Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage Recipe (Vegetarian)
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Jump to RecipeThis sweet and sour red cabbage recipe is a bright and flavorful side dish! Made with healthy red cabbage, apple cider vinegar, and fruit!
This is one side dish that is inexpensive, tasty, and great to serve along side any protein. A bright and flavorful side dish that is fantastic all year round.
This Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage Recipe Is:
- Sweet
- Tangy
- Bright
- Tart
- Packed with Flavor
- Vegetarian (not technically vegan because of the honey), dairy free, and refined sugar free
Make Sweet Sauerkraut at Home
Sweet & sour cabbage (and sauerkraut) has always been one of my favorite ways to eat cabbage. My family used to go to this fantastic Bohemian/German restaurant “Little Europe” in Brookfield Illinois when I was growing up. We would get breaded pork tenderloins all around, with potato dumplings, goulash (or beef noodle soup), heaps of sweet and sour cabbage and sauerkraut, and of course kolaches for dessert. I’m drooling just thinking about it!
Little Europe has since closed, but I love sweet and sour cabbage to this day. This recreation uses a red cabbage and some raw honey in a sweet vinegar dressing.
What’s In This Sweet and Sour Cabbage Recipe?
Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
- Red Cabbage
- Honey: As beekeepers, we have plenty of raw honey so I try to use it in all my recipes instead of sugar. I’d recommend trying a local farmers market to find the best raw honey in your area.
- Balsamic Vinegar: which gives this cabbage a nice sweetness and acidity. I use balsamic because it has a really great flavor for a store-bought vinegar.
- Apple Juice: I use this to give the cabbage a sweet fruity flavor, without adding any actual sugar. I like these no sugar added apple juices which come in smaller containers, perfect for adding a touch to this cabbage recipe.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and black pepper
Red cabbage and apples is a classic combo – so I decided to give it a new twist by using apple juice in this recipe. It has all the sweetness of the apples, but also gives the cabbage a nice flavorful broth to simmer in.
Easy Weeknight Cabbage Recipes
This honey sweet & sour cabbage recipe is what I call an Easy Weeknight Meal – which is on your table in about 30 minutes. These quick and simple recipes are perfect for those nights when you want a tasty homecooked meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Browse our Easy Weeknight Meals, that are great for the whole family. From soups and stews, to pastas and proteins – a quick meal can be on your table in no time. Even faster than ordering takeout!
How Do I Make This Naturally Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Honey?
- In a large pot, add the shredded cabbage and olive oil. Heat over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until cabbage has begun to wilt.
- Add the apple juice, raw honey, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the pot, and heat on low for about 30 minutes until cabbage is cooked through
Dietary Modifications
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian, but because honey isn’t technically vegan, you can substitute maple syrup or brown sugar instead of honey in this recipe if you don’t eat animal products.
- It’s also refined sugar free, but make sure you are using 100% apple juice and not a blend or mix that has added sugar.
More Easy Recipes With Honey We Love!
A Beekeeper’s Raw Honey Mustard Dressing
Baked Caramel Apples (Vegan, Paleo)
Honey Mustard Macaroni Salad (Vegetarian, Vegan Option)
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Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 medium head red cabbage shredded
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1/4 cup honey or other natural sweetener
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, add the shredded cabbage and olive oil. Heat over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until cabbage has begun to wilt.
- Add the apple juice, raw honey, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the pot, and heat on low for about 30 minutes until cabbage is cooked through.
Notes
- We try to cook as low sodium as possible, so you can add additional salt or pepper to suit your tastes.
- Same with the sweetness: if you need more sweetness, add more honey or apple juice.
Nutrition
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A great side dish
This is one of my all time favorites ?