Wintry Braised Red Cabbage, Plus Some Jelly Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: Nicholas Day

November24,2013

5

5 Ratings

  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Serves 6

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Author Notes

A classic, with the technique inspired by Molly Stevens's wonderful braised green cabbage. I like to take the browning a little too far -- I want the edges slightly crisp and charred, which plays beautifully off the rest of the tender long-braised cabbage. —Nicholas Day

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 medium head red cabbage (about 2 pounds)
  • 4 tablespoonsbutter, melted
  • 1/4 cupred wine vinegar
  • 2 apples, relatively tart, peeled and sliced
  • 1/4 cupred or black currant jelly
Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Oil a large baking dish (9-by-13-inch, ideally) with half of the melted butter.
  2. Peel the outer leaves from the cabbage and cut it into 8 wedges. Nestle the wedges in the baking dish, more or less in a single layer. Salt liberally and drizzle the remaining butter and 1/4 cup water over the top. Cover tightly with foil and braise for an hour.
  3. After an hour, gently turn over each wedge and slide the sliced apples in among the cabbage. Drizzle the red wine vinegar over the top. Cover again with foil and braise for another hour.
  4. Take the cabbage out of the oven and remove the foil. It should be so tender it nearly melts. Increase the heat of the oven to 425 degrees. While the oven is warming up, drizzle the 1/4 cup currant jelly over the cabbage and gently incorporate it. Then slide the cabbage back in the oven and cook for another 15 or so minutes, until the wedges have started to brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tags:

  • Scandinavian
  • American
  • Currant
  • Red Wine
  • Jam/Jelly
  • Vegetable
  • Vinegar
  • Cabbage
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Make Ahead
  • Serves a Crowd
  • One-Pot Wonders

Recipe by: Nicholas Day

I'm the author of a book on the science and history of infancy, Baby Meets World. My website is nicholasday.net; I tweet over at @nicksday. And if you need any good playdoh recipes, just ask.

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19 Reviews

melissa L. March 8, 2022

This is SO good! Very diet-friendly also, especially if you cut back the butter just enough to lightly coat the cabbage and prevent sticking. I used sugar free blackberry jam, I had it on hand, and it provided the necessary tartness. I also put the jam in the microwave for a few (10?) seconds to make it runny enough to drizzle. I had cut the recipe to 1/4, which would require 1/2 an apple (the Honeycrisp I had on hand worked well tastewise) but I will increase the apple to at least double that amount because after the amount of oven time, there is not much discernable apple remaining! Love the char. So glad I had that leftover red cabbage to use up!

paddyk February 7, 2022

WOW! This is amazing! Easy to make and one of the best new recipes I've tried in a long time. Next time I will put in more apples, even though I used two large ones. Thankyou!

Jane December 20, 2020

Only a few ingredients and so outstanding. I've made this with apricot and strawberry-rhubarb jams. Both were amazing. Added sausages once as well. This is company worthy. Thank you!

Kerry G. January 9, 2016

I LOVED this. I added carrots and red onion and braised on stovetop as no room in oven at time. SO good.

Li P. March 25, 2016

How long did it take on the stovetop?

Kerry G. March 25, 2016

I usually let it go for about an hourlong an hour and a half. But check it... There is definitely a point it "seems" done, but if you let it go a little longer it gets so much better: soft, silky, sweet and tart. Really nice with pork and a creamy cauliflower purée.

Kerry G. March 25, 2016

Whoops... Typo: an hour to an hour and a half

Laura G. August 30, 2015

I have always used balsamic vinegar can't wait to try this !!

Tommy January 23, 2015

Blackberry jelly!

Sally January 23, 2015

I had tons of leftovers (we were just two people eating it), so I turned the rest into soup -- just added chicken stock and water, simmered for 10 minutes, and puréed it. It seems to have turned out all right, but I was just making it up, really... Advice welcome on other/better things to do with leftover braised red cabbage!

Laurelb January 7, 2015

How would it be if you make it without the jelly?

pieGirl March 20, 2014

Fabulous recipe. Absolutely delicious. It's close to being dessert. Used granny smith apples, and black current 100% fruit jam. Thanks Nicholas.

Molly January 26, 2014

do you think there's a way to adapt this recipe for a slow-cooker?

susanna.faygenbaum December 16, 2013

i made this today with red cabbage, and it was incredible! can you make this with green cabbage?

Pork N. December 12, 2013

Jara - I used apricot and it was delicious.

Sunnycovechef December 9, 2013

Jara, I have used strawberry jam , mixed berry jam or grape jelly. My family in Germany uses sugar. Check out my version of red cabbage I posted.

Muse December 5, 2013

I love, love, LOVE braised red cabbage with mashed potatoes...can't wait to make this! Thank you for sharing your recipe.

Jara December 5, 2013

What can I substitute for the currant jelly? I have a beautiful red cabbage at home I'd love to try this with, and some berry and jalapeno jellies.

Nicholas D. December 5, 2013

Honestly, Jara, I'm sure you can -- but I never have. I bet most berry jellies would be great, though.

Wintry Braised Red Cabbage, Plus Some Jelly Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How long will braised red cabbage keep in the fridge? ›

Cook for 1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until reduced and tender. Serve immediately or cool and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat to serve, adding a splash of water if it seems dry.

Can red cabbage be cooked and frozen? ›

Recipe Tips

The red cabbage should be cooked for 15-20 minutes more if it isn't finely shredded. This dish freezes well. Let the cooked cabbage cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container (it will keep in the freezer for 3 months). Defrost in the microwave or overnight in the fridge.

Does red cabbage cook differently than green cabbage? ›

Red and green cabbage can be used interchangeably in most recipes. The difference between cooking green cabbage and red cabbage is just one extra step. The compounds that give red cabbage its color, called anthocyanins, are water-soluble and will turn an unappetizing blue color when cooked.

Can you buy braised red cabbage? ›

Suitable for Vegans. Free From: Artificial Colours, Artificial Flavours.

When red cabbage goes bad? ›

Cabbage with an off smell should be discarded immediately. You'll also be able to tell when cabbage has spoiled if the leaves have become soft and discolored. It's best to refer to the old adage: when in doubt, throw it out.

How can you tell if red cabbage has gone bad? ›

You may also notice a strange or off smell if red cabbage is spoiling. Red cabbage should feel firm and robust, but if it starts to feel slimy or overly soft, it's likely past its prime. In any of these cases, it's best to discard the cabbage. Always store red cabbage in the fridge.

Does cabbage get soggy after freezing? ›

You can freeze anything but the results might nit be good. Freezing is going to burst the cell walls and result in wilted cabbage and a lot of water. Better to blanch it and shock it first before freezing.

What happens when you freeze cooked cabbage? ›

If you want to maintain that flavor and texture, cooked cabbage may be the better way to go. “On the other hand, freezing cooked cabbage preserves its flavor and texture better, making it a convenient option for meal prep,” notes Best.

Is it best to freeze cabbage raw or cooked? ›

Although you can technically freeze cabbage raw, it's best to blanch it first before freezing it. In other words, you should boil the cabbage in hot water for a very short amount of time (around one minute) before placing it in the freezer.

Which is healthier red cabbage or green cabbage? ›

While both green and red cabbage are excellent sources of this potent antioxidant, red cabbage contains significantly more ( 2 , 22 ). One cup (89 g) of chopped red cabbage packs in 56% of the recommended intake for vitamin C, which is the same amount found in a small orange ( 22 , 23 ).

What goes well with red cabbage? ›

What goes well with red cabbage?
  • Meat: Red cabbage goes well with meats such as pork, bacon, ham, and sausage. ...
  • Apples: Red cabbage and apples are a classic pairing. ...
  • Onions: Red cabbage and onions are a great combination, the onion adds a nice sweetness and a little bit of sharpness to the cabbage.
Feb 1, 2023

Is it okay to eat red cabbage raw? ›

When selecting a red cabbage, the color should be vibrant. You can add this versatile vegetable to soups, stews, salads, and coleslaw. It's delicious raw, steamed, sautéed, or fermented. It retains the most nutrients when it's eaten raw but is still highly nutritious when cooked.

Why is red cabbage so expensive? ›

Generally, cabbage needs a lot of water to grow and if there's not enough it can't reach reach its full bloom. Thus, this leads to a shortage of cabbage, leading its prices to go up. Cabbage is a crop that grows best during specific times, making it challenging for farmers.

Why is my braised cabbage bitter? ›

What's more, prolonged cooking can alter the flavor of cabbage, making it taste more bitter or bland rather than retaining its natural sweetness and mildness. To avoid these issues, it's best to cook green cabbage until it's tender but still retains some crispness and its vibrant color.

Is braised red cabbage good for you? ›

It is also thought to deter cancer, prevent diabetes, slow down the onset of Alzheimer's, and detoxify the body. It is also good for skin and eye care, weight loss, improving heart health and boosting the immune system. An extraordinary vegetable indeed!

How long does red cabbage keep once cooked? ›

Remove the lid and continue cooking for 30 mins until tender. Will keep for two days, or can be frozen for two months. Reheat until piping hot.

Can you eat cooked cabbage after 5 days? ›

Yes, cooked cabbage can be stored in the fridge, and doing so correctly can help maintain its quality and prevent spoilage. Cooked cabbage typically lasts for about 3–5 days in the refrigerator. However, the exact duration depends on the dish and its other ingredients.

Does red cabbage go bad in the fridge? ›

Tips for storing cabbage

Wrapped tightly in plastic, a head of cabbage will keep for about two weeks in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Once cut, use cabbage within 2-3 days. Cover and refrigerate cooked cabbage within two hours of cooking and use within 3-5 days.

Can you eat cooked cabbage after 4 days? ›

Properly stored, cooked cabbage will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked cabbage, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.

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