Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

braised red cabbage with spiced apples

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Vickie Parks
Renton, WA

In the Netherlands, this dish is called 'Rode Kool met Appeltjes', or Braised Red Cabbage with Spiced Apples. It's a common side dish in the Netherlands. As the title suggests, its red cabbage braised with apples and assorted warm spices to produce a tasty side dish that's commonly served alongside Dutch Beef and Onion Stew (called Hachee) and Dutch Beef Roast (Draadjesvlees). But it can be served with other main dishes as well, including nearly any beef or pork roast, or even a roast chicken.

(2 ratings)
yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 35 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For braised red cabbage with spiced apples

  • 1 md
    red cabbage
  • 2 md
    apples (tart varieties are best for this recipe, such as granny smith or braeburn)
  • 4
    bay leaves
  • 3
    whole cloves
  • 2 Tbsp
    red wine (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1
    cinnamon stick, about 3 inches in length
  • 2 pinch
    ground nutmeg
  • 2 Tbsp
    granulated sugar

How To Make braised red cabbage with spiced apples

  • 1
    Peel the tough outer cabbage leaves. Cut the cabbage into 4 wedges (cut the head in half, then cut each half once more). Now cut the tough, bitter inner core. Slice each quarter into thin strips. Rinse the cabbage, then add cabbage to a Dutch oven. Add enough water to fully cover the cabbage. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick and nutmeg to the water and stir well. Cover Dutch oven, place over medium heat and bring water to a boil.
  • 2
    Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low and stir in the wine (or vinegar) and sugar, and cover again.
  • 3
    In the meantime, peel, core and quarter apples. Add them to the cabbage and slowly simmer for 30 minutes or until the cabbage is soft and limp.
  • 4
    Season with salt and pepper. If you prefer a sweeter taste, add a little more sugar.
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