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Home » Swedish recipes

Brunkål-Swedish brown cabbage

Published: Aug 28, 2022 · by Cecilia Hoikka · Affiliate links are marked with an *asterix

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This yummy cabbage stew is traditional in Southern Sweden -in Skåne, especially at the Christmas table. It is sweet, flavorsome, and melts in your mouth.

You can make a delicious kållåda, a cabbage casserole with some fried minced meat from leftovers.

brown cabbage stew in blue pot and in a small blue bowl on blue background with pinecones and lace.

No, the cabbage is not brown, regular white cabbage is used, but the dish becomes brown since brown syrup is used, and the cabbage browns and caramelizes in the making.

History

Different types of braised cabbage are common, especially at the Swedish Christmas table. This brown cabbage is eaten especially at Skåne. I have a recipe also for braised red cabbage; this is more common in the middle parts of Sweden. You need to test that one, also.

What is unique about this brown cabbage is that it is cooked for a very long time; this is how it gets its brown color. The dark syrup is used to give it some sweetness, and a splash of vinegar balances out the taste.

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Brunkål is often cooked in pork fat from the oven-cooked ham but is also good if made with butter and meat-, chicken or veggie stock.

Brunkål is not only a Swedish thing. It is a traditional dish in Denmark also. In Denmark, it is also eaten as an everyday food. Usually, with added bacon. I don´t know where the recipe originally came from, but southern Sweden and Denmark, since close together, have many similarities in dishes.

Ingredients

ingredients in small bowls and chicken stock in package, cabbage sliced in half.
  • White cabbage
  • Butter. Margarine or oil can also be used instead
  • Chicken stock, beef stock, or vegetable stock. Or broth from the ham.
  • Dark Syrup
  • Soy sauce. Instead of soy sauce, you can use salt
  • Vinegar. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar is most commonly used.
  • Pepper. White pepper is more traditional, but black pepper is equally good.
  • Whole allspice-optional
  • 2 Bay leaves-optional

Adding a yellow onion is also optional-it gives an additional taste.

What to replace the Scandinavian brown syrup with?

In this recipe, you can replace it with muscovado sugar. Any of the below also works;

  • Dark Karo syrup
  • Dark corn syrup
  • Danish molasses
  • Sorghum syrup
  • Golden syrup with 2 tablespoon blackstrap molasses

If you don't have any of these at home, use regular white sugar or light syrup.

Instructions

  1. Remove withered outer leaves. Cut the cabbage into four, and remove the hard parts.
  2. Cut your cabbage pieces into slices and then into small pieces.
Cabbage sliced in big pieces
One fourth of white cabbage scut into small pieces
  1. Melt the butter in your pan. Use a large saucepan or a Duch oven.
  2. Add the cabbage and fry at high heat for about 5 minutes while stirring. If you want your cabbage to be very brown, you can brown some color to it at this stage. Browning also gives some more taste.
melted butter in pan.
fried cabbage pieces in big pot.
  1. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Simmer your cabbage stew on low to medium heat with a lid on for an hour.
  2. Remove the lid and cook at low heat for another hour so you get some liquid evaporated. The flavor intensifies with this long cooking time.
addiotional ingredients and spices on the fried cabbage.
brown cabbage stew in silver big pot with wooden spoon.

Tip: If you are in a hurry, an hour works fine as cooking time for the cabbage. For the most flavor, you can let it stew for up to 4 hours.

What to serve with?

  • Ham
  • Sausage
  • Meatballs
  • Duck breast
  • Chicken
  • Plant-based meatballs
  • Seitan ham
  • With mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam

Brunkål does not look that fancy, but serve it in a nice bowl and chop some chives or parsley on top of it and it will look more appealing. You can decorate the dish even with some frozen cranberries or lingonberries. -those pair nicely with the cabbage in taste.

Brown cabbage served in a smaller blue enamel pot with golden  spoon.

Can you make this into a vegan version?

Absolutely. When making brunkål, you can use vegetable stock and margarine or oil when frying your cabbage. Serve it with IKEA plant balls and lingonberry jam; absolutely delicious. This also goes well with other vegan meat substitutes like seitan ham.

FAQ

Can you make brunkål in the oven?

Yes, absolutely. Stir it a couple of times when in the oven. Bake at 400F (200C) for at least an hour on the middle shelf. Use foil as a lid so the cabbage does not burn on top.

How long does it keep?

Store your brunkål in an airtight container since cabbage has a powerful smell. It keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge.

Can you freeze stewed cabbage?

Brunkål can be made ahead of time and then frozen. Thaw it in the fridge and reheat it in the oven or a pan.

Other recipes for the buffet

  • Swedish red cabbage
  • Gravlax-cured salmon
  • Archipelago bread-(goes well with salmon)
  • Pickled herring

And desserts

  • Rice porridge
  • Rice pudding
  • Rice a la malta
  • Candied almonds
  • Knäck-Swedish toffee
  • Cinnamon rolls
  • White glögg
  • Traditional mulled wine
brown cabbage stew in blue pot and small bowl.

Brunkål-Swedish style brown cabbage

Stewed white cabbage
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs
Servings 8
Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds white cabbage. (1 medium size) about 1 kg
  • ½ stick butter (½cup), 60 grams
  • ½ cup brown syrup
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon white or black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice(about 10-15 psc)
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions
 

  • Remove withered outer leaves. Cut the cabbage into four, and remove the hard parts. Cut your cabbage pieces into slices and then into small pieces.
  • Melt the butter in your large pan. Add the cabbage and fry at high heat for about 5 minutes while stirring. If you want your cabbage to be very brown you can brown some color to it at this stage.
  • Add in the rest of the ingredients. Simmer your cabbage stew on low to medium heat with a lid on for an hour. Remove the lid and cook at low heat for another hour so you get some liquid evaporated.
  • Serve warm with ham, sausages, or meatballs.

Notes

Make it in the oven:  Bake at 400F (200C) for at least an hour on the middle shelf. Use a foil as a lid, so the cabbage does not burn on top. Stir it a couple of times when in the oven. 
Replacements: Chicken stock can be replaced with vegetable stock or beef stock. You can also use Christmas ham broth.
Instead of brown syrup, you can use light syrup or muscovado sugar-see more alternatives in the article. 
Soy sauce can be replaced with salt. White wine vinegar with some other vinegar.  

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 17.7gProtein: 1.5gFat: 5.1gSaturated Fat: 3.3gSodium: 770mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 5g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Hi, I'm Cecilia. I want to share Scandinavian and Nordic recipes for you who want to connect with your Nordic heritage and learn to make delicious, simple Scandinavian food and learn about the food culture.

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