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–+ servings
Danish red cabbage in a white bowl with a gold rim

Delicious Danish Red Cabbage!

Grace
Danish Red Cabbage is a jewel of a dish! It's an explosion of tangy and sweet flavors and is a perfect accompaniment to your favorite roasts!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cabbage Soaking Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course accompaniment, Side Dish
Cuisine Danish, European
Servings 6 people
Calories 83 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large covered pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb red cabbage sliced thinly
  • ¾ cup red wine vinegar can sub regular vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ ts salt
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 1 apple diced (do not have to peel)
  • ¼ cup red currant jam or jelly
  • 2 tablespoon goose, duck, or bacon fat purely optional but imparts a great richness to this dish!

Instructions
 

  • Begin by soaking sliced red cabbage in your red wine vinegar (or vinegar) in a large pan (that has a cover) for around 15 minutes. (You will use this pan to cook the cabbage.) It's my understanding that this will help the cabbage to keep its red color. We want do to everything we can to preserve the beautiful color of this dish.
    Sliced red cabbage and red wine vinegar in a pot with blue tongs on the side
  • While the cabbage is soaking in the vinegar, dice the apple and sauté it for around 10 minutes in melted butter (in a separate pan) on a medium heat.
    diced apple sautéing in a pan with butter
  • After soaking for 15 minutes, add the water, sugar, salt, sautéed apple, and animal fat (if using) to the red cabbage. Bring this to the boil, and then simmer covered for 45 minutes.
    Sliced red cabbage, diced applies, and brown sugar in a pot
  • After 45 minutes, remove the lid and then add the red currant jam (or jelly), and then simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cabbage is mostly dry. Taste and adjust for salt at this time.
    sliced red cabbage and apples in a pot with red currant jam
  • Your jewel of a dish is now ready to serve!
    Danish red cabbage served with mashed potatoes and meatballs, with salad and fruit in the background

Notes

You can use either red currant jam or jelly.
The animal fat is purely optional, but highly recommended!
Danish red cabbage is perfect served alongside your favorite roast. In Denmark this is a staple at Christmas time served with Christmas goose, duck, or pork.
This side dish can be eaten hot or cold. It's also great to add to roast beef or roast pork sandwiches!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 225mgPotassium: 247mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 868IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cabbage, red cabbage, side dish, vegetable side dish
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