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Home » Swedish recipes

Rödkål-Swedish Braised Red Cabbage

Published: Aug 21, 2022 · by Cecilia Hoikka · Affiliate links are marked with an *asterix

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This braised red cabbage side dish is very traditional in Sweden and Denmark. Especially at the Christmas buffet. You can though serve this all year round as a side to different meats like pork, duck, or chicken.

The Swedish version and Danish version of braised red cabbage are very alike. One difference is that black currant jam or juice is more commonly used in the Danish version. All families also have their own recipes. Some like it quite plain, and some like to add a variety of spices to it.

In the ingredient list you get tips on flavoring your cabbage the traditional way. Then you have to experiment what you like the best.

Basic Ingredients

  • Red cabbage
  • Butter-Use margarine or oil to make a milk-free/vegan version.
  • Onion-use regular or red onion-optional
  • Apple-a not so sweet apple gives a nice tang. Green apples are traditional- optional
  • Red wine vinegar, can be replaced with other types of vinegar like apple cider vinegar. This can also be replaces with wine, but double the amount then.
  • Light syrup, brown sugar, or lingonberry jam
  • Bay leaves
  • Whole allspice-optional
  • Black pepper
  • Salt

Optional spices

  • Cloves
  • Cumin
  • Nutmeg
  • Currant jam

Instructions

  • Cut your cabbage into quite thin slices. Use a knife, a cheese slicer or mandolin for this. Grate your apple and cut the onion also into thin slices.
  • Melt the butter on your pan. You can use a big frying pan or casserole. To get even more rich flavor to your dish, you can brown the butter slightly so it gets some light brown spots.
  • Add in all your ingredients, give it a stir and let simmer with a lid on for 50-60 minutes on medium heat. Stir it once in a while.
Cabbage sliced thin with a knife on wooden board.
Melted butter on white pan.
all ingredients in pan.

What to serve with

This is a traditional side dish for the Christmas ham, it goes also very well together with sausages, spareribs, and meatballs.

I actually like to eat this braised cabbage as a vegan version together with IKEA plant-balls, mash and lingonberry jam.

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Swedish holiday recipes

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FAQ

Can you freeze braised cabbage?

Yes, freeze up to 3 months in an airtight container.

How long does braised cabbage keep?

Store your stewed cabbage for up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container or ziplock bag. To keep it for longer you need to use a vacuum-sealed container.

Is braised red cabbage healthy?

Red cabbage is high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, selenium, folate, and B vitamins, it is also high in antioxidants.

Other recipes for a Scandinavian holiday buffet

  • Brunkål-brown cabbage
  • Pickled herring
  • Spice cake
  • Home-made gingerbread spice mix
  • Gravlax
  • Archipelago bread
  • Cinnamon rolls
  • Rice porridge
  • Rice a la malta
  • Candied almonds
  • Swedish toffee
  • Glögg
braised cabbage on blue plate and in a white pan.

Swedish Braised Red Cabbage

This is a scandinavian style braised cabbage.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Scandinavian, Swedish
Servings 8
Calories 132 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds red cabbage
  • 1 green apple
  • 1 medium onion, yellow or red.
  • ½ stick butter, (60g)
  • 4 tablespoon light or brown syrup or brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon black or white pepper
  • 4 bay leaves
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves or 4-5 whole ones
  • 8 whole allspice

Instructions
 

  • Cut your cabbage into quite thin slices. Grate your apple and cut the onion also into thin slices.
  • Melt the butter on your pan or casserole. Even a dutch oven is great to use.
  • Add in all your ingredients, give it a stir and let simmer with a lid on for 50-60 minutes on medium heat. Stir it once in a while.

Notes

Additional spices you can add;  ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cumin. 
Danish love to add currant jam to their cabbage. If you like to try, then add 2 tablespoon of it to the recipe. 
Stores for 5 days in the fridge. 

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 6.2gFiber: 3.6gSugar: 4.4g
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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