A delicious traditional and easy Christmas red cabbage recipe. This classic festive side dish is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is a must-have on every Christmas dinner table.
Spiced red cabbage is a Christmas classic
The colour of red cabbage is just incredible don’t you think? How could you see something so bright and vibrant and not be tempted to give it a try?
Well – quite easily if you’re my kids apparently but that’s fine. Not everything I make has to be for them. Ever since we started having a Christmas meal with our friends in London every December this vegan red cabbage recipe has been an essential part of our festive table.
It’s easier than you might think to cook red cabbage for a roast dinner. Our friend Russ, now more often called Uncle Wuss, has made this without fail every year since we started the tradition way back in the dark ages (circa 2004 I think).
This is my take on his recipe.
Red cabbage is the perfect Christmas side dish
My red cabbage is suitable for vegans and vegetarians and is the perfect accompaniment to any Christmas meal. If you’re planning a veggie or vegan Christmas this year why not try this with my:
- parsnip, chestnut and sage wreath (vegan)
- maple balsamic roasted carrots and parsnips
- mango and macadamia stuffing (veggie)
- a portion of roast Brussels sprouts
- and lots of roast potatoes of course?
How to make easy Christmas red cabbage:
Christmas red cabbage takes a while to cook but it’s really very easy to make.
Simply cook the onion, add grated apple and spices then shred the cabbage and add it bit by bit before leaving it to cook down for an hour or so.
It can be made in advance and reheated to save time on the big day.
Easy Christmas red cabbage recipe
A delicious traditional and easy Christmas red cabbage recipe. This classic festive side dish is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is a must-have on every Christmas dinner table.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 2 eating apples grated
- 3 cloves
- 3 star anise
- 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 tbsp sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 800 g red cabbage shredded
Instructions
-
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy based pan with a lid. Add the sliced red onion, stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the onion is soft. Stir occasionally.
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Add the grated apple, the spices and the vinegar. Stir, then add the red cabbage bit by bit, stirring as you go so that it's coated in the spices.
-
Cover and cook on a low heat for an hour or until the cabbage is cooked through.
-
Serve with a roast dinner.
If you like this you might like:
Healthier Christmas rocky road
25 healthy Christmas treats for kids
Five vegetarian Christmas dinner ideas.
15 best vegan cookbooks (over on my vegan food blog cookveggielicious.com)
Roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts (over on my vegan food blog cookveggielicious.com)
Rosemary roast potatoes (over on my vegan food blog cookveggielicious.com)
See all my Christmas recipes.
Pin this easy Christmas red cabbage recipe for later:
shaheen
November 24, 2016 at 7:47 amI have been cooking with red cabbage recently, i like the simplicity of this and the spices in this def. sing Christmas carols.
Mandy
November 25, 2016 at 5:49 amThanks Shaheen – this dish really says Christmas to me!
Sarah James
November 24, 2016 at 1:42 pmDelicious Mandy. I love red cabbage and usually pickle some for Christmas but I really like the idea of serving it with Christmas dinner. x
Mandy
November 25, 2016 at 5:49 amOh I bet it’s lovely pickled too!
Angeal / Only Crumbs Remain
November 24, 2016 at 8:33 pmGorgeous Mandy, I love red cabbage – it looks so much nicer than a plain white one, and with the spices it so perfect for this time of yearAngela x
Mandy
November 25, 2016 at 5:50 amThanks Angela, I love the other cabbages too but this is the most Christmassy!
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
November 24, 2016 at 8:51 pmYes please! I love red cabbage and you Christmas red cabbage sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Mandy Mazliah
November 25, 2016 at 5:53 amThanks Kirsty!
Corina
November 24, 2016 at 9:01 pmI fear my children might also turn their noses up at this but it’s such a lovely colour I hope it could tempt them. It’s one of those dishes I’ve been meaning to have a go at for a long time but never have. IT would be lovely with Christmas dinner.
Mandy Mazliah
November 25, 2016 at 5:52 amHope you try it Corina!
Jenny Paulin
November 25, 2016 at 9:31 ami have pinned this as i love red cabbage but have not tried it this way before. looks so good and i love the colour x
Mandy Mazliah
November 29, 2016 at 9:35 pmHope you enjoy it Jenny x
CookStyle
November 28, 2016 at 5:08 pmI love your recipe. The red cabbage has such a lovely colour, it’s so tempting.
Mandy Mazliah
November 29, 2016 at 9:35 pmThanks Anca – it’s stunning isn’t it x
Lucy
November 15, 2018 at 11:01 amI love the idea of using your red cabbage dish as part of a veggie Christmas dinner. It’s certaibly a festive favourite here too!
Mandy Mazliah
November 15, 2018 at 12:22 pmThanks Lucy – it’s a must-have for me at Christmas!
Julia Frey
November 16, 2018 at 5:33 pmI am with you! I love red cabbage for its incredible, vibrant colour but mostly for its health benefits! Lovely dish!
Mandy Mazliah
November 16, 2018 at 9:21 pmThanks Julia – it’s got such a gorgeous colour and you just know how healthy it is when you see it x
Nickki
November 19, 2018 at 11:18 amRed cabbage is one of my favourite vegetables- I could eat a ton of this! I couldn’t imagine Christmas dinner without it 🙂
Mandy Mazliah
November 20, 2018 at 3:01 pmTotally agree Nickki!
Sisley White
November 19, 2018 at 1:30 pmIt wouldn’t be Christmas in my family without red cabbage and apple. I’ve never made it before so this year is my year and I’ll be using your recipe. Can’t wait. The photos are making me so hungry!
Mandy Mazliah
November 20, 2018 at 2:59 pmHope you love it Sisley! Let me know how it goes x
Aimee
November 19, 2018 at 4:18 pmPinned this for later! I love red cabbage, especially for Christmas dinner 🙂
Mandy Mazliah
November 20, 2018 at 2:59 pmThanks Aimee – it’s just perfect for Christmas isn’t it
Cat | Curly's Cooking
November 20, 2018 at 3:18 pmSo colourful and Christmassy. My Dad would love this.
Mandy Mazliah
November 20, 2018 at 10:20 pmIt’s such a traditional recipe isn’t it