Braised Red Cabbage With Kielbasa, Apple & Mustard Cream Recipe on Food52 (2024)

One-Pot Wonders

by: EmilyC

December21,2020

5

14 Ratings

  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 30 minutes
  • Serves 4

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

This cozy one-pan dinner is the type of low-effort, high-reward meal to keep on repeat for cold, busy nights. It’s inspired by Molly Steven’s Red Cabbage Braised with Maple & Ginger from All About Braising, which itself is a nod to classic German sweet and sour red cabbage. I’ve been making her recipe for years—mostly on the weekends, since it takes over an hour from start to finish.

For my weeknight version, I added kielbasa to take the dish from side to main. I also cut the cooking time in half by charring thin wedges of the cabbage in butter and oil first before adding the braising liquid, a simple step that builds a ton of smoky-sweet flavor. By transferring the dish to a hot oven (versus finishing it on the stovetop), you get tender, almost silky cabbage, a richly concentrated sauce, and browned, ultra-crispy kielbasa. Whatever you do, don’t sleep on the mustard cream that you brush over the kielbasa, cabbage, and apples near the end of its roasting time—it adds an extra layer of texture, flavor, and richness (a trick that happily extends to other braises, as well).

A few notes and tips: Feel free to substitute green cabbage (regular or Savoy) for the red, as well as other types of smoked or pre-cooked sausages for the kielbasa. Fresh sausage such as bratwurst can also be used, though it may need slightly longer in the oven to cook through. Lastly, this is a great meal to prep as you cook. I’ve written the instructions that way below.
EmilyC

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1/2 medium red cabbage (about 2 1/2 pounds for the full head)
  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 tablespoonbutter
  • 1 pinchkosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 12 ouncesto 14 ounces smoked kielbasa
  • 1 large firm-crisp apple, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
  • 1/2 cupchicken or vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoonsmaple syrup
  • 1/3 cupapple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoonsDijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoonsheavy cream
  • 1 tablespoonfinely chopped dill, plus more for serving (or substitute chives or parsley)
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 400°F.
  2. Trim the cabbage of any discolored or bruised outer leaves. Cut in half, saving the other half for another use (such as a quick slaw or salad!). Slice into 1/2-inch wedges, leaving the core intact, yielding 8 to 10 wedges. It’s fine if some of the slices fall apart; use them too!
  3. In a 12- or 14-inch saute pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add cabbage wedges; they should fit snugly into the pan. Generously season the side that’s facing up with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, without disturbing, to promote even browning, then flip and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes, seasoning again with salt and pepper.
  4. Mix together chicken stock, cider vinegar, and maple syrup. Add them to the pan with the cabbage, and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, prep the kielbasa and apple. Score the kielbasa with a knife at roughly 1/2-inch intervals (without cutting all the way through) to help it crisp up in the oven. Cut the apple into 1/2-inch slices (no need to peel).
  6. Add the apples, nestling them among the cabbage, then lay the kielbasa on top. Drizzle the kielbasa with a little olive oil.
  7. Transfer to the oven. Braise, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
  8. Meanwhile, mix together mustard, cream, and dill. At the 20-minute mark, remove the pan from the oven and brush everything with the mustard cream (getting between the score marks in the kielbasa). Return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and kielbasa is nicely browned. (If you want to braise the cabbage longer, remove the kielbasa at this point so it doesn’t overcook.) Garnish with more chopped dill. Serve warm. Buttered egg noodles make a good (but totally optional) side.

Tags:

  • German
  • American
  • Pork
  • Vegetable
  • One-Pot Wonders
  • Entree
  • Dinner

Recipe by: EmilyC

I'm a home cook. I love salads. Two things you'll always find in my refrigerator are lemons and butter, and in my pantry good quality chocolate and the makings for chocolate chip cookies.

Popular on Food52

17 Reviews

Miguel E. April 15, 2023

This is an outstanding weeknight, or company night meal for fall or winter evenings. True comfort food. Simple to prepare in less than 1 hour. The key IMHO is to really sear off the purple cabbage on mod-high or high heat to give it a good caramelized char on both sides. And do not fear for lack of fresh dill or parsley. Either or both are very good, but dried dill, parsley, thyme all work.

Violet L. February 5, 2023

I can't believe that I just gave this recipe 2 stars! I just changed my rating to 5 stars, which is what I should have done in the first place.

Violet L. January 15, 2023

I first made this dish about 3-4 months back, and have prepared it 3 more times since then. On the first night, the umami flavor practically knocked my socks off! Since then the dish has been very good, but not as outstanding as the first time. I cut the core out of the cabbage the first night, and used Weisswurst sausage because I prefer it. I have continued to use the Weisswurst but have not forgotten to leave the core on the slices of cabbage. The core is not the only change I have made in the recipe, as I have also forgotten to use the dill. As this is one of the best recipes I have in my kitchen library, I will continue to try to duplicate my first effort. I serve this about once a month to my little family. Kudos, EmilyC!

ajmencke October 9, 2022

This recipe was so easy and so tasty. Probably the only small issue is some ingredients needed - like fresh dill. Easily solved with other more available herbs. I made it for guests and it was a huge hit. No modifications.

dizzylizzy October 2, 2022

Really delish Fall meal! I doubled it for a group of 6 adults and 4 kids; and did the second braise in the grill as my oven is currently out of commission and it was great. Next time I might dial back the vinegar just a smidge. I will be making it again!

AnneRufner April 6, 2021

This was excellent! My Husband is not a cabbage lover - until last night! I did not have an oven safe pan large enough (especially since I doubled recipe)... so, I used two of my largest skillets and followed the recipe through step 5. Then, I transferred the cabbage only to a 15x21 foil-lined rimmed sheet pan, added apples and kielbasa (step 6), then poured skillet liquid over all and continued for steps 7 & 8. Be sure to use the dill in the mustard sauce. May increase the braising liquid next time. Highly recommend. Thank you...

EmilyC April 6, 2021

So happy you made and liked this, Anne, and thanks for including your notes on doubling the recipe! Thanks so much for circling back.

muzac_luver_12 February 21, 2021

So tasty! I served with pierogi cooked in brown butter and sage and I had some chicken sausage links for the meat. I didn't have cream, so I used a splash of milk and a scoop of mayo to thicken the sauce it a bit. Turned out great! Definitely adding this to my rotation

Noreen F. February 7, 2021

This was the perfect recipe for a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon. My cabbage was pretty small, so I used it all plus added a red onion. Delicious served over mashed potatoes!

EmilyC February 8, 2021

Fantastic! And over mashed potatoes -- yum! Thanks, Noreen, for trying this and circling back.

kohlrabi January 19, 2021

This is my new favorite recipe for German-style cabbage. All the flavors in this dish come together so well. The only change I would make is to double the mustard cream. I used whole milk in place of cream. Kiolbassa was great but you could substitute any smoked sausage. Served this with homemade buttered egg noodles.

EmilyC January 19, 2021

Yay, so happy to hear this, kohlrabi! Doubling the mustard cream sounds like a good idea to me. : )

kohlrabi January 19, 2021

This is my new favorite recipe for German-style cabbage. All the flavors in this dish come together so well. The only change I would make is to double the mustard cream. I used whole milk in place of cream. Kiolbassa was great but you could substitute any smoked sausage.

Heather M. January 6, 2021

Made this for dinner tonight as written - fantastic! And, yes, buttered noodles are a great side for this.

EmilyC January 7, 2021

Wonderful! Thanks for your note, Heather.

Roxanne January 5, 2021

Made this without the kielbasa and it was delicious. My new fave red cabbage recipe.

EmilyC January 6, 2021

Oh good, so glad! Thanks Roxanne for your note!

Braised Red Cabbage With Kielbasa, Apple & Mustard Cream Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Can you reheat braised red cabbage? ›

Let the cooked cabbage cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container (it will keep in the freezer for 3 months). Defrost in the microwave or overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a microwave or in a saucepan on the hob.

What to serve with red cabbage? ›

Sautéed red cabbage is a versatile side dish you can serve with a variety of main dishes including pork chops, sausages (especially smoked sausages), roast pork, roast chicken, duck, lentils, beans, and chickpeas. Also, try it with a boldly flavored fish such as salmon.

Can you substitute red cabbage for green cabbage? ›

Red and green cabbage can be used interchangeably in most recipes. The difference between cooking green cabbage and red cabbage is just one extra step. The compounds that give red cabbage its color, called anthocyanins, are water-soluble and will turn an unappetizing blue color when cooked.

Can you buy braised red cabbage? ›

ASDA Braised Red Cabbage Side for Two 300g - ASDA Groceries.

Why is my braised red cabbage bitter? ›

Why is my cooked cabbage bitter? - Quora. To prevent bitterness, try not to overcook the cabbage, use fresh cabbage, choose sweeter varieties if possible, and make sure to season it adequately. Additionally, you can try blanching the cabbage briefly before cooking to help reduce bitterness.

How long is cooked red cabbage good for in the fridge? ›

Bring to the boil then simmer with a lid on over low heat for 1½ hrs, until tender. The cabbage will keep for 2 days, covered, in the fridge or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in either a pan or in the microwave.

What does cooked red cabbage do for your body? ›

Red cabbage is a nutrient-rich vegetable which has been linked to a number of health benefits including inflammation, a healthier heart, improved gut function and a lower risk of certain cancers.

How do you take the bitterness out of red cabbage? ›

I prefer to keep it simple – fresh lemon juice does the job just as well. Add a little salt and the two combine to help draw out some of the fluid and bitterness, making the cabbage slightly softer and easy one the palate.

Is it OK to eat red cabbage every day? ›

It is important to note that, while it is true that eating cabbage may support weight-management goals, this veggie should not be overconsumed, as too much cabbage can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, like bloating. It is also important to enjoy cabbage as a part of a balanced and healthy diet.

Which cabbage is healthier, red or green? ›

But red cabbage has higher levels of some types of antioxidants than other types of cabbage. These nutrients are thought to help reduce the risk of health conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

Does cooked red cabbage taste like cooked green cabbage? ›

Red cabbage is a type of cabbage that resembles its green counterpart, with the main difference coming from its brilliant reddish-purple or violet leaves. Its flavor is fairly similar to green cabbage, with some nuanced differences, and it can be enjoyed in the same ways, either raw or cooked.

What is mistaken for red cabbage? ›

While radicchio is sometimes mistaken for red cabbage or lettuce, it has a distinctively tangy or bitter taste, which can add a nice contrast and crunch to salads and other dishes. This versatile vegetable contains multiple key nutrients and has numerous health benefits, making it worth adding to your diet.

Is jarred red cabbage healthy? ›

2,3 Additionally, red cabbage also contains high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin K. 3 Together, these two nutrients assist with skin health, wound healing, blood clotting and bone health! 4,5 This pickled red cabbage packs a punch in both flavor and nutrition.

Is Napa cabbage the same as red cabbage? ›

Napa Cabbage

Its flavor is a little sweeter than green and red cabbage, and the leaves are far more tender, so it's a great choice if you're looking for something more mild.

Can you cook cabbage and then reheat it? ›

Reheating Roasted Cabbage: To reheat leftover roasted cabbage, simply place on a baking sheet in a 350 F preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through.

Can you reheat red cabbage twice? ›

There are no limits to how many times you can safely reheat leftover home-cooked meals. However, best practice is to limit the number of times you do so. More often than not, you wouldn't need to reheat one type of dish more than once.

How do you reheat braised? ›

Yes, just add water. Transfer the food to be reheated to a small saucepan or skillet, and splash in a little water. One or two ounces is sufficient for any kind of braise, which converts to about two to four tablespoons of water. Stir it up, then turn the heat on to medium or medium-low.

How long does braised cabbage last in the fridge? ›

Braise the cabbage undisturbed for 1 hour. Crack open the foil cover and carefully flip the wedges over. Reseal the dish tightly and braise in the oven for another hour or until fork-tender. At this point, you can remove the cabbage to cool and store in the fridge until you're ready to eat it (up to 4 days).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5826

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.