Grandma Jeanette's Amazing German Red Cabbage Recipe

I recently went to dinner at my extended family's home and they served up this dish. It was absolutely fantastic! Admittedly, I enjoy cabbage. Admittedly, I am not big on cloves. But, put together and is terribly tasty. After I found out the recipe was from here I immediately looked it up and was surprised by what little feedback there was. I must say I probably would have skipped this recipe over with so few people having tried it. How great that I was able to have an opportunity to try this keeper of a recipe. It is on my stove as we speak (really) and I am going to cook it just as directed for the full 2 hours. I know first hand it is worth it. I wouldn't change a thing!

This is seriously good food and very easy to prepare (can't imagine that it would take anyone 20 minutes to prep - more like five)! Taking the advice of other reviewers, I reduced the sugar by one tablespoon and used only one teaspoon of kosher salt. I was probably a tablespoon shy of 1/3 cup on the vinegar, too. Had no ground cloves, so threw 3-4 whole cloves in. The result was addictive! Didn't want to quit eating it! I was skeptical of the extended cooking time, but having tried it after about 45 minutes, there's no question it is much better later. The apple (I peeled mine) basically disappeared during the cooking process, so next time I might just use applesauce to make the prep even faster. This makes a great side dish for turkey, as a less-sweet substitute for cranberry sauce. I added cold leftovers of it to a turkey sandwich - yum! It would also be delicious served with roast chicken or duck, grilled or steamed bratwurst, kielbasa, baked ham. Recommend doubling the recipe. Leftovers can be used cold on turkey or ham sandwiches and take well to reheating.

I made this for Christmas Eve dinner because my husband and grandmother wanted it. Growing up I disliked sweet/sour cabbage, and how it smells while cooking , but after tasting - I am a convert! The only addition I made was to add one diced onion. Many other family members who don't eat cabbage loved it too. We ended up with an empty bowl and I doubled the recipe!

This is really good. For the first time, I made it as written except I followed the advice of other reviewers and reduced the amount of sugar and added garlic. Couldn't stop eating. It's so good and appetising!! Now I make my own variations. I used EVOO instead of butter. I added mustard seeds and I also lightly crush the black peppercorns. I like to bite on them! I added onions too. I tripled the recipe, threw all into the slow cooker and cooked on high for 4 hours. I'd put them in jars and refrigerate them. Used them like pickles or relish for burgers/sandwiches. I served them whenever I serve roasts or fried meats. It gives a sharp refreshing contrast of taste and flavour. I even put a small amount on small squares of toasts and ham, topped with a dot of mustard. Served them as tapas with a big icy jug of sangria. It was very popular. I've even had it for breakfast with fried eggs and bacon.

I used to get this same red cabbage at alittle resturant inside a cattle sells barn in west , tx. (same town they have the world famous westfest) I have looked everwhere for it and now my life is complete,I did add 1tsp. of carraway seeds to give it a little rye bread flavor

This is a fantastic recipe for a slow-cooker. I dump everything in the cooker, turn it on low for 5-6 hours and go. I don't change a thing. When something is this good, leave it alone!

I've never had this before, but I made it today for a German themed dinner. It is AMAZING! The only thing I did was add a chopped onion, and I put a little more clove in it (because I LOVE clove and thought it would be great with this). Another lady brought a different version of this and put Caraway seed in hers. It may be good in this recipe for something different. :) Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe!!

We LOVED this dish. I was looking for an authentic recipe after having cabbage served this way at a German restaurant. The combination of the butter, vinegar and sugar make the dish great. I followed the recipe and the cooking time which seemed long but it really needed the hour to cook. I didn't have cloves but used a dash of cinnamon instead. I read that cinnamon or allspice can be used as a substitute for cloves.

Delicious! Didn't know red cabbage could taste so good. I will cut the sugar by half next time and perhaps use an additional apple to make it a bit healthier.

I made this and it was tasty. I did sub caraway for the cloves, my personal preference. Although my children did not appreciate the smell while it was cooking!

This is a great base recipe, I did add and omitted a few things upon other reviews. I made this cooking the bacon first (saved the drippings to use in place of butter and salt). I also added purple/red onion, and added a bacon crumble. Used brown sugar instead of white. If you do not like cloves, cinnamon is a great substitute! It brings this dish to a whole other level!! You do have to watch bc it will thicken from simmering, just add a little water and it will be fine! I don’t make this as a side dish, but instead make it for on top mashed potatoes or mashed red potatoes!!! Always perfect for a cold fall/winter night for sure! My family walks in the house and they immediately get excited for dinner!! Winner winner Cabbage dinner!!

This took me straight back to Germany. I took some snippets of advice from other reviewers: Brown sugar instead of white - about 3 tablespoons, 1/3 of a very large red onion (mostly just to use it up), about half the cloves (personal preference), 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, about 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (again, personal preference). 1/2 tsp salt. As you can see, this recipe has a great deal of versatility, so customize to your liking. So, so, so delicious. Herzlichen Dank für das leckere Rezept!

Delicious! I grated the apples first though.

Made it once — planning round two immediately.

It’s perfect. It’s easy. It’s cheap. It’s fab rewarmed as leftovers. It makes the dinner plate look inviting. My husband asked for 2nd’s—rarity—but I had to ration with everyone. (I used half amount of salt.)

So so good! I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't this - it was so delicious, I wish I would have doubled the recipe! It is time-consuming because of the cook-time, but well worth it! The seasonings were perfect, I wouldn't change a thing!

Just like mom made it!

Too many ingredients. Added apples okay. Ground or fresh ginger?? Why cloves?? I prefer red onions with cabbage- Red or Green. Some brown sugar with apples. For Me 1/ 4 cup slivered almonds added would work

It's so simple to make!! It tastes exactly like my German-born and raised Grandmother made. She served it with schnitzel and mashed potatoes, which is the ultimate comfort food for me.

Really enjoyed this simple and economical recipe. Have also made it with green cabbage, still tasty.