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Braised Red Cabbage (Whole30, keto)

Apr 12, 2020 · 18 Comments

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Braised Red Cabbage is a simple, healthy and affordable way to feed a lot of people! Just one head of cabbage, one red onion, apple cider vinegar and some seasonings are all you need for an easy side dish.

This healthy red cabbage recipe is mild with a hint of sweetness and bit of tang from the vinegar. So it’s perfect for kids and adults alike.

Plus I include some easy variations if you want to dress it up.

And it happens to be gluten-free, Paleo, vegan and Whole30 compliant. And due to its low net carb count, it’s also keto!

braised red cabbage and onions on a white platter on a wooden table

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Braised Red Cabbage

If you need to feed a lot of people, cabbage is one of the best ingredients you can use.

Just one head of cabbage can feed a lot of people.

And when you cook it down with onions and a bit of apple cider vinegar, it turns into a tangy, subtly sweet side dish that’s perfect with pork, chicken, beef or seafood.

Plus it’s great at room temperature or cold, so it’s great to make in advance and bring to picnics, potlucks, etc.

 

What you need for Braised Red Cabbage

Ingredients:

  • one head of red cabbage
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 tablespoon cooking fat, such as avocado oil, olive oil or bacon fat
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Equipment:

  • a cutting board
  • a long (8-10″) chef’s knife
  • a large (5-6 quart) Dutch oven
  • measuring spoons
  • a measuring glass
  • a wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring, not flipping)

How to select a cabbage

Like any cabbage, your red cabbage should have tight leaves and be heavy for its size.

Some raggedy or discolored outer leaves are fine, just discard them before you start cutting it up.

 

How to prepare red cabbage

You’ll have a lot of cut-up cabbage so use a large cutting board and/or have a large bowl nearby to move the chopped cabbage to as you work your way through it.

See step-by-step photos below.

Step 1: Discard any loose or raggedy outer leaves of the cabbage. Trim off the root if it’s extending from the cabbage body. Cut the cabbage in half from the top through the root. Cut out the core/root from each half. Place the halves cut side down and cut each in half lengthwise again. Then cut crosswise into thin strips.

6 images showing how to cut a cabbage to make braised red cabbage

 

How to make this braised red cabbage recipe

Step 2: Peel the onion and slice in half lengthwise. Place the halves cut-side down and slice into thin half moons.

Step 3: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the cabbage, onion and 2 tsp. salt. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Add 1/2 cup warm water and the vinegar and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes. The longer you cook it, the softer it will get and the more moisture it will release.

Step 5: Add freshly ground black pepper, taste, and add more salt, pepper or vinegar if you like.

What to serve with braised red cabbage

Luckily, this simple braised red cabbage goes with just about any main dish:

  • roasted, steamed or pan-seared meats
  • beef
  • chicken, like this crunchy plantain chip chicken
  • pork, like these balsamic pork chops or this spiced pork tenderloin
  • seafood, like this salmon with crispy skin
  • You can even eat it cold so it’s perfect for potlucks, picnics and parties.
braised cabbage in a big pot on a wooden table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make substitutions?

While I love this healthy red cabbage as is, there’s some easy ways to add even more flavor:

Add 1 cored and sliced Granny Smith apple with the veggies. No need to peel.

Peel 1 orange and slice in half lengthwise. Then slice crosswise and add with the veggies.

Add 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries with the veggies. Even if they’re kind of old and dry, the moisture in the dish will rehydrate them and they’ll add plump, chewy bursts of sweet/tart flavor.

Switch out the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar. This will also give it more of a sweet/tart flavor.

Can you make braised red cabbage ahead of time?

Yep! It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days but will soften as it sits and release some water.

You can enjoy it cold or reheat it on low heat on the stove.

Can you freeze braised red cabbage?

I wouldn’t recommend it. All the moisture will form ice crystals as it freezes. When it thaws it would lose a lot of flavor and texture.

Other recipes you might like:

  1. Grilled Cabbage Steaks
  2. Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Green Beans
  3. Whole Roasted Butternut Squash
  4. Mashed Peas
  5. Easy Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
braised cabbage in a big pot on a wooden table

Braised Red Cabbage

Don Baiocchi
Braised red cabbage is a simple and easy recipe. It's a mild yet flavorful side dish that goes with just about anything. Plus it makes a lot so it feeds a lot of people!
4.91 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 55 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 red cabbage
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt, plus more if necessary
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, plus more if necessary
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Discard any loose or raggedy outer leaves of the cabbage. Trim off the root if it's extending from the cabbage body. Cut the cabbage in half from the top through the root. Cut out the core/root from each half. Place the halves cut side down and cut each in half lengthwise again. Then cut crosswise into thin strips. (See post for step-by-step photos.)
  • Peel the onion and slice in half lengthwise. Place the halves cut-side down and slice into thin half moons.
  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the cabbage, onion and 2 tsp. salt. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add 1/2 cup warm water and the vinegar and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes. The longer you cook it, the softer it will get and the more moisture it will release.
  • Add freshly ground black pepper, taste, and add more salt, pepper or vinegar if you like.

Notes

Variations:
  • Add 1 cored and sliced Granny Smith apple with the veggies. No need to peel.
  • Peel 1 orange and slice in half lengthwise. Then slice them crosswise and add with the veggies.
  • Add 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries with the veggies. Even if they’re kind of old and dry, the moisture in the dish will rehydrate them and they’ll add plump, chewy bursts of sweet/tart flavor.
  • Switch out the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar. This will also give it more of a sweet/tart flavor.
It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days but will soften as it sits. You can eat it cold or reheat it on low heat on the stove.
I wouldn’t recommend freezing it. All the moisture will form ice crystals as it freezes. When it thaws it would lose a lot of flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 611mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1171IUVitamin C: 61mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cabbage, keto, paleo, red cabbage, whole30
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5 Ingredients or Less, Recipes, Veggies & Sides, Whole30 apple cider vinegar, cabbage, Christmas, keto, onion, red onion, vegan

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jim says

    November 27, 2024 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    Simpje and yummy just as advertised. Thanks for sharing with us!
    Jim

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      November 30, 2024 at 6:30 am

      So glad you liked it, Jim!

      Reply
  2. linda spiker says

    April 18, 2020 at 10:37 am

    Cabbage is so under used. Gorgeous color!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 18, 2020 at 1:24 pm

      Agreed. I know, isn’t it pretty?

      Reply
  3. Jennifer Fisher says

    April 18, 2020 at 8:23 am

    5 stars
    Oooh, pretty! Thanks for showing me an awesome way to feature a veggie that I really have only thought about as a small addition to salad or stir fry! Gonna try it!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 18, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      Let me know how it goes! 🙂

      Reply
  4. ChihYu says

    April 16, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    5 stars
    This is the perfect side dish! Beautiful color, full of flavor and so easy to prepare!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 17, 2020 at 9:52 am

      Totally agree!

      Reply
  5. Yang says

    April 15, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    5 stars
    Red cabbage and purple onion are such a delicious combination! This side is so versatile to go with many main dishes.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 17, 2020 at 9:52 am

      Yep, it goes with just about anything. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Carina says

    April 15, 2020 at 11:46 am

    5 stars
    Red cabbage is a staple here, love it! We eat it cooked and raw, your recipe looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 17, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Megan Stevens says

    April 14, 2020 at 8:58 pm

    5 stars
    Lovely, simple, delicious and affordable, plus, purple is such a pretty cabbage! I need to grow these. Thanks for the great recipe and inspiration!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 17, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Ooh, that’d be so cool to grow your own!

      Reply
  8. Jessica | Primal Edge Health says

    April 14, 2020 at 7:22 am

    5 stars
    This is an ultra simple prep method that everyone should know how to make! Not only is it delicious, but also budget friendly and great for the whole family.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 14, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      Totally agree! One of the most helpful veggies to know how to use.

      Reply
  9. Jean Choi says

    April 13, 2020 at 3:18 pm

    5 stars
    Love braised cabbage. This is such a simple but delicious recipe! So budget-friendly too.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 14, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
4.91 from 11 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Well hello there! I’m Don, the creator behind Paleo Gluten Free Guy. I share fun, vibrant recipes for good health and pure enjoyment. All of my recipes are gluten-free and the majority of them are also Paleo, meaning they’re free of grains, dairy, refined sugar and legumes.

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