;o)

Stockout November 17, 2010

I wish I had said that a well as you have. I just assumed Netta added the stout to calm Grandpa down...lol

AntoniaJames November 17, 2010

Too funny!! I'm really looking forward to trying this recipe. And I'll be thinking about Netta, and your Grandpa, when I do!! (And also thinking about how my mother served herself liver and onions, happily, while we ate something else, and our reactions to the liver was, always, "Oh, yuck!" I have so been there.) ;o)

Homebaked November 25, 2017

I never minded eating the liver and onions, it was my sister who gagged on it. ;) Love my mom's red cabbage, might have to try this version, it sounds great.

AntoniaJames November 17, 2010

My mouth is watering, just reading this. So, so delicious sounding. Really like the addition of the stout . . . just a touch of bitterness to balance the sweetness of the cabbage and sugar. Love it!! ;o)

Grandma Netta's Red Cabbage Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How do you make Aunt Jeanette's red cabbage? ›

Place butter, cabbage, apples, and sugar into a large pot. Pour in the vinegar and water, and season with salt, pepper, and clove. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the cabbage is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Do you soak red cabbage before cooking? ›

If you notice any signs of worms or insects, which sometimes appears in cabbage, soak the head in salt water or vinegar water for 15-20 minutes first. To preserve its vitamin C content, cut and wash the cabbage right before cooking or eating it.

What is the best way to eat red cabbage? ›

Pickled red cabbage is an excellent match for cheese, cold meats and smoked fish. Red cabbage braised with vinegar and apples makes a traditional sweet and sour recipe to accompany a roast and beautifully spiced versions are commonly found at Christmas celebrations served with turkey, goose or baked ham.

Does red cabbage cook the same as regular cabbage? ›

Red Cabbage vs.

Red and green cabbage can be used interchangeably in most recipes. The difference between cooking green cabbage and red cabbage is just one extra step. The compounds that give red cabbage its color, called anthocyanins, are water-soluble and will turn an unappetizing blue color when cooked.

What happens when you add baking soda to red cabbage? ›

The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution based on the color that it changes. The vinegar will turn the cabbage juice red because it is an acid (acetic acid). The baking soda will turn the cabbage juice greenish-yellow because it is a base (sodium bicarbonate).

Why is vinegar added to red cabbage? ›

When you sauté red cabbage, the acids evaporate off and it can turn blue. All you have to do is add lemon juice or vinegar to bring back the bright red color. For this same reason, you may have seen a blue circle around the cherries in cherry muffins.

How do you take the bitterness out of red cabbage? ›

Salt is your friend: Salt acts as a natural counter to bitter tastes. Adding a bit more salt or something salty like capers to bitter-tasting cabbage will dampen the bitter tastes and increase the sensation from the natural sugars.

Why does red cabbage take so long to cook? ›

The central vein in each leaf is tough, particularly on the outer leaves, so you may wish to cut this away, too, especially if you want to cook the cabbage quickly as this part is very dense and will take a long time.

What does red cabbage do to your body? ›

Fiber content: Red cabbage is a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes bowel regularity. Fiber also helps regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight. Vitamin K: Red cabbage is high in vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone health.

What meat goes with red cabbage? ›

Sweet and sour red cabbage is a perfect side dish for sausages, pork chops, schnitzel or German pork burgers. This braised cabbage also pairs well with roast chicken, duck, and roast beef.

How often should you eat red cabbage? ›

To get the most benefit, try to consume ½ to ¾ cup cooked or 1 ½ cup raw cabbage per day at least 5 days per week. This is pretty easy to do since there are so many ways to prepare cabbage. Traditional methods of steaming or boiling cabbage can extract flavor and nutrients.

What vegetable is similar to red cabbage? ›

Although it looks like a small red cabbage, radicchio belongs to the chicory family. This small, vivid veggie packs a punch of flavor, with a chewy texture and slightly bitter taste. Jam-packed with big flavors, it has big health payoffs too, especially when eaten raw.

Is red cabbage healthier than regular cabbage? ›

But red cabbage has higher levels of some types of antioxidants than other types of cabbage. These nutrients are thought to help reduce the risk of health conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Red cabbage is particularly rich in anthocyanins, which are a type of flavonoid.

Is red cabbage better than broccoli? ›

Broccoli and cabbage are both nutrient-dense foods that are beneficial to a healthy diet. Yet, when it comes down to it broccoli is more nutrient-dense than cabbage. Cabbage and broccoli are both part of the mustard family. Broccoli has more of all of the body's essential minerals and vitamins than cabbage does.

How do you eat Aunt Nellie's red cabbage? ›

Serving Suggestions

Place sausage such as bratwurst or chicken in skillet; cook completely. Add Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage to pan. Simmer briefly to heat through. Drain Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage well and use it in place of sauerkraut for a Reuben that will bring raves.

How do you cook red cabbage and keep the color? ›

Lock in the colour by adding a touch of vinegar when cooking red cabbage in water. This stops the lovely deep purple hue from running. Don't be too heavy-handed with red cabbage.

How do you make Chinese cabbage Hogwarts legacy? ›

How To Grow Chinese Chomping Cabbages In Hogwarts Legacy. So long as the player has purchased Chinese Chomping Cabbage Seeds from the Dogweed and Deathcap, they will be able to grow their own by interacting with a Potting Table.

Why do you soak red cabbage in water? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

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