Sweet and Sour Green Cabbage Recipe
This sweet and sour green cabbage recipe is one of the easiest, tastiest side dishes you can make! It’s flavorful, tender, and inexpensive – and goes great with any protein!
Ready in 30 minutes, this cabbage is a crowd-pleasing favorite. We love serving this sweet & sour cabbage recipe alongside Bohemian dumplings and crispy protein.
Want more great cabbage recipes? Try our crunchy Thai chickpea salad, cabbage udon noodles, and our favorite cabbage and bean soup!
This recipe was originally published in October 2023, but was updated in November 2025 with new step-by-step photos, recipe additions and substitutes for the recipe, and additional FAQs.
Whenever I see cabbage on sale, I always grab a head or two so I can make one of my favorite sides: this delicious sweet & sour green cabbage recipe! It reminds me of the really great Bohemian style sweet & sour cabbage you can get a good Czech restaurants, and it tastes just as good!
Sweet & sour cabbage is a staple in Bohemian cooking. I grew up eating it at restaurants, and recently was able to take a trip to one of my favorite Bohemian restaurants in Chicago, The Westchester Inn (which I went to again recently!), for the real deal. It’s a cozy bowl of old-world flavor.
Notes from Our Kitchen
- This recipe is sweet and savory!
- It’s loaded with flavor in each bite.
- It has a nice tartness.
- Simple to make, with inexpensive produce and pantry staples.
- It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a great side dish you can make any night of the week.
- Anyone can successfully make this dish by following our step-by-step photos and directions below.
A Tasty Cabbage Side Dish Everyone Will Love
This sweet and sour green cabbage is one of my favorite sides – it’s a crowd-pleaser dish that is always a major hit on our table. These delicious recipes are the perfect accompaniment to serve with protein or bread dumplings.
Browse all our side dish recipes to find your next family favorite! And the best part about this cabbage is that there is very little prep, and the cabbage cooks itself so you can prep other parts of dinner while it cooks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
- Green Cabbage – I like using a medium head of cabbage for this recipe, about 2lbs. Remove the outer leaves before you start chopping for the best texture.
- Butter – I always use unsalted butter to reduce the amount of sodium in my cooking.
- Caraway Seeds – optional if you like the flavor, I put them in mine!
- White Vinegar – tart, inexpensive, and gives this cabbage a fantastic flavor.
- Granulated Sugar
- Salt & Pepper
Additions and Substitutions
You can use olive oil instead of butter. It gives the cabbage the same richness, but olive oil is a vegan and plant-based alternative to butter.
Try this recipe with red cabbage too!
You could omit the caraway seeds if you can’t find them at the store, or don’t like the flavor.
How To Make This Cabbage Recipe
Step 1: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the sliced onion and lightly brown for 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add in the caraway seeds (if using) and sauté for an additional minute.
Step 3: Pour in the water, white vinegar, and sugar and stir well to combine.
Step 4: Add the shredded cabbage and black pepper to the pot, and stir well to combine. Cover and simmer cabbage for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Add the fresh lemon to the sauerkraut, and it give it a final stir. Taste, and adjust vinegar or sugar level as needing, adding more to taste. Serve hot, and garnish with extra caraway seeds. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Traditional green cabbage works well, as it has a wonderful texture, especially when it’s been simmering. If you wanted softer cabbage, you can make this with Savoy or Napa cabbage.
Yes, this recipe is great to make in advance! You can make it up to 3 days before serving, and just reheat before serving.
If you have leftover cabbage, you can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
European Inspired Comfort Food Any Time of Year
This Czech-inspired cabbage recipe is the tastiest, coziest dinner side. It’s perfect for a hearty meal for the family, and also great to make for company if you are having guests for dinner.
It makes a great holiday meal as well – and would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas. The cabbage simmering on the stove most of the work, so you can enjoy hands-off time while you prep sides or a salad!
More Tasty Vegetable Side Dishes You’ll Love
- How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer
- Spinach Strawberry Salad Recipe
- Chickpea and Kidney Bean Salad
- Quick Pickled Carrots and Jalapenos Recipe
- La Scala Chopped Salad
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Our cookbook One Ingredient, Five Ways has tasty no-waste plant-based recipes for everyone
Sweet and Sour Green Cabbage
Equipment
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 1 medium head green cabbage finely shredded, about 2 lbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1.5 cups water
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the butter over low heat until melted.
- Add in the caraway seeds and sauté for an additional minute.
- Pour in the water, white vinegar, and sugar and stir well to combine. Add the shredded cabbage, salt, black pepper to the pot, and stir well to combine. Cover and simmer cabbage for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the fresh lemon to the sauerkraut, and it give it a final stir. Taste, and adjust the vinegar or sugar to your preferences. Serve hot, and garnish with extra caraway seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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A perfect addition to any meal
This one is a fantastic side