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Braised Red Cabbage

Sweet and sour braised red cabbage, with vinegar and grape jelly.  A great side dish at the holidays, especially Easter, or even Oktoberfest.

Red cabbage in white serving bowl with spoon.

Happy Good Friday!  That means Easter is Sunday.  No big dinner this year, the kids are all busy with their spring break plans and Meathead and I are busy packing, we move next week.  Yikes!  I think sides are the best part of holiday meals, and this red cabbage is one of my favorites for Easter.

I got this recipe from my aunt, a great cook, who had this on her holiday table many a time. She gave me the recipe years ago and I love it.  The kids, not so much.  I just make it for Meathead and me.

Close up of braised red cabbage.

Red cabbage is easy to make and this version is...traditional? German? Bohemian? Danish?  I don't really know, it's just good.  It's sweet and tangy, with vinegar and sugar, and a little cinnamon and grape jelly.  Yep, grape jelly.  Is this common?  Anyone else make it this way?  Just curious.

Ingredients photo.

How to make braised red cabbage

Step by step photo collage.

Step 1: Shred cabbage and place in large pot, add water, cover and steam until tender.

Step 2: Add oil, sprinkle with flour and cook a minute or two.

Step 3: Add cinnamon, sugar and vinegar, stir to combine.

Step 4: Add grape jelly and stir until jelly melts and sauce is thick.

Finished red cabbage in pot.

This delicious braised red cabbage just screams Easter with its gorgeous purple color.  I hope you give it a try, it's so good!  Happy Easter, Kelly🍴🐦

Braised red cabbage in serving dish.

Need some more Easter side dish inspiration?

  • Cheesy Potatoes are a must around here for every holiday, you can't go wrong with this cheesy hash brown casserole topped with crushed corn flakes.
  • Corn Soufflé easy corn casserole with sour cream and corn muffin mix.
  • German Potato Salad is a favorite of mine, just like my mother-in-law's with a warm, tangy dressing made with pickle juice.

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UPDATED: Originally posted in March, 2016 and updated April 1, 2020 with new photos and copy, no changes to original recipe.

Red cabbage in white serving bowl with spoon.

Braised Red Cabbage

Sweet and sour braised red cabbage, with vinegar and grape jelly.  A great side dish at the holidays, especially Easter, or even Oktoberfest.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: German
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 164kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 head red cabbage, cored and shredded
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons flour, approx.
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 6 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 4-5 teaspoons sugar
  • A little cinnamon, a pinch maybe??
  • ½ (12-ounce) small jar grape jelly

Instructions

  • Put shredded cabbage into large pot and add 1 cup water. Cover with lid, and "steam" until tender but not mushy, stirring occasionally.
  • Add 1 T oil and sprinkle with flour, about 2 T. Mix to combine well, and cook a minute or two. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cinnamon, vinegar and sugar. Stir to combine, then add ½ jar grape jelly. Stir well until jelly has melted and sauce is thick. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Recipe Notes

Red cabbage is easy to make and this version is…traditional? German? Bohemian? Danish?  I don’t really know, it’s just good.  It’s sweet and tangy, with vinegar and sugar, and a little cinnamon and grape jelly.  Yep, grape jelly.  Is this common?  Anyone else make it this way?  Just curious.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal Carbohydrates: 34g Protein: 2g Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 1g Sodium: 49mg Potassium: 365mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 22g Vitamin A: 1561IU Vitamin C: 82mg Calcium: 71mg Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!
Recipe Rating




Meathead

Friday 3rd of April 2020

Sweet and sour. Perfect for the times.

Mark Wildenhaus

Friday 25th of March 2016

Red cabbage at night, sailors delight!