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    Home » Recipes » Sides & Appetizers

    Published: Dec 17, 2020 · Modified: Sep 16, 2022 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 14 Comments

    Red Cabbage with Apples

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN
    5 from 13 votes
    red cabbage with apples

    Red Cabbage with Apples is a really delicious way to transform red cabbage. Baked with apples, onion and herbs until it's fall-apart tender it makes the perfect fall or winter side dish that can also easily be transformed into a main meal with the addition of some vegan sausages.

    red cabbage with apples, sausage and mashed potato on a plate

    Let's make cabbage the star of the show with this delicious Red Cabbage with Apples! Baked up in the oven with onions and herbs, the cabbage and apples are transformed into something amazing. So tender, sweet, tangy and juicy!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Red Cabbage with Apples
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Making Ahead & Storing
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recipe
    • Hungry for more?
    • Comments & Reviews

    Fantastic as a holiday side or with vegan roast dinners and meatloaf, this hearty vegan side goes great with just about any dish. I love to turn it into a main meal by adding some vegan sausages towards the end of cooking. With some mashed potato and gravy it makes an amazing dinner!

    a plate of mashed potato, sausage, red cabbage and peas

    Ingredients

    This short list of ingredients is all you need to help the humble cabbage go from “blah” to “wow”:

    ingredients for roasted red cabbage as per the listed ingredients in the recipe card

    The flavors of the sweet cabbage, apples and maple syrup are balanced really well with the addition of some red wine vinegar for tartness to give a really well rounded, balanced taste.

    Success tip - The fresh herbs really elevate this roasted cabbage recipe and add so much flavor. I really recommend not subbing dried herbs. You can usually find fresh herbs year-round in the produce section at grocery stores.

    Vegan sausages are an optional extra. If you choose to use them you can use any type, but I do highly recommend either my vegan sausage recipe or Field Roast apple sage sausages because they work incredibly with this cabbage dish.

    How to make Red Cabbage with Apples

    Roasted Red Cabbage with Apples is really easy to make and oh so pretty!

    red cabbage, apples and herbs in a skillet

    Here's how it's done:

    1. Remove the outer leaves from the cabbage and slice it up then core and slice the apples. Add them along with everything else to a lidded oven-safe pot/dish. A small Dutch oven or similar is perfect. Placing the herbs on the top makes it easy to pick them out before serving.
    2. Cover and bake for just under 1 hour. The cabbage should be tender and smell very fragrant and delicious once it’s done.
    baked red cabbage and apples in a staub skillet

    It's as simple as that. Such an easy recipe and it tastes like way more work went into it than it actually did!

    Variations

    • Pears make a great sub for the apples although they won't hold their shape as well.
    • Use green cabbage and apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar instead of red cabbage and red wine vinegar.
    • Need a substitute for red wine vinegar? Balsamic vinegar is an easy replacement or you can use sherry vinegar for something more subtle.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this delicious Red Cabbage with Apples as a flavorful side with just about anything, from Sunday roasts, to midweek dinners and make sure to scoop up the delicious juices when you do! I love it with:

    • Vegan Sausages
    • Lentil Shepherd's Pie
    • Beyond Meat Meatloaf
    • Vegan Meatloaf with Gravy
    • Vegan Chicken Breasts
    • Vegan Roast
    • Vegan Beef
    roasted red cabbage with apples and sausages

    Making Ahead & Storing

    Red Cabbage with Apples reheats really well and tastes even better the next day. Make ahead as per the recipe or store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat cover and bake at 350ºF (175 °C) for about 20 to 25 minutes. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

    Recipe FAQs

    Are red cabbage and purple cabbage the same?

    Red cabbage and purple cabbage are exactly the same. The colour of the vegetable will always be somewhere between a deep purple and pink (this depends on the pH value of the soil it's grown in).

    Is red cabbage good for you?

    Red cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable and is an impressively healthy food containing lots of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Read more about its health benefits here.

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe

    red cabbage with apples

    Red Cabbage with Apples

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 13 votes
    Red Cabbage with Apples is a really delicious way to transform red cabbage. Baked with apples, onion and herbs until it's fall-apart tender it makes the perfect fall or winter side that can also easily be transformed into a main meal with the addition of some vegan sausages.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 10 minutes
    COOK TIME: 55 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Servings: 6 as a side

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 small head (about 1 kg / 35 oz) red cabbage , thinly sliced
    • 1 large onion thinly sliced
    • 2 medium apples , cut into chunky slices, cored but not peeled
    • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
    • 1 small handful fresh sage
    • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (omit for sugar-free)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1½ tsp sea salt
    • ½ tsp freshly ground pepper

    Optional to make it a meal

    • 4 Vegan Sausages (my recipe, Field Roast apple sage sausages or Very Good Butchers British Bangers are incredible with this)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 ° F (200 °C).
    • To a large oven-proof dish add the red cabbage, onions, apples, thyme and sage.
    • Pour over the red wine vinegar, maple syrup/sugar and olive oil and sprinkle over the salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
    • Cover with a lid or very tightly with foil, and bake in the oven for about 50 to 55 minutes, after which time the cabbage should be really tender and smell fragrant and delicious. If it's not, give it a few minutes longer.
      If you get caught up with something it's fine left in the oven longer. If it will be much over 30 minutes extra though turn the oven down a bit to 325°F (160 °C) after the initial 50 to 55 mins.
    • Check the seasoning before serving and add a little more salt and pepper if required. Be sure to stir it in well.

    To make it a main meal

    • If you want to turn it from a side to more of a meal, add some vegan sausages. If using Field Roast or Very Good Butcher's sausages (or similar that are already cooked and just need to be heated through), slice them up and add them to the cabbage ten minutes before the end. If using raw vegan sausages like Beyond Meat style, cook them on a tray in the oven alongside the cabbage or in a saute pan then add them either sliced or whole to the cabbage for the last 10 minutes of cooking time.

    NOTES

    Red Cabbage with Apples reheats really well. Make ahead as per the recipe or store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat cover and bake at 350ºF (175 °C) for about 20 to 25 minutes. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
    Nutritional information is calculated without the optional sausages. 

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1of 6 servingsCalories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 629mgPotassium: 514mgFiber: 6gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 1917IUVitamin C: 100mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

    Hungry for more?

    Looking for more tasty vegan sides? You'll love these:

    • Air Fryer Carrots
    • Green Bean Potato Salad
    • Spicy Roasted Cauliflower
    • The Best Vegan Sweet Potatoes

    Hungry For More?

    • Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
    • Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
    • Stovetop Candied Pecans
    • Vegan Candied Nuts
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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karen says

      January 23, 2023 at 12:42 pm

      Could you substitute red wine vinegar for lemon juice or just omit?

      Reply
    2. Boston Vegan says

      January 22, 2023 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I missed the “chunky” part of prepping apple slices, so mine kind of disintegrated, but that didn't matter at all.

      Reply
    3. Georgia says

      October 16, 2022 at 9:25 am

      Hi Mel,
      Could I make this on the stove top, low heat for an hour? Would I need to add a cup of veg broth to prevent sticking?
      Many thanks for all your amazing recipes!

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        October 17, 2022 at 4:49 pm

        I've never tried it, but I'm sure it would be fine. I would add a cup of veg broth and be prepared to add a little more as necessary if it dries out. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Ingeborg says

      September 28, 2022 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      A different yet very tasty take on our Dutch rode kool met appeltjes 😊We use cloves, cinnamon and bayleaf so this version is a very nice but slightly different one to add to our menu. I really love love love red cabbage with mashed potatoes and vegan hachee, goulash or stooflapjes (no idea how to translate that one 😆) My winter comfort food for sure!

      Reply
    5. Alex Eve says

      August 30, 2022 at 1:36 pm

      5 stars
      Similar to the red cabbage with smoked meats my mother used to make. Also see Jane Grigson's Vegetable Cookbook. You can add raisins and sultanas which swell and become succulent. I had some sun dried apricots in the store which I added, with yummy results tonight.

      Reply
    6. Christine Albanese says

      April 25, 2022 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      Wonderful recipe and so quick and easy to prepare! I found that my cabbage only needed 45-50 mins to cook, but leaving it in for longer wouldn’t harm it either.

      Reply
    7. Theresa says

      December 23, 2021 at 6:26 am

      5 stars
      Full of flavour. A quick prep dinner. We used the Field Roast apple sage sausages. Great the next day too - right out of the fridge!

      Reply
    8. Doris says

      December 28, 2020 at 12:17 am

      5 stars
      So yummy. We are not vegan but it was a wonderful dish to create and add more veggies to our table.

      Reply
      • Doris says

        January 01, 2021 at 11:32 pm

        Just wondering if it can be cooked in a slow cooker rather than the oven?

        Reply
        • A Virtual Vegan says

          January 03, 2021 at 11:31 am

          The recipe hasn't been tested in a slow cooker. I'm sure it could be cooked in one, but you wouldn't get as good a flavour as you would when cooking it in an oven. Cooking in the oven concentrates the flavours. For some reason slow cookers make food taste a little bland and with that characteristic slow cooker taste, at least in my experience.

          Reply
    9. Michelle says

      December 18, 2020 at 12:53 pm

      I have red cabbage from my garden and apples... this looks like a great Xmas side dish! Looking forward to giving it a try. Thanks Mel!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 18, 2020 at 2:23 pm

        Hope you enjoy it Michelle!

        Reply
    10. Patricia Giannelia says

      December 18, 2020 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      Looks great - a variation on the German stewed red cabbage that I grew up with. It also has onions and apples, and then juniper berries or whole allspice for an amazing flavour.

      Also, living in the Okanagan now, I find that the sweeter apples - Royal Gala, Ambrosia, Delicious are so sweet, I don't need added sugar.

      Looking forward to trying this version for our Christmas dinner this year!

      Reply

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    Melanie McDonald

    I'm Melanie McDonald (but you can call me Mel), best-selling cookbook author and creator of A Virtual Vegan. I share well-tested, flavour-packed vegan recipes with clear, step-by-step instructions. My goal is to give you the confidence to cook amazing vegan food from scratch.

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