Sweet & Sour Bavarian Cabbage

Featured in: Rustic Weekend Recipes

This Bavarian side dish combines finely shredded red cabbage with sliced tart apples for a balance of sweetness and tang. Onions are sautéed in sunflower oil before adding cabbage and apples, which soften gently during simmering with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and warm spices like allspice and caraway seeds. The result is a vibrant and flavorful accompaniment that pairs beautifully with roasts and sausages, offering a tender texture with a slight crispness and rich aroma.

Updated on Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:56:00 GMT
Tender Bavarian red cabbage and apple, a sweet and sour side, ready to serve and enjoy. Save
Tender Bavarian red cabbage and apple, a sweet and sour side, ready to serve and enjoy. | honeyflint.com

A vibrant and tangy-sweet Bavarian side dish featuring tender red cabbage and apples, perfect alongside roasts or sausages.

I often make this dish during family gatherings, and it never fails to impress everyone at the table.

Ingredients

  • Red cabbage: 1 small head (about 700 g), finely shredded
  • Apples: 2 medium (preferably tart, e.g., Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
  • Red onion: 1 small, finely sliced
  • Apple cider vinegar: 100 ml
  • Water: 75 ml
  • Sunflower oil: 2 tbsp
  • Brown sugar: 2 tbsp
  • Caraway seeds: 1 tsp (optional)
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Ground allspice: ½ tsp
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
Heat the sunflower oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Step 2:
Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
Step 3:
Stir in the shredded cabbage and apples. Cook, stirring, for 3>4 minutes until just starting to wilt.
Step 4:
Sprinkle in the brown sugar, caraway seeds, allspice, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat.
Step 5:
Add the apple cider vinegar, water, and bay leaf. Mix thoroughly.
Step 6:
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender but still slightly crisp and the apples have softened.
Step 7:
Remove the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm.
Vibrant plate of Sweet & Sour Bavarian Red Cabbage and Apple, the perfect German side dish. Save
Vibrant plate of Sweet & Sour Bavarian Red Cabbage and Apple, the perfect German side dish. | honeyflint.com

This recipe always brings my family to the table, filling the kitchen with warm scents and happy memories.

Required Tools

Large skillet or Dutch oven, chefs knife, cutting board, wooden spoon

Allergen Information

Contains none of the major allergens. Always check vinegar and spice labels for potential traces or cross-contamination.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 105, Total Fat: 4 g, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 2 g (per serving)

Steaming bowl of Sweet & Sour Bavarian Red Cabbage and Apple, a comforting fall recipe. Save
Steaming bowl of Sweet & Sour Bavarian Red Cabbage and Apple, a comforting fall recipe. | honeyflint.com

This dish pairs beautifully with hearty meats and brings a burst of color to your plate.

Recipe FAQs

What type of apples work best in this dish?

Tart apples such as Granny Smith are ideal, as their acidity balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

Can I substitute the apple cider vinegar with another type?

Yes, white wine vinegar can be used as a substitute, though it may slightly alter the tanginess.

Is the caraway seed essential for flavor?

Caraway seeds add a traditional aromatic note but are optional; omitting them won't drastically change the dish.

How should I adjust seasoning to taste?

After simmering, taste and add salt or pepper as needed to enhance the balance between sweet and sour flavors.

Can this be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, flavors deepen when chilled and reheated gently before serving, making it suitable for advance preparation.

Sweet & Sour Bavarian Cabbage

Tender red cabbage and apples cooked with spices and vinegar for a tangy-sweet Bavarian side.

Prep duration
10 minutes
Time to cook
20 minutes
Total duration
30 minutes
Recipe by Julia Fenmore

Recipe group Rustic Weekend Recipes

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type German

Makes 4 Portions

Diet info Plant-based, No dairy, No gluten

What you'll need

Vegetables & Fruit

01 1 small head red cabbage (approximately 1.54 lbs), finely shredded
02 2 medium tart apples (e.g., Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
03 1 small red onion, finely sliced

Liquids

01 ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
02 5 tablespoons water
03 2 tablespoons sunflower oil

Seasonings

01 2 tablespoons brown sugar
02 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
03 1 bay leaf
04 ½ teaspoon ground allspice
05 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation steps

Step 01

Heat Oil: Warm sunflower oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 02

Sauté Onion: Add the sliced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened.

Step 03

Add Cabbage and Apples: Incorporate shredded cabbage and sliced apples; stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they start to wilt.

Step 04

Season the Mixture: Sprinkle in brown sugar, caraway seeds if using, ground allspice, salt, and pepper; stir to evenly coat.

Step 05

Add Liquids and Bay Leaf: Pour in apple cider vinegar and water, add bay leaf, and mix thoroughly.

Step 06

Simmer: Cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender yet slightly crisp and apples are softened.

Step 07

Finish and Serve: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve warm.

Tools needed

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon

Allergy details

Review each item for allergens and check with your doctor if unsure.
  • No major allergens present; verify vinegar and spices for potential cross-contamination.

Nutrition details (each serving)

Information here is just a guide—talk to your doctor for personal advice.
  • Calorie count: 105
  • Fat content: 4 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 18 grams
  • Proteins: 2 grams