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Oma's Classic Red Cabbage With Apples (Rotkohl/Rotkraut)

My red cabbage (rotkohl) is sweet, tangy, and easy ... just like Mutti’s. A traditional side dish that’s perfect year-round.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head red cabbage, shredded
• 2 - 3 tablespoons (30-45 g) bacon fat, butter, or olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 apples, peeled and cored, shredded or diced
• ½ cup (120 ml) red wine (optional)
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
• 2 teaspoons (8 g) white or brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon (1 g) ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon (0.5 g) ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon (0.5 g) freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml)lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons (16 g) 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:

• Short on time? Use jarred red cabbage, add apples, simmer 10 minutes, then season and thicken
• Skip the apples? Try my other red cabbage recipe for an easy variation
• For more texture, slice (not shred) and cook for just 30 minutes
• Mix up the spices or use different vinegars like balsamic or red wine vinegar
• Tastes even better the next day. Leftovers keep well in the fridge or freeze

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | justlikeoma.com 

Recipe updated on May 11, 2025