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Easy Braised Red Cabbage

Easy Braised red cabbage is a simple side dish recipe made with onions, bacon, beef stock, wine, and vinegar. Not to mention, loaded with flavor!

Dutch oven with braised red cabbage and sprigs of fresh thyme

Braised red cabbage is one of my favorite side dishes. I love red cabbage just about any way that you prepare it, especially when it involves bacon. I mean, because…well…bacon! If you’re vegetarian you can always leave it out, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The bacon adds incredible flavor to this dish.

Braised red cabbage goes beautifully with roasted chicken, beef roasts, or pork ( I love it with bourbon marinated pork tenderloin) and pairs well with mashed potatoes or cauliflower mashed potatoes for a low-carb option. This light and nutritious side dish is typically a fall or wintertime dish, but honestly, it’s perfect any time of year.

Red cabbage not only adds gorgeous color to your plate, but that deep purple plant is loaded with good nutrients! Red cabbage is low in calories and a great source of vitamin C and vitamin K.

pot of braised red cabbage with herbs and napkin in the background

Easy Braised Red Cabbage

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • 1 head of red cabbage
  • Bacon (I go for nitrate-free)
  • 1 large Vidalia onion
  • Beef stock
  • Red wine Vinegar
  • Red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Merlot)
  • Fresh thyme
  • Salt and pepper

Step By Step Photos

cooking bacon in a dutch oven

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium-low heat until fat is rendered and bacon is crispy.

finely chopped onions

Meanwhile, chop the onions.

bacon and onions cooking in a dutch ovenAdd onions and cook about 5 minutes longer, until onions are translucent.

chopped red cabbage in a bowl

Using a sharp knife or mandolin slicer, chop the cabbage into thin strips.

cooked red cabbage with thymeAdd cabbage and thyme and cook for 15 minutes or until cabbage wilts. Pour stock, vinegar, and wine over cabbage; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes more. Season with sea salt and pepper to your taste and enjoy.

This is one of those dishes that is almost better the second day after all the flavors have had time to mingle. So incredibly delicious. Recipes like this are why I crave vegetables!

If you love simple cabbage side dishes, you should also try this Southern Vinegar Slaw, Caribbean Lime Coleslaw, and Keto Cabbage Casserole.

close up photo of pot of braised red cabbage with thyme sprigs on top

How Long Will Braised Cabbage Keep?

Store any leftover cooked red cabbage in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 2-3 days or you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat cabbage in the microwave or in the oven in a covered oven-safe dish.

*This post was updated with new photos July 2020 from the original post published August 2012. This delicious recipe remains the same. 🙂

pot of braised red cabbage with fresh thyme on top

Braised Red Cabbage

Easy Braised red cabbage is a simple side dish recipe made with onions, bacon, beef stock, wine, and vinegar.  Not to mention, loaded with flavor!
4.34 from 3 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: side
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 62kcal
Author: Amee

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon diced 
  • 1 head red cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1/2 large vidalia onion thinly sliced
  • 1 1/4 cups beef stock or chicken
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp red wine a good drinking wine is best
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium-low heat until fat is rendered and bacon is crispy.
    cooking bacon in a dutch oven
  • Meanwhile, chop the onions
    finely chopped onions
  • Add onions and cook about 5 minutes longer, until onions are translucent.  
    bacon and onions cooking in a dutch oven
  • Using a sharp knife or mandolin slicer, chop cabbage in thin strips
    chopped red cabbage in a bowl
  • Add cabbage and thyme and cook for 15 minutes or until cabbage wilts.  Pour stock, vinegar and wine over cabbage; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes more.  Season with sea salt and pepper and enjoy.
    cooked red cabbage with thyme

Notes

Recipe adapted from Cookstr

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g
Tried this recipe?Mention @ameecooks or tag #ameecooks!
Amee Livingston
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