German Red Cabbage (Rotkohl)

Kimberly Killebrew

A quintessential German side dish, this braised German Red Cabbage is the perfect accompaniment to your Sunday roasts, beef rouladen, brats and more!

4.94 from 180 votes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2 15

Total Time 2 30

Course Side Dish

Cuisine German

Servings servings

Calories 154 kcal

1 1/2 pounds red cabbage ,very thinly sliced
1 large yellow onion ,finely diced
1 large Granny Smith or other semi-tart apple ,peeled, cored and diced
1/4 cup butter (paleo: use grass fed or oil, vegans: use oil)
2 tablespoons red currant jam or jelly , this is traditional but can substitute cherry jam
2-3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
3 whole cloves
3 juniper berries
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten free and paleo: omit)
2 tablespoons water

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook the onions until just beginning to brown, 7-10 minutes. Add the cabbage and cook for 5 minutes. Add the apple, broth, bay leaf, cloves, juniper berries, red currant jam, red wine vinegar, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if needed. Combine the flour and water until dissolved and stir into the Rotkohl. Simmer for another minute. Add more salt, sugar and vinegar to taste.
Traditionally served with roasts, Rouladen, and Sauerbraten along with potatoes, Spaetzle, or Knoedel.

Keyword Blaukraut, German Red Cabbage, Rotkohl

Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet