Sweet & Tangy Red Cabbage Recipe Everyone Will Love

Crisp and vibrant red cabbage dances through this incredible culinary creation, promising a symphony of flavors.

Robust purple leaves bring unexpected depth to your plate.

Remarkable ingredients combine with surprising techniques that challenge traditional cooking methods.

Winter meals gain remarkable character through this simple preparation.

Nutritionists praise red cabbage for its powerful antioxidant profile and gorgeous color.

Seasonal produce shines brilliantly in this straightforward yet innovative approach.

You won’t believe how easily these ingredients create such a memorable dish.

Why Delia Smith Red Cabbage Is A Flavorful Side

• Simplify Kitchen Magic: Transform humble red cabbage into a stunning side dish with minimal prep work, creating a colorful and flavorful experience that feels like culinary art.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This recipe delivers a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors that appeals to all ages, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or potluck gatherings.
• Hands-Off Cooking Technique: Slow baking allows ingredients to meld together beautifully, requiring little intervention while developing deep, rich flavors without constant monitoring.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Equally stunning as a holiday side dish or weeknight accompaniment, this recipe works wonderfully with roasted meats, making meal planning a breeze.

Ingredients For Delia Smith Red Cabbage

• Red Cabbage: A vibrant and nutritious vegetable that provides the core flavor and texture for this recipe.
• Apples: Sweet and tangy fruit that adds natural sweetness and depth to the dish.
• Onions: Aromatic vegetable that builds a rich foundational flavor.

• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Sugar: Balances the natural tartness of the cabbage and apples.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Butter, Vinegar: Butter adds richness and vinegar provides a bright, tangy accent to the braised cabbage dish.

How To Make Delia Smith Red Cabbage Easily

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to a low and slow temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This gentle heat will help the red cabbage become tender and develop rich, deep flavors.

Step 2: Prepare Layering Ingredients

• Red cabbage
• Crisp apples
• Sweet onions
• Fresh garlic
• Granulated sugar
• Aromatic spices
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Create Delicious Layers

Start building your cabbage masterpiece by alternating layers of ingredients in a casserole dish. Each layer will contribute to a complex and mouthwatering flavor profile. Continue stacking until you’ve used all your ingredients.

Step 4: Add Finishing Touches

Dot the top of your layered cabbage with creamy butter and drizzle tangy vinegar over the entire dish. These final additions will enhance the overall taste and create a beautiful glaze.

Step 5: Slow Bake the Dish

Cover the casserole and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, gently stirring once or twice during cooking to ensure even distribution of flavors.

Step 6: Crisp the Top

For the last 20-30 minutes, remove the cover to allow the top to develop a beautiful golden-brown color and create a slight crispy texture.

Step 7: Final Seasoning and Serving

Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve the red cabbage warm, letting the rich, complex flavors shine through.

Tips To Improve Delia Smith Red Cabbage

• Slice Vegetables Uniformly: Cut cabbage, apples, and onions into similar-sized pieces for even cooking and consistent texture.
• Balance Sweetness and Acidity: Adjust sugar and vinegar amounts to create a perfect sweet-tangy flavor profile that complements the dish.
• Choose the Right Butter: Use high-quality butter for richer taste and better caramelization during slow baking.
• Master Low-Temperature Cooking: Maintain steady low heat to transform ingredients into tender, deeply flavored side dish without burning.
• Experiment with Spice Variations: Try adding cinnamon, cloves, or star anise for unique aromatic dimensions that elevate the traditional recipe.

Creative Twists On Delia Smith Red Cabbage

• Vegan Delight: Replace butter with olive oil and use coconut sugar for a plant-based, health-conscious version of the red cabbage recipe.
• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or red chili flakes to introduce a fiery element that complements the sweet and tangy flavors.
• Herb-Infused Option: Incorporate fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage to elevate the aromatic profile and add depth to the dish.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap apples with roasted bell peppers and reduce sugar content for a keto-friendly adaptation that maintains rich flavors.

Pairing Suggestions For Delia Smith Red Cabbage

• Harmonize Wine Selection: Choose a medium-bodied German Riesling with slight sweetness to complement the tangy, caramelized red cabbage flavors.
• Pair with Hearty Proteins: Serve alongside roasted pork tenderloin, bratwurst, or classic schnitzel to balance the cabbage's rich, sweet-sour profile.
• Create Textural Contrast: Add crispy roasted almonds or toasted pumpkin seeds as a garnish to introduce a crunchy element against the soft, tender cabbage.
• Match Regional Beverage: Select a traditional German wheat beer (Hefeweizen) with its light, refreshing notes that cut through the dish's richness.

Best Way To Store Delia Smith Red Cabbage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air. Keeps well for 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when thoroughly warm.
• Pour into skillet with small splash of water or vinegar. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Heat until steaming and temperature reaches 165F.

Delia Smith Red Cabbage FAQs Explained

• Can I use white cabbage instead of red cabbage?

Yes, you can substitute white cabbage, but red cabbage provides a deeper color and slightly different flavor profile. The cooking method remains the same.

• Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

Absolutely! The recipe is vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by replacing butter with olive oil or plant-based butter alternative.

• What type of vinegar works best for this recipe?

Apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar are ideal choices. They add a tangy brightness that complements the sweetness of the apples and caramelized onions.

• How do I know when the red cabbage is perfectly cooked?

The cabbage should be tender and soft when pierced with a fork, with a rich, deep color and slightly caramelized edges. The total cooking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Red Cabbage Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Colorful German red cabbage brings nostalgic European flavors to your dinner table. Tangy sweet notes dance with tender braised cabbage, creating a classic side dish that connects heritage and home cooking with delicious simplicity.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 lb (907 g) red cabbage, shredded
• 1 lb (454 g) onions, chopped
• 1 lb (454 g) apples, chopped small

Spices and Seasonings:

• 14 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 14 teaspoons ground cloves
• 14 whole nutmeg, grated
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• Salt
• Pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 g) butter
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 3 tablespoons wine vinegar

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a low and slow temperature of 150°C (300°F), preparing for a gentle, flavor-melding cooking process.
2. Create alternating layers in a sturdy casserole dish, strategically placing red cabbage, crisp apples, aromatic onions, and pungent garlic.
3. Sprinkle each layer with a delicate balance of sugar, warming spices, salt, and freshly ground pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
4. Continue layering until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the casserole.
5. Dot the surface with small pieces of butter, which will melt and infuse richness into the dish.
6. Drizzle vinegar across the top to introduce a tangy counterpoint to the sweet and savory elements.
7. Securely cover the casserole to trap moisture and concentrate flavors during the extended cooking time.
8. Bake for approximately 2 hours, gently stirring once or twice to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
9. During the final 20-30 minutes, remove the cover to allow slight caramelization and develop a golden-brown surface.
10. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed to balance the flavors.
11. Serve the vibrant dish warm, showcasing the tender cabbage and harmonious blend of ingredients.

Notes

• Slice cabbage and apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Balance sweetness by using tart apples like Granny Smith, which complement the rich, caramelized flavors during slow baking.
• Experiment with alternative vinegars such as apple cider or balsamic for deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Make this dish vegan-friendly by substituting butter with olive oil or plant-based margarine, maintaining the recipe’s rich, comforting essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg