This sweet and sour cabbage is an easy one-pot side made with red cabbage, sweet apple, and apple cider vinegar. It braises low and slow until tender, with the right balance of sweet and tart in every bite.

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

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 for its vibrant color, and this vinegar coleslaw is no exception. So when I made this sweet and sour cabbage, I was in love.

Inspired by 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.

5 Star Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lorna. says, "This has an excellent balance of flavors. I like to saute the cabbage in a bit butter first but i give it 5 stars."

A Quick Look at the Ingredients

Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Red cabbage - Choose a firm head with vibrant color; chop into large chunks so they hold their shape during the long braise. If you don't have red cabbage, feel free to use a firm green cabbage instead.
Sweet apple - Fuji or Honeycrisp work, adding natural sweetness that balances the vinegar's tang.
Apple cider vinegar - This provides the signature tangy flavor that makes the dish "sour."
Granulated sugar - Balances the acidity and helps create that perfect sweet-and-sour flavor profile.
Kosher salt and ground black pepper- Season to your taste.
Ground Allspice - I use a ton of allspice in my cooking, and I just had to add it to this dish. Feel free to sub with another warm spice, like cinnamon or nutmeg.

How to make sweet and sour cabbage

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: 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

Step 3: 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. Serve and enjoy 🙂

Variations

This cabbage is great as written, but here are a few ways I like to switch it up.

Add bacon. Cook a few slices until crisp, then crumble them in at the end for a smoky, salty bite. It's one of the more popular ways to make this dish and adds a nice richness.
Make it meaty. Stir in sliced smoked sausage, or serve it next to browned bratwurst for a heartier plate.
Turn up the heat. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it a little kick.
Add carrots. They bring more color and a touch of natural sweetness.
Add maple syrup. One reader stirred in a little maple syrup along with rice vinegar and sweet chili sauce and loved the result.

Make Ahead and Storage

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Reheat: Warm it on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Add a small splash of water if it looks dry.
Serve warm or at room temperature: It's good both ways, which makes it easy to make ahead for a holiday spread or a potluck.

Tanya's Top Tips about Sweet and Sour Cabbage

Use a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid to keep the liquid inside. 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?

Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin - A rich, special-occasion main. The sweet-and-sour bite of the cabbage cuts right through it.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken - Crispy and savory, and the cabbage adds a little brightness to the plate.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes - Another sweeter side that goes great with this cabbage.
Smothered Turkey Wings - Hearty and gravy-heavy. The cabbage lightens things up alongside it.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. Thank you for your support!

Tanya Harris