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You might be surprised to see cabbage and apples together in one side dish but the truth is they go so well together. They complement each other’s sweetness and pair beautifully with a plant-based roast or any other meat substitute. Have you ever tried it?

completed Sweet and Sour Red cabbage with Apples in a white bowl
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German Tradition

As new as this preparation might seem to some, it has been a big part of German food tradition for centuries. Rotkhol as they call it in German is a very popular side dish in Germanic lands and for a good reason. The braised red cabbage and the caramelized apples make for a delicious sweet companion to many main dishes such as savory pies.

We like to eat it alongside some plant-based turkey, steamed green peas, and some delicious vegan gravy! It is a great dish to have on your Thanksgiving or Christmas table. It will give that (usually) very varied holiday feast serving a perfect touch of sweetness. You can buy a similar version in a jar at your grocery store but it will hardly beat this homemade version. It is that good!

Large white serving bowl filled with sweet and sour red cabbage.

Red Cabbage Galore

The first thing we might associate with red cabbage is coleslaw, and we get it. It’s a side dish we’ll always love but maybe it’s time to get creative and try some new red cabbage creations!

One of those is this amazing Sweet and Sour Cabbage with Red Apples! It has a holiday feel but it can be prepared any time during the colder months. Another way to use more cabbage in your kitchen is to make a delicious Asian inspired salad or to try and make your own red sauerkraut.

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Photos by Alfonso Revilla

finished sweet and sour red cabbage in a white bowl against a white background

Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage with Apples

4.90 from 46 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
This German inspired Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage with Apples is the the perfect side dish for a plant-based roast or vegan pot pie!

Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 head of red cabbage, quartered, cored, and finely shredded with a knife
  • 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • ¾ cup of boiling water
  • 3 Tablespoons of neutral (canola, vegetable, etc.) oil
  • ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup of brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds (optional)

Instructions 

  • Put the cabbage and apples in a large covered pot over medium heat. Add boiling water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, until cabbage is slightly softened.
  • Combine remaining ingredients and add to cabbage. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Notes

As new as this preparation might seem to some, it has been a big part of German food tradition for centuries. Rotkhol as they call it in German is a very popular side dish in Germanic lands and for a good reason. The braised red cabbage and the caramelized apples make for a delicious sweet companion to many main dishes such as savory pies.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 817mgPotassium: 466mgFiber: 5gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 1613IUVitamin C: 84mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Stefan
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: German
Method: Stove
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
4.90 from 46 votes (45 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Yummy and pretty! Went well with black eye peas for a lucky new year. Used half the sugar. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.