14 Red Cabbage Recipes for Fall

Pickled Cabbage — The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Red cabbage is a great veggie to keep around. Economical and nutritious, the large, dense heads will keep in a fridge for up to a month, outlasting most other produce. It also tastes great raw and cooked and adds beautiful color to dishes.

Need some fresh recipe ideas? Our best red cabbage recipes for braises, slaws, and quick pickles will give you great ideas for cooking the versatile vegetable.

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Polish Sweet and Sour Braised Red Cabbage

The Spruce

Polish-style red cabbage, braised in a simple sweet and sour sauce including brown sugar and red wine vinegar, is a quick and colorful fall side dish. The red cabbage retains its bright color when cooked, so it's great for brightening up a plate of roasted meat. Use a food processor to shred the cabbage and onion for easy preparation.
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Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw

The Spruce

Shredded red cabbage, onion, raisins, and chopped nuts are dressed with a simple mixture of mayo, vinegar, and sugar for a fresh and tangy slaw that's delicious all year round. The coleslaw is easy to mix up ahead of time and packs great for potlucks and meals on the go.
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Red Cabbage With Bacon and Apples

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Flavored with savory crumbled bacon, tart Granny Smith apples, rich red wine, and simple seasonings, this pan-sauteed red cabbage creates a symphony on the palate. It makes a tasty side dish for pork chops or a pork tenderloin roast. Or serve it with steaks as a colorful alternative to the usual creamed spinach.
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Quick-Pickled Cabbage

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Pickled red cabbage adds a zing of tangy flavor and a pop of color to sandwiches, salads, and entrees. This quick-pickled vegetable takes mere minutes to assemble and can be enjoyed within a couple of hours. It's a delicious condiment to have on hand for topping burgers and hot dogs and serving alongside pulled pork barbecue.

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Red Cabbage and Apple Salad

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Crisp apple slices, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy toasted pecans contribute delightful flavor and texture to this quick red cabbage salad. Dressed in a lightly sweetened vinaigrette that includes honey and whole grain mustard, it makes an excellent first course for a dinner of pork roast, barbecue ribs, or baked ham.
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Pork Chops With Cream Sauce and Braised Red Cabbage

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Cinnamon-spiced and braised red cabbage is an ideal pairing for tasty pork chops cooked in the skillet with a luscious, tangy mustard and cream sauce. The cabbage includes apples, a little vinegar, wine, and basic pantry spices. It's a simple warming dinner you can prepare in about an hour on busy weeknights.
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Crock Pot Red Cabbage and Onions

Brian Yarvin / Getty Images

Create an eye-catching side dish for apple-topped pork chops with this crock pot red cabbage dish that includes red onions and just a few simple seasonings. Simply combine the ingredients in the slow cooker and leave to cook hands-free all day for a tasty and tender vegetable side.
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Red Cabbage Salad

The Picture Pantry / Getty Images

Assemble this tangy red cabbage slaw with an appealing sweet and sour dressing a few days ahead of serving to allow the flavors to blend. Keep it on hand in the fridge as an easy side salad you can serve with weeknight dinners. Or load it on top of fish tacos, burgers, or pulled pork sandwiches for a crunchy and cool vegetable topping.

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Red Cabbage Sauerkraut

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Lacto-fermented sauerkraut makes a tasty salad on its own or a great accompaniment to grilled cheese sandwiches and baked potato soup. This easy recipe uses red cabbage for a colorful variation on the traditional sauerkraut and can be made in less than 10 minutes. The only difficult part is waiting a week while the kraut ferments and the flavor develops.
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Buddha Bowl

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Crunchy red cabbage is paired with fluffy quinoa, crispy tofu, other colorful, fresh veggies, and a nutty sauce for a delicious meal in a bowl. Enjoy a buddha bowl for a vegetarian lunch that's as much a feast for the eyes as the stomach.
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Sauteed Red Cabbage, Apple and Mustard

Think Vegetables

Cabbage and apples are a classic combination that sing when you add a few simple ingredients. All you need are a few mustard seeds, a little apple juice, salt, and pepper for this quick and easy side dish that highlights the naturally sweet, seasonal flavors of fall produce. Makes a great side dish for pork chops, grilled sausages, and sheet pan chicken.
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Easy Beer Braised Cabbage

Katie Workman / The Spruce

Red cabbage is a great accompaniment to sausage, but as part of slow braise with beer it's even more delicious. Crisp up the bacon, and then add the onion and cabbage to the same pot so the pork fat flavors the vegetables. Pour in the beer of your choice for a phenomenally tasty sauce. Serve as a savory side for corned beef, roast chicken, or steaks.

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Grilled Purple Salad

The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

Red cabbage wedges get lots of delicious smokiness and a bit of sweetness from the grill but still retain their crunch. Combined with purple carrots, potatoes, and a sweet and salty dressing, this grilled purple salad is a colorful addition to any meal. Try pairing with grilled or baked chicken breasts.
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German Red Cabbage

Gloria Cabada-Leman / Flickr

Traditionally eaten with bratwurst sausages, this German-style red cabbage dish is simmered on the stovetop with onions, bacon, and diced apples. The braising liquid includes red wine, honey, and cloves, so it smells fantastic as it cooks. Serve it alongside roast goose or turkey for a delicious, nostalgic holiday dinner.

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Sauteed Red Cabbage, Apple and Mustard

Grilled Purple Salad