This slow cooker Spiced Red Cabbage recipe is a low-maintenance, hands-off side dish you need at every holiday gathering! Its sweet, sour, and savory flavors pair perfectly with roast turkey or pork.

Red cabbage, one of the most humble veggies around, is transformed into a mouthwatering side dish in this Spiced Red Cabbage recipe. It’s colorful, full of flavor, and made entirely in the slow cooker to help you save on stress! Serve a scoop next to apple pork chops, the Thanksgiving turkey, or any of your favorite festive meals.

I know what you’re thinking… “It’s just cabbage,” right? Wrong! 

When you slowly braise red cabbage in a mix of red wine vinegar, apples, and brown sugar, you end up with the most divine sweet and sour flavor profile and mouthwatering tender cabbage. The best part is that the slow cooker does all the work so you can focus on the rest of the meal! I know you’ll love having it on your winter and holiday menus.

Recipe features

• Red cabbage is combined with apples, garlic, brown sugar, and cinnamon for a mouthwatering sweet and savory side dish.
• It’s braised low and slow in the slow cooker for the most hands-off approach!
• A warm and flavorful side dish to serve with Thanksgiving dinner or any cold-weather meal. 
• It’s naturally vegetarian and gluten-free!

Ingredients

Red cabbage – Remove the outer leaves and core before finely shredding the cabbage. You can do this with a box grater, a sharp chef’s knife, or a food processor fitted with a shredding blade.

Apple – Use a Granny Smith apple for the perfect tart flavor.

Red wine vinegar – The vinegar’s acidity balances the stronger savory-sweet flavors and maintains the cabbage’s bright red color. Balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar should work well as a substitute.

Brown sugar – We need something sweet to cut through the naturally bitter cabbage and savory garlic. Feel free to use coconut sugar as a refined sugar-free substitute.

Cinnamon – Just a pinch brings a nice warmth to this winter side dish!

Instructions

Step 1: Combine. Add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker and stir to combine.

Step 2: Slow cook. Cook on high, stirring every hour or so, until the cabbage is very tender.

Step 3: Serve. Transfer the braised red cabbage to a serving bowl and serve warm. Enjoy!

Tips and FAQs

• Low and slow cooking is the key to this easy red cabbage recipe! Try not to rush it.
• If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can braise the cabbage on the stove. Add the ingredients to a large saucepan, cover with a lid, and heat to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for approximately 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes, or until the cabbage is very tender.
• This recipe can also be made in the oven. Combine the ingredients in a casserole dish, cover with foil, and braise in a 300ºF oven for 2.5 hours. Stir it every so often to prevent the cabbage from sticking.

Variations

Use these variation ideas when you want to add your own special touch to this winter side dish:

• Instead of apples – Use a grated green Bartlett pear. It will be slightly softer but will taste almost as sour and tart as the apple.
• Add protein – Stir pre-cooked diced ham, shredded chicken, or cubed bacon into the cabbage 30 minutes before serving. Crumbled tempeh bacon also works when you want to keep this vegetarian-friendly.
• More warm spices – Add a pinch of nutmeg and ground cloves alongside the cinnamon to take the warm winter flavors up a notch.
• Combine with green cabbage – Use a 50-50 mix of shredded red cabbage and green cabbage for a colorful twist.
• Vegan option – Just swap the butter for dairy-free butter if you need a vegan option.

Serving suggestions

This festive spiced red cabbage dish is especially delicious with pork, turkey, and ham, which makes it a must-have for the holidays. Enjoy it as a low-effort side dish for any holiday meal, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter! 

Any other time of year, you can pair it with these bacon-wrapped chicken thighs, roast turkey, glazed ham, honey ginger pork, turkey meatballs, and more. Even the chilled leftover cabbage would be a tasty topping on turkey burgers or an autumn harvest bowl.

Storage

Refrigerator: Transfer the cooled leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Freezer: The cooled cabbage also freezes well for about 3 months in a ziplock bag or freezer-safe container. Thaw the leftovers in the refrigerator overnight, drain any excess liquid, and reheat.

Reheating: You can serve the chilled leftovers as a simple topping or reheat them in a microwave or skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil until warmed through. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed before serving.

More easy side dishes

• Creamed Spinach
• Raw Mushroom Salad
• Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!