Easy German Red Cabbage
A sweet and tangy German-style side dish made with red cabbage, butter, sugar, and balsamic vinegar, simmered until tender and perfectly flavorful.
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ large red cabbage sliced ¼ inch thick
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Sauté the cabbage.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced red cabbage and toss well to coat it evenly in the melted butter. Sauté for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to soften slightly.
Add sugar and vinegar.
- Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the cabbage and stir to combine. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and continue stirring to distribute the flavors. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Simmer until tender.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and allow the cabbage to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cabbage should become tender yet retain a slight firmness; avoid overcooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Season and serve.
- Once the cabbage has reached the desired texture, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm as an accompaniment to pork, poultry, or beef.
Notes
This dish is naturally gluten-free when prepared with certified gluten-free balsamic vinegar. To ensure a gluten-free version, verify that the vinegar and any accompanying seasonings are free from additives or thickeners containing gluten. All other ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.