Grandma Netta's Red Cabbage Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: Stockout

November17,2010

4.5

8 Ratings

  • Serves 6 to 8

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

My maternal step-grandmother was actually Italian but married my German/Swedish grandfather, whom she met while working in a German restaurant. She had to learn to cook good German and Swedish meals because that was all my grandfather would eat. When I stayed over, she always made me Italian food and him, calves liver and onions.....oh yuck! (Hey, I was 10 at the time.) The 2 things I wish I had begged her to show me how to make were her wonderfully light potato dumplings (which I can still taste today) and her great sauerbraten. I did manage to squirrel away the red cabbage recipe from my Uncle, who still makes it every fall holiday meal. I know there are no onion or apples in this recipe. It is just a simple, light sweet-sour sauced cabbage dish. Here's to you, Grandma Annette, and to whoever gets the bay leaf.....the dishes are all yours. —Stockout

Test Kitchen Notes

This delicious red cabbage was so simple to prepare—just dump the ingredients in a large pot, cover, and simmer for an hour. The glazing that occurs during the next uncovered phase (about 1/2 hour) not only concentrates the delicate sweet-and-sour flavor, but also creates a nice shine, which prevents the tender cabbage from looking dull on your plate. I didn’t miss the typical additions of apple and onion at all, as there was just the right amount of sweetness from the brown sugar. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it dish, which makes it an ideal holiday side. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 large head red cabbage (about 2 pounds)
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter (4 tablespoons)
  • 1/2 cupapple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cupdark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cupsvegetable stock (or chicken)
  • 1/2 cupgood stout beer
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
  1. Quarter, core, and chop cabbage into 1/4-inch slices. Place all ingredients into a large 5-quart stockpot and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
  2. After 1 hour, uncover, and simmer until liquid is almost all gone and the cabbage is glazed.

Tags:

  • German
  • Cabbage
  • Vegetable
  • Make Ahead
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Fall
  • Christmas
  • Thanksgiving
  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Side
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Vegetarian Holiday Side

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20 Reviews

pop November 10, 2022

I bought a massive head of red cabbage before I had a recipe. I was hoping inspiration would come later. The cabbage sat like a Jeffrey Dahmer trophy in the back of my fridge for several weeks. Cabbage is so hearty though. Peeled back a few layers of leaves to reveal a reborn cabbage. Found this simple old world recipe. Didn't have stout beer so sub'd balsamic + Chinese Black vinegar. Would pull back the sugar next time to be less sweet and more sour. Served it with a pouch of Trader Joe's spicy Tikka vegetables and leftover basmati. It created one of those combinations where you are sad when it is all gone even though you are full. Highly recommend the recipe.

Lauren M. October 23, 2022

Really lovely recipe. We have made the full recipe as well as just cooking with the sugar (we use maple syrup)/ vinegar, and a splash of water. Always comes out delicious. We do like to cook it a little less. 20 minutes covered and 20 minutes uncovered .

aa December 18, 2021

Delicious! Used 12 ounces Michelob Amber beer +4 ounces of water for the liquid. No other changes. The red cabbage was from our garden. The color was gorgeous.

Amy O. December 25, 2019

I made this to go along with my Mom's Swedish meatballs. It has great flavor and is super easy. I only wish it would retain the beautiful red color after cooking.

judy February 7, 2019

This is delish. I cannot eat brown sugar any longer, nor cooked sugars. So I cooked this down and then added about 3 Tbsp of sugar at the end which melted in beautifully. Really nice. Less than half the recipe and really well re civet from my hubby.

AntoniaJames December 18, 2017

This one's a keeper. I used Stockyard Oatmeal Stout and stuck to the brief to the letter, though I braised it a bit longer than suggested. I used vegetable stock from River Cottage vegetable bouillon (recipe on this site). Easy, gorgeous, tastes great, can be made ahead . . . . what more can you ask of a holiday side? ;o)

KR December 10, 2017

Made this & it was DELISH: My variation was no beer or broth, only about 1 c of water. Even though I forgot the butter & added it at the end, it was fab! Thx for the recipe! It's much like the one my mom made, although she made a slurry w the vinegar, sugar & cornstarch ....this version is much easier.

rachelib January 22, 2013

eating this out of the pot as is simmers done. Delicious made almost as directed (no beer)

Tarragon September 4, 2012

This is a wonderful recipe. For a weeknight I reduced the initial 1 hour to 8 minutes by using a pressure cooker. I also omitted the beer and just increased the vegetable stock. Will definitely make again - I like bd20009's idea of the balsamic vinegar to make up for the beer, but it really isn't necessary.

Fran M. April 22, 2011

I wanted to make a cabbage dish tonight I saw this and I am thinking about making it. The question i have is I don't like the taste of beer. I was wondering if in the final dish you can taste the stout?

bd20009 April 22, 2011

I couldn't taste it. It simmers for so long, the alcohol must cook out, and the stout gives it a depth of flavor. But not beer flavor :)

bd20009 January 2, 2011

I am really happy with the results! Used brown ale (all I had on hand) and substituted beef stock for the vegetable stock. I added a splash of good balsamic vinegar to make up for the brown ale substitution. Really tasty!

Stockout January 2, 2011

Thank you, bd. I just made a batch myself this weekend to eat with sagegreen's winning latkes and a roasted miso chicken, also from here, which I am making tomorrow. Happy New Year to you!

Stockout November 19, 2010

You could make this up to a week in advance. The vinegar and sugar help to preserve the cabbage and don't tell anyone but I once found a leftover container of this in my fridge that had to be 2 months old and it not only looked ok, it did not smell (yes, I know....cabbage??).

Mr. T. November 19, 2010

Can this be made in advance for T-Day and if so, how many days beforehand? Thank you! I'm really looking forward to making -- and eating -- this! ;o)

AntoniaJames November 19, 2010

Ooops. That was me. I was on Mr. T's computer and didn't realized he hadn't logged out . . . .;o)

Stockout November 17, 2010

I wish I had said that a well as you have. I just assumed Netta added the stout to calm Grandpa down...lol

AntoniaJames November 17, 2010

Too funny!! I'm really looking forward to trying this recipe. And I'll be thinking about Netta, and your Grandpa, when I do!! (And also thinking about how my mother served herself liver and onions, happily, while we ate something else, and our reactions to the liver was, always, "Oh, yuck!" I have so been there.) ;o)

Homebaked November 25, 2017

I never minded eating the liver and onions, it was my sister who gagged on it. ;) Love my mom's red cabbage, might have to try this version, it sounds great.

AntoniaJames November 17, 2010

My mouth is watering, just reading this. So, so delicious sounding. Really like the addition of the stout . . . just a touch of bitterness to balance the sweetness of the cabbage and sugar. Love it!! ;o)

Grandma Netta's Red Cabbage Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Grandma Netta's Red Cabbage Recipe on Food52? ›

Lock in the colour by adding a touch of vinegar when cooking red cabbage in water. This stops the lovely deep purple hue from running. Don't be too heavy-handed with red cabbage.

How do you cook red cabbage and keep the color? ›

Lock in the colour by adding a touch of vinegar when cooking red cabbage in water. This stops the lovely deep purple hue from running. Don't be too heavy-handed with red cabbage.

Does red cabbage cook the same as regular cabbage? ›

Red Cabbage vs.

Red and green cabbage can be used interchangeably in most recipes. The difference between cooking green cabbage and red cabbage is just one extra step. The compounds that give red cabbage its color, called anthocyanins, are water-soluble and will turn an unappetizing blue color when cooked.

How do you eat jarred red cabbage? ›

If you place it carefully on a hotdog along with green relish, you get a hotdog with seasonal colors, and it tastes pretty good. If you have roast duck and then have leftovers, it will go well with cold duck. It will also go well with cold pork. It might make a good contribution to salad.

What flavors go with red cabbage? ›

Onions: Red cabbage and onions are a great combination, the onion adds a nice sweetness and a little bit of sharpness to the cabbage. Vinegar: Red cabbage is often paired with vinegar, which helps to bring out its natural sweetness and adds a nice tangy flavour.

What happens when you add vinegar to red cabbage? ›

Before cooking, remove any tired or discoloured leaves and always cook red cabbage with a little vinegar. This preserves the beautiful purple colour – without it, the cabbage will turn blue!

Why do you soak red cabbage in water? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

What is the healthiest way to eat red cabbage? ›

You can add this versatile vegetable to soups, stews, salads, and coleslaw. It's delicious raw, steamed, sautéed, or fermented. It retains the most nutrients when it's eaten raw but is still highly nutritious when cooked. The flavor becomes a little milder when you cook it.

Is red cabbage healthier than green cabbage? ›

Red cabbage beats out the green version of the vegetable when it comes to nutritional content. Reducing inflammation and guarding against some cancers are just two of the health benefits believed to be the result of eating red (or purple) cabbage, per Healthline.

Does cooked red cabbage taste like cooked green cabbage? ›

While similar in flavor to its green counterpart, red cabbage tends to have a more pronounced earthy taste, complemented by a subtle underlying sweetness.

What can I do with a jar of pickled red cabbage? ›

Use it as a side dish to brighten up your plate or as an ingredient in your favourite salads and slaws. Our Pickled Red Cabbage comes in a convenient 710g jar that is easy to store in your fridge and use whenever you need it. It's perfect for meal prep or for adding a touch of flavour to your everyday cooking.

Do you heat Aunt Nellie's red cabbage? ›

Serving Suggestions

Add Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage to pan. Simmer briefly to heat through. Drain Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage well and use it in place of sauerkraut for a Reuben that will bring raves.

Is red cabbage in a jar healthy? ›

Naturally fermented sauerkraut is really healthy. It's rich in probiotics (beneficial live bacteria) as a result of fermentation. Red cabbage also contains a good amount of vitamin C, fibre, and minerals like iron and copper.

What is the nickname for red cabbage? ›

It is also known as purple cabbage, red kraut or blue kraut after preparation. The leaves of the red cabbage have a dark red/purple color.

What meat goes well with red cabbage? ›

Sweet and sour red cabbage is a perfect side dish for sausages, pork chops, schnitzel or German pork burgers. This braised cabbage also pairs well with roast chicken, duck, and roast beef.

How do you get the bitter taste out of red cabbage? ›

One way to make raw cabbage less bitter, and therefore more palatable, is to let it marinate in something salty or acidic for a while. Sauerkraut for example tastes much less bitter, plus contains helpful friendly bacteria from natural fermentation, but it takes a while to make.

Does red cabbage lose color when cooked? ›

When you sauté red cabbage, the acids evaporate off and it can turn blue. All you have to do is add lemon juice or vinegar to bring back the bright red color.

How do you keep red cabbage from turning brown? ›

Cut Cabbage: – Either wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, in a large plastic bag, or in an air-tight container in your crisper. This will help to lock in your cabbage's natural moisture and reduce oxidation.

How do you keep cooked cabbage from turning brown? ›

Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long.

Does red cabbage change color when cooked? ›

These pigments are also the reason why red cabbage turns a strange shade of blue when it's cooked: Extraordinarily sensitive to acidity, anthocyanins will turn blue when their environment goes a little alkaline; say, when tap water is added to a cooked dish (via Cook's Illustrated).

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