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    Home » Sides

    Slow Cooker German Red Cabbage

    Published: Sep 15, 2016 · Modified: Jun 19, 2020 by Carolyn Hetke · This post may contain affiliate links,

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    Red cabbage is such a good side dish-it is a little bit tangy and it really brightens up a plate! You can fix it and forget it in your slow cooker!

    Red cabbage and schnitzel.

    I make it all the time. I serve it with German meals like Schnitzel and Rouladen but I also serve it at Christmas with my Madame Benoit's Tortiere recipe.  In Quebec they often serve beets with their traditional tortiere, I think for the colour more than the tanginess.

    Red cabbage is inexpensive, low in calories and high in nutrients.. talk about eating the rainbow!

    I like to make mine in the slow cooker.  It is easy and lends itself to the long, slow cook.  You want to cook it long enough for the cabbage to get really tender.  You can do it in the oven as well in a covered casserole. In the oven I would cook it for at least 2 hours on 350 degrees and check to make sure it has water at all times.

    Red cabbage freezes well and reheats well too. So... win/win all around!

    Red Cabbage on a plate with schnitzel

    Slow Cooker German Red Cabbage

    This makes a big batch of savory red cabbage. 20 minutes hands on in the morning and you an feed a crowd at dinner.
    Author: Carolyn Hetke

    If you tried this, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know it went in the 📝 comments below!

    5 from 1 vote
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    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: German
    Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 7 hours hrs
    Total Time: 7 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Servings: 12 seervings

    Ingredients

    • 1 head red cabbage
    • 2-3 Tbsps bacon fat (or butter or oil)
    • 1 yellow onion diced
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 2 tsps sugar
    • 2 Tbsps white vinegar

    Instructions

    • Shred cabbage with a mandolin or rough chop in a food processor. It should be a little coarser than you would use for a cole slaw. (Be careful with the food processor - they can over-process really quickly).
    • Mix all the other ingredients in a microwaveable dish and warm together,
    • Place cabbage in a large slow cooker. Pour mixture over the cabbage and stir to coat.
    • Add about ½ cup of water to the slow cooker.
    • Cover and cook on low about 7 hours.
    • About ½ hour before serving check to adjust seasonings. Add more salt and vinegar if you want it tangier. The vinegar will also help keep the colour vibrant.
    • Serve warm.

    Notes

    Variation 1:  If your cabbage has a lot of cooking liquid at the end thicken it with 2 Tbsps of corn starch dissolved with just enough water to make a thin paste. Stir into slow cooker during last hour of cooking.
    Variation 2:  About an hour before serving stir in ½ cup or so of sour cream for a creamy red cabbage. Adjust for salt to taste.
    Hint:  You can also buy jarred red cabbage. Kuhne is a good brand.  Drain 2 -24 oz jars and heat gently in the slow cooker on low.  (This may only take about 4 hours since it is already cooked).  Alternately you can heat covered in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour. I don't add anything to the jarred cabbage and it gets rave reviews from many of my guests!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 781IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thewineloverski or tag #thewineloverski!

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