German / Bavarian Red Cabbage with Apples (Rotkohl)
(Pairs with Schweinebraten, Roast Bavarian Pork)
If you like German / Bavarian / Schwaben red cabbage with apples (Rotkohl) but thought $7 to $10 for a 24 oz jar at Aldi, Kroger, Publix, ShopRite, SafeWay, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods or other grocery store is ridicuolous, can't I make this myself... like millions of Germans, Austrians and Swiss do (not to mention 2 dozen Lichtensteiners) , then YES - it is really easy, tastes better and is FAR ;less expensive to make at home.
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Total time: about 2 hours
Prep time - about 20 minutes
Cooks for about: 1.5 hours
Yield: 10 servings for a1 medium cabbaget
This is SO easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1 medium red cabbage, shredded (about 2.5 lbs) scale the following ingrediemts up or down for more or less cabbage.)
- 3 apples, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 cup apple cider, apple juice, broth or water
- Salt and pepper (I don't add any salt)
Equipment
- Large pot
- Cutting board, knife
Directions
Steps 1 - Shred Cabbage
I thinly slice the cabbage, cutting out the hard white center.
Step 2 - Slice the apples
I use an apple corer-slicer, but any way you like, works. About 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices.
Step 3 - Slice onions
Peel and thinly slice the onions.
Step 4 - Brown the onions
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Melt the butter in large pot.
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Add the onions, sauté until soft.
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Stir in sugar until lightly caramelized (browned)
Step 5 - Add Cabbage and Apples
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Add the shredded cabbage, apples,red wine vinegar, and cloves.
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Stir well.
Step 6 - Simmer (45–60 min):
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Add apple cide, apple juice or broth, cover, simmer gently.
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Stir occasionally until tender.
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Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a touch more vinegar if needed.
✅ Result: A Bavarian‑style pork loin with cloves, crispy fat cap, rich beer gravy, and sweet‑sour red cabbage with apples — a classic Oktoberfest pairing.
