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Sweet and Sour Cabbage

This sweet and sour cabbage is the perfect easy yet tasty side dish. Red cabbage and a sweet apple are braised in sugar and vinegar, resulting in the most tender and delicious cabbage. 

sweet and sour cabbage on plate


 

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We love a good cabbage recipe in our house and I’ve been searching for ways to add it to our meal rotation. I’m always drawn to red cabbage because of its vibrant color, like this vinegar coleslaw using red cabbage. So when I made this sweet and sour cabbage, I was in love. 

Inspired by the German sweet and sour cabbage recipes I saw online, I made this recipe and I’ve been hooked ever since. There aren’t many ingredients and all you’ll need is a little patience while the cabbage takes time to braise on the stovetop.

Be sure to try my Instant Pot Cabbage or Creamed Cabbage with Sausage recipes too. 

How to make sweet and sour cabbage

  • First, gather your ingredients. Chop your head of cabbage into large chunks and chop a sweet apple. I like to use a Fuji apple in this recipe.
ingredients for sweet and sour cabbage

  • Place the chopped cabbage, apple, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and allspice in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it over medium-low heat. 
  • cabbage, apples, salt, and pepper inside pot

  • Allow the cabbage to cook, over medium-low heat, for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes, until the cabbage is tender enough for your liking.   
  • cooked cabbage inside pot

  • Serve and enjoy. 
  • close up photo of cabbage

    What to add to sweet and sour cabbage?

    This cabbage is perfect as is, but you can make it your own by adding other ingredients. 

    • Try adding bacon or sausage for a smokey meaty flavor addition.
    • Red pepper flakes if you like things a little spicy. 
    • Add carrots for a cabbage and carrot combo. 
    • Use green cabbage if that’s what you have on hand. 

    Notes on Sweet and Sour Cabbage

    • Use a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid so the liquid stays inside the pot. Cabbage will release a good bit of liquid while it cooks.
    • Keep the heat on medium-low and stir about every 20 minutes.

    What should I serve this cabbage with?

    sweet and sour cabbage on plate
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    4.50 from 6 votes

    Sweet and Sour Cabbage

    This sweet and sour cabbage is the perfect easy yet tasty side dish. Red cabbage and a sweet apple are braised in sugar and vinegar, resulting in the most tender and delicious cabbage.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American, German
    Keyword red cabbage recipe, sweet and sour cabbage
    Prep Time 8 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 8 minutes
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 52kcal
    Author Tanya

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium head red cabbage chopped into large chunks (about 6-7 cups)
    • 1 sweet apple chopped. (Fuji, honey crisp, etc)
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon allspice

    Instructions

    • Place the chopped cabbage, apple, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and allspice in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it over medium-low heat.
    • Allow the cabbage to cook, over medium-low heat, for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes, until the cabbage is tender.
    • Remove from heat, serve, and enjoy.

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    Notes

    • Use a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid so the liquid stays inside the pot. Cabbage will release a good bit of liquid while it cooks.
    • Keep the heat on medium-low and stir about every 20 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 873mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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    4.50 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)
    Recipe Rating




    Jim

    Tuesday 23rd of July 2024

    Hello Tanya, I LOVE cabbage and this is a very delicious recipe. I used a green cabbage (what I had on hand) but will use red next time simply because it looks better, haha. A recipe simple enough for a 71 year old man! Thanks!

    Tanya

    Wednesday 24th of July 2024

    Thanks so much, Jim! So happy you like the recipe. And yes, red will look so much better lol. Next time :)

    Krystie

    Friday 5th of April 2024

    Can you process this in a canner to store?

    Tanya

    Sunday 7th of April 2024

    Hey Krystie, I'm not sure. I haven't tried to can this recipe and I don't want to lead you in the wrong direction.

    deb

    Sunday 10th of March 2024

    OMG!! This tastes ah-mazinf,..and a different way to serve cabbage,..I added some maple syrup and some sweet chili sauce, along with some rice vinegar,...too good!!!

    Tanya

    Monday 11th of March 2024

    Thanks so much, deb! I love your additions! That sounds amazing!

    Scott

    Monday 6th of November 2023

    Is the apple chopped when added?

    Tanya

    Thursday 9th of November 2023

    Hi Scott, yes it is. My apologies for not including that critical note in the recipe. I've updated the recipe. Hope you enjoy.

    Marcy

    Tuesday 3rd of October 2023

    This is SO GOOD! I used a honey crisp apple and I made my own allspice. It was the perfect balance of flavors and the best use for the purple cabbage I got from my farm share!

    Tanya

    Wednesday 4th of October 2023

    Thank you, Marcy! So happy you liked the recipe :)