Grandma Jeannette's Red Cabbage

Give your dinner table a hearty dose of old-world charm with Grandma Jeannette's Red Cabbage—a tender, flavor-packed dish that perfectly balances sweet and tangy notes. This traditional German-inspired recipe combines shredded red cabbage, buttery sautéed onions, and a hint of grated apple for natural sweetness, all simmered together with red wine vinegar, cloves, and a bay leaf for a subtly spiced finish. Easy to prepare in just one pot, this comforting side pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, sausages, or holiday feasts. Ready in under an hour, it's a timeless classic rich in flavor, color, and cozy nostalgia. Perfect for weeknight dinners or festive occasions alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 head (medium, about 2 pounds) red cabbage
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 (large, peeled, cored, and grated) apple
• 1 (medium, finely chopped) onion
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

Step 1

Remove any damaged outer leaves from the red cabbage and rinse it under cool water. Cut the cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Finely shred the cabbage using a sharp knife or a mandoline.

Step 2

In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the grated apple and cook for another 2 minutes to release its natural sweetness.

Step 4

Add the shredded red cabbage to the pot and toss it gently in the buttery mixture to coat evenly.

Step 5

Pour in the red wine vinegar, water, and sprinkle in the sugar. Stir everything together to combine.

Step 6

Add the salt, black pepper, whole cloves, and bay leaf. Stir once more and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 7

Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let the cabbage cook gently for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check periodically to ensure the liquid hasn’t evaporated too much—if it gets too dry, add a splash of water as needed.

Step 8

Once the cabbage is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the whole cloves and the bay leaf from the pot.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding extra salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if needed. Serve hot as a side dish to complement your meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1641.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	924.1

Total Fat 36.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2g
Cholesterol 98.7mg	0%
Sodium 2849.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 148.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.0g	0%
Total Sugars 89.8g
Protein 13.4g	0%

Vitamin D 6.7IU	0%
Calcium 513.0mg	0%
Iron 8.6mg	0%
Potassium 2780.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.9%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 60.6%