traditional braised red cabbage

Braised red cabbage, a favourite side dish, particularly around Christmas. A Winter dish flavoured with apple, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and sweetened with crab apple jelly.

Braised red cabbage is a great side dish and one that is perfect at this time of year.

The combination of spices, the sweet crab apple jelly and the sharpness of red wine vinegar, make it ideal for serving alongside rich roasted meats.

Braised red cabbage adds a sharp contrast to often butter laden vegetable side dishes we serve with our Christmas or Sunday roasts.

This spiced red cabbage dish works well with a number of dishes. However, it goes beautifully with pork, chicken, duck and is particularly good with Christmas turkey or goose.

Are there are other spices I can use?

Cinnamon, clove and star anise are the spices we have used here, however some grated nutmeg could also be added. If there is a spice you don’t like, then simply leave it out.

The important thing is to ensure the spicing is light, don’t be heavy handed with the spices. The amounts suggested in the recipe below are quite sufficient to add a balance of spice to the dish.

Substitutes for crab apple jelly:

We have used crab apple jelly as I always have either that or apple jelly in my store cupboard at home. I always make my own Apple Jelly and am lucky enough to have a friend who always gifts me her wonderful crab apple jelly.

However bramble jelly, blackcurrant jelly or cranberry jelly would also work really well in the dish.

What you are looking for is a jelly that will add a fruity sweetness to the dish, without making is sickly sweet.

Can I make red cabbage ahead of time?

Braised red cabbage is a great make ahead dish. Make it up to 2 days ahead of time and simply warm it up on the day.

I love serving red cabbage on Christmas day, however we all have too much to do on the day itself. So I like to get ahead of the game!

Can I freeze braised red cabbage?

Braised cabbage is also freezes really well!

I usually make a batch of spiced red cabbage around November/early December. What I do then is freeze it into 2 batches, one for Christmas day and one for Boxing day leftovers.

Simply remove from the freezer and allow to defrost thoroughly overnight in the fridge. Then when ready to eat, place in a pan and if necessary add a little more water if the mixture is looking dry.

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Alternative recipe suggestions:

If you like this recipe then try our other great side dishes:

• Savoy Cabbage with Bacon & Cider
• Creamed Brussel Sprouts
• Easy Boulangere Potatoes
• Potato Pave

All these dishes work great as a vegetable accompaniment to these mains:

• Roast Leg of Pork with Cranberry Stuffing
• Beef Cheek Braised in Red Wine
• Crispy Roast Pork Belly
• Pork Fillet wrapped in Bacon

Braised Red Cabbage

Braised red cabbage, a favourite side dish, particularly around Christmas. A Winter dish flavoured with apple, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and sweetened with crab apple jelly.

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 118kcal

Author: Lesley Garden

Ingredients

• ▢ 40 g unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 large onion (sliced)
• ▢ 2 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and chopped)
• ▢ 1 kg red cabbage (finely shredded)
• ▢ 50 ml red wine vinegar
• ▢ 100 ml cold water
• ▢ 5 cm cinnamon stick
• ▢ 3 whole cloves
• ▢ 1 star anise
• ▢ 2 tbsp soft brown sugar
• ▢ 4 tbsp crab apple jelly
• ▢ 1 tsp ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 tsp salt

Instructions

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the sliced onion and saute for 10 minutes until soft but not coloured. Add the apple and cabbage to the pan and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes.
• Add all the remaining ingredients to the pan and heat until the liquid starts to bubble. Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer and cover the pan with a tight fitting lid.
• Simmer gently for about 1 hour on the stove top, until the red cabbage has softened. If the cabbage is looking a little dry after 45 minutes, give it a stir and add a little water to allow it to continue cooking.
• Remove the cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise before serving.

Notes

This braised red cabbage can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge until you are ready to heat up and serve. It also freezes really well, simply allow to cool before placing into an airtight container and placing in the freezer.

Nutrition Facts

Braised Red Cabbage

Amount Per Serving

Calories 118 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 9mg3%

Sodium 498mg22%

Potassium 304mg9%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 1236IU25%

Vitamin C 60mg73%

Calcium 58mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Canape, Starter, Side, Side Dish

Cuisine : British

Keyword : Braised, Easy, Simple, Spiced

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