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Braised red cabbage in a black and cream serving bowl with bowls of roast potatoes and carrot and swede mash in the background.

Braised Red Cabbage

By: Deborah
Sweet and tangy - this braised red cabbage is a classic side dish that pairs beautifully with roast meats and game birds, especially wild pigeon or duck. Easy to make ahead, it’s perfect for Christmas, Sunday dinners, or cosy winter meals.  
PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 1 hour 30 minutes
TOTAL: 1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: German
Servings: 6 people
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 red cabbage (approx. 1kg) quartered, cored and finely shredded
  • 200 ml (6.8 floz) clear malt vinegar
  • 150 g (5.3 oz) light brown sugar
  • 150 g (5.3 oz) unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C fan/gas 6. Place the shredded cabbage in a large ovenproof casserole. Pour in the vinegar, sprinkle over the sugar and add the melted butter. Season with the salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir well to combine.
  • Cook in the oven for 1.5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent the top from drying out. If there is still a lot of liquid at the end of the cooking time, using a slotted spoon, transfer the cabbage to a serving dish. Put the casserole on the hob over a high heat and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, until it’s reduced to a syrupy sauce. Pour it back over the cabbage, toss to coat and serve.

Notes

  • Optional variations: 
    • Add red wine, cloves and cranberries for a festive version. 
    • Add a handful of raisins or cranberries for extra sweetness. 
    • Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a spiced winter twist. 
    • Sauté chopped bacon before adding it to the cabbage for smoky richness.  
    • Include juniper berries and caraway seeds for German-style red cabbage. 
  • This braised red cabbage recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people. 
 
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Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 831mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 2487IU | Vitamin C: 95mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

KEYWORDS braised red cabbage, Christmas red cabbage, easy red cabbage recipe, festive vegetable side, Gordon Ramsay braised red cabbage recipe, red cabbage side dish, Sunday Lunch and Other Recipes from the F Word
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