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
- roast Brussels sprouts
- and lots of roast potatoes of course?
More Christmas recipes you might like
Healthier Christmas rocky road
25 healthy Christmas treats for kids
Five vegetarian Christmas dinner ideas.
Roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts
Pin this braised red cabbage recipe for later:
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.
-
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.
See all my Christmas recipes.
Have you tried this recipe?
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I have been cooking with red cabbage recently, i like the simplicity of this and the spices in this def. sing Christmas carols.
Thanks Shaheen – this dish really says Christmas to me!
Delicious Mandy. I love red cabbage and usually pickle some for Christmas but I really like the idea of serving it with Christmas dinner. x
Oh I bet it’s lovely pickled too!
Gorgeous 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
Thanks Angela, I love the other cabbages too but this is the most Christmassy!
Yes please! I love red cabbage and you Christmas red cabbage sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Thanks Kirsty!
I 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.
Hope you try it Corina!
i 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
Hope you enjoy it Jenny x
I love your recipe. The red cabbage has such a lovely colour, it’s so tempting.
Thanks Anca – it’s stunning isn’t it x
I love the idea of using your red cabbage dish as part of a veggie Christmas dinner. It’s certaibly a festive favourite here too!
Thanks Lucy – it’s a must-have for me at Christmas!
I am with you! I love red cabbage for its incredible, vibrant colour but mostly for its health benefits! Lovely dish!
Thanks Julia – it’s got such a gorgeous colour and you just know how healthy it is when you see it x
Red cabbage is one of my favourite vegetables- I could eat a ton of this! I couldn’t imagine Christmas dinner without it 🙂
Totally agree Nickki!
It 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!
Hope you love it Sisley! Let me know how it goes x
Pinned this for later! I love red cabbage, especially for Christmas dinner 🙂
Thanks Aimee – it’s just perfect for Christmas isn’t it
So colourful and Christmassy. My Dad would love this.
It’s such a traditional recipe isn’t it