Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl * (2024)

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Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl * (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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There’s nothing quite like delicious German red cabbage, aka Rotkohl, Blaukohl, or Blaukraut. It is the perfect side dish to just about any German meal.

This traditional German red cabbage recipe calls for apples, which gives it that wonderful sweet-and-sour flavor.

This dish will also add such a vibrant pop of color to your meal! Even people who say they aren’t a big cabbage fan find it’s almost like eating candy! They take second helpings, it's so good.

Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl * (4)

Plus, this recipe for red cabbage is an easy side dish to make and tastes even better the next day, so it’s a good idea to make it ahead of time if you can.

Red cabbage recipes are really a staple in German cuisine.

What is German red cabbage?

This traditional German side dish is shredded red cabbage (also known as purple cabbage) that is braised. That is to say, just like braised meats, the raw cabbage is lightly browned in a little fat, then liquid is added as the cabbage continues to cook until tender.

In Germany, this traditional recipe is known by different names, depending on the region. In Northern Germany, where I’m from, red cabbage is called Rotkohl. In Central and Western Germany it is called Rotkraut. And in Southern Germany it is called Blaukohl or Blaukraut, which translate to blue cabbage.

The difference between Rotkohl and Blaukohl lies in the method of preparation. One uses apples and vinegar to turn the purple cabbage red and the other uses baking soda and juniper berries which turns the cabbage blue.

Sweet and sour red cabbage is the usual way I love to make this side dish. In fact, it's the only way that I recall my Mutti ever serving red cabbage. It's German food at its best! :)

However, there are other ways that some Germans make this. Some will insist on cooking the cabbage until it turns to total mush. Others, like to keep a bit of a bite and will not cook it as long.

Some will insist that juniper berries, bay leaves, whole cloves, cinnamon, and/or apple juice need to be added.

My suggestion? First, try it the way I've posted it below (which in my humble opinion is the best red cabbage recipe!) and then go ahead and experiment with the various other ingredients to find the right recipe that suits you best.

IMPORTANT

You'll need a nice big knife to cut through the cabbage, as well as some disposable gloves.

Why the gloves?

If you don't use gloves, your hands will be stained a lovely pink and purple color from cutting the red cabbage! A stain that is hard to remove.

Lemon juice will help to remove it. Oh, and do wear an apron.

Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl * (5)

This is a really easy recipe to make vegan. In fact, it's my favorite one to use when I'm serving it to a mixed gathering, with vegans and non-vegans. Both really enjoy this.

To make it a vegan recipe for red cabbage:

  • Make sure you use oil instead of the butter or lard

Yep, it's that easy to convert. If you have vegan butter, you can use that, but it's not necessary.

Lydia Remembers...

I have so many wunderbar memories in the kitchen with my Oma, and have had MANY of her most popular and traditional recipes, like this red cabbage.

This recipe for red cabbage has become one of my very, very favorites. Every family get-together we have where there is red cabbage sitting on the table, I can about imagine the priceless look on my face. Of course, I'll have more than a couple servings of it. How can I resist Oma's famous cabbage!

I tend to cheat a little bit and buy the red cabbage in a jar, instead of making it totally from scratch like Oma does for the family. Though sometimes, I know Oma likes to keep it simple and use thejarred red cabbage one, too!

When I make red cabbage, I love to serve it alongside Oma's recipe for slow cooker roast beef (tastes like rouladen), and gravy made from the meat juice.

Go to recipe >

When Oma makes her red cabbage from scratch...I'm telling you, it is SO lecker! Especially with the apple chunks in it. That really is the cherry on-top of the finished product.

Learn a little bit about me,Lydia, and my kitchen adventures with Oma!

Need that “all’s good with the world” feeling? Comfort food will do that. Get your copy of Oma's German favorites in herComfort Foods e-Cookbook.

Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl * (7)

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

Oma says,

Our kids repeatedly ask for this. Because this is such a family favorite, I always make a big batch of this Rotkohl recipe by getting the largest red cabbage I can find.

Also, you can use any kind of apple for this recipe.

From sweet apples, like a Fuji, to sweet and tart apples, like a Honey Crisp, to just plain tart apples like a green apple (aka Granny Smith); whatever you happen to have in your crisper will work.

What to serve with sweet and sour German red cabbage

Authentic German red cabbage goes particularly well with hearty meats such as:

  • beef recipes like Sauerbratenor German Goulash
  • pork recipes like breaded pork chopsand pork roast
  • poultry recipes like roast duck(served with potato dumplings, this a very traditional meal for the holidays!)

German red cabbage is also one of the TOP 10 traditional side dishes to serve with rouladen!

If you'd like to check out more popular German side dishes, click herefor a list of the top 24 best German side dishes.

Ready to make this recipe for red cabbage?

Is the recipe below locked?Here'swhy.

Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl * (9)

Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl

There’s nothing quite like this delicious recipe for red cabbage. German red cabbage is the perfect side dish to just about any German meal. The apples in this recipe give it that wonderful sweet-and-sour flavor.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

60 minutes

Total Time

70 minutes

Servings:

Makes 6 - 8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium head red cabbage, shredded
  • 2 - 3 tablespoons bacon fat, butter, or olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 apples, peeled and cored, shredded or diced
  • ½ cup red wine (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons white or brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot or large dutch oven, heat bacon fat over medium heat and lightly sauté the onion.
  2. Add shredded cabbage and apples. Continue to sauté for several minutes.
  3. Add 1 cup water, red wine (if using), cider vinegar, sugar, salt, nutmeg, cloves, and pepper. Stir.
  4. Bring to a simmer and cover. Simmer for about 30 to 60 minutes or until the cabbage is tender, adding more water if needed.
  5. Add lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt, cloves, pepper, sugar, and vinegar as needed.
  6. Mix about 2 tablespoons cornstarch with cold water and slowly stir in just enough to thicken red cabbage liquid.

Notes/Hints:

  • For an extra quick red cabbage recipe, use canned or jarred red cabbage. Add shredded or grated apples. Simmer until apples are cooked, about 10 minutes. Season and thicken with corn starch as above.
  • Want another version for red cabbage without the apples? Then check out my other German Red Cabbage recipe. There are easy instructions there how to cook cabbage as well as prepare it.
  • The traditional recipe for red cabbage calls for cooking the cabbage until it's almost mush. If you prefer, you can slice the cabbage instead of shredding and cook it only about ½ hour instead if you prefer a more textured cabbage dish. Delicious as well.
  • Feel free to experiment with a different mix of spices and herbs (as mentioned above), as well as other vinegars, such as: white vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and white or red wine vinegar.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day. Leftover red cabbage will last a few days in an airtight container in your fridge. Extras also freeze well.

* * * * *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

04.27.2022 revision update

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Words for the Wise

"The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips."

Proverbs 18:7 (NLT)

Top of Recipe for Red Cabbage

Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl * (2024)

FAQs

Authentic German Red Cabbage Recipe with Apples – Oma's Rotkohl *? ›

Ingredients for German Red Cabbage:

Apple: any kind will do, but Granny Smith, McIntosh or other tart apple are especially delicious. Apple cider vinegar: or white vinegar will substitute. The vinegar and apple help the cabbage to retain its vibrant color.

What kind of apple for German red cabbage? ›

Ingredients for German Red Cabbage:

Apple: any kind will do, but Granny Smith, McIntosh or other tart apple are especially delicious. Apple cider vinegar: or white vinegar will substitute. The vinegar and apple help the cabbage to retain its vibrant color.

What is the difference between rotkohl and blaukraut? ›

Rotkohl and Blaukraut are often used synonymously, but they are actually two different dishes. Rotkohl always has among its ingredients an acid (vinegar), which keeps the cabbage red. Recipes for Blaukraut do not include an acid, which results in a much bluer end product.

Is German red cabbage good for you? ›

It's packed with vitamin A, potassium and antioxidant-rich vitamin C; it's low in calories and it's a good source of dietary fiber. And of the many ways to cook cabbage, this is one of the easiest. Simply cut up a few ingredients, add them to a pot, and stir occasionally until everything is soft and sweet.

How long does rotkohl last? ›

Make ahead and storage: You can make the Rotkohl 2-3 days in advance and store it in the fridge in an airtight container after letting it cool down. Freezing: You can also freeze the cooked Rotkohl. Let it cool down, divide it into portions into large freezer bags, and freeze it for up to 3 months.

What's the difference between sauerkraut and red cabbage? ›

Red cabbage is called “Rotkraut” or sometimes “Blaukraut” in German. It's generally not fermented into Sauerkraut but rather cooked or served raw (coleslaw). “Red cabbage is often used raw for salads and coleslaw.

What meat goes well 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.

What is the difference between sauerkraut and Rotkohl? ›

I find that compared to sauerkraut, rotkohl it is not as intensely mouth puckering and has a milder, subtly sweet taste thanks to the addition of apples, cider, and a little bit of sugar.

Is pickled red cabbage the same as sauerkraut? ›

This pickled red cabbage is not the same as kimchi or sauerkraut (which is fermented for sometimes weeks at a time). This is a fresh & quick-pickled preparation that can be ready in just a few hours' time + stored in the fridge for a week (or more).

Why is red cabbage so good? ›

The whopping amounts of essential minerals in red cabbage makes it one of the best vegetable to have that ensure healthy bone development. The richness of minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese promotes bone growth and mineral density that guards against osteoporosis, arthritis and other inflammation.

Is red cabbage good for high blood pressure? ›

Diets high in anthocyanins, like those found in red cabbage, are linked with lower blood pressure. They're also linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease.

Is it OK to eat red cabbage every day? ›

Regular consumption of red cabbage can benefit people having high blood pressure. Cabbage has higher levels of potassium, which is known to regulate and maintain blood pressure in the heart. Therefore, having this nutrient-dense vegetable can also prevent cardiovascular diseases.

What is the most nutritious way to eat red cabbage? ›

A lot of its frumpy reputation comes from it being over-pickled or boiled for an eon. Although it's a sturdy vegetable it's not invincible… Go raw. Lock in nutrients by eating your cabbage uncooked in salads.

Should you refrigerate red cabbage? ›

How to Store Cabbage in the Fridge. Whether it's red or green, Savoy or napa, fresh cabbage should be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. For red, green and Savoy cabbage heads, this storage method will keep the cabbage fresh for up to 10 days.

What do you eat with rotkohl? ›

Remove the onion (with the cloves) before serving. This goes really well with almost any German meat recipe, especially traditional with rouladen or schnitzel, but also great with pork chops, roast beef, and roast chicken.

Does cabbage need to be refrigerated? ›

Cabbage is best stored whole and unrinsed until you're ready to use it. Cutting into it will cause it to lose vitamin C, which will lead to faster spoilage. To store a head of cabbage, place it in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge. A head of cabbage will last up two months when stored this way.

What apples are best for apple crisps? ›

What Makes A Good Apple For Apple Crisp? The best apples for baking keep their structure under heat, which prevents the chunks of fruit from turning into mush after baking. The firm and crisp Granny Smith and Honeycrisp varieties are popular apples to use in apple pies and apple crisps.

What is the best apple for roasting? ›

The best apple for roasting is one that's firm, crispy, and mildly sweet: a Honeycrisp variety makes a perfect roasting option with its refreshing sweetness. Piñata® apples are another apple that lends well to roasting.

What is the best red apple to cook with? ›

Tickled Pink. The best red-fleshed cooking apple. Looks stunning in desserts and makes a bright pink juice. Tickled Pink can also be eaten fresh from the tree.

What are German apples? ›

German baked apples (German: Bratapfel) are a German dish of baked apples traditionally made with the Dutch Belle de Boskoop apple. They can be prepared with many different fillings and are a common Christmas dish. Often they are served with vanilla custard.

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