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Slow Cooker Red Cabbage Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.8 from 33 reviews
  • Author: Ivy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: European

Description

This Slow Cooker Red Cabbage recipe transforms simple ingredients into a tender, flavorful side dish perfect for comforting meals. The red cabbage is slowly cooked with apple, onion, red wine, spices, and a touch of butter, resulting in a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Easy to prepare and hands-off, it's ideal for meal prepping or accompanying hearty mains.

Ingredients

Vegetables & Fruits

  • 2 lbs (1 kg) red cabbage, shredded
  • 1 apple, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

Liquids & Sweeteners

  • ⅓ cup (75 ml) red wine
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Spices & Seasonings

  • 5 juniper berries
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Other

  • 1-2 tablespoons butter (optional, but adds richness)

Instructions

  1. Shred the red cabbage: Remove and discard the outer leaves of the red cabbage. Quarter the cabbage and remove the tough central stem. Thinly slice each quarter into shreds and place the shredded cabbage into the slow cooker.
  2. Chop apple and onion: Peel and finely chop the apple and the onion. Add both to the slow cooker on top of the shredded cabbage.
  3. Add spices and liquids: Pour in the red wine, apple cider vinegar, and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the cabbage mixture. Add the juniper berries, whole cloves, bay leaves, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Dot the cabbage mixture with small pieces of butter to enhance richness.
  4. Cook the cabbage: Cover and slow cook the mixture on HIGH heat for 4 hours. Stir the cabbage halfway through cooking to ensure even softening and flavor distribution.
  5. Check tenderness and finish cooking: After 4 hours, test the cabbage for tenderness. If it is not yet tender enough, stir again, cover, and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour. Check every 30 minutes until the cabbage is tender but retains slight texture and is not mushy.

Notes

  • The butter is optional but adds a nice richness to the dish.
  • If you prefer a less sweet dish, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar.
  • Juniper berries give a subtle piney flavor – do not omit if possible as they are characteristic in red cabbage recipes.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
  • Serve as a side dish with pork, sausages, or other hearty mains.

Find it online: https://ivysrecipes.com/slow-cooker-red-cabbage-recipe/