Sweet and Sour Braised Red Cabbage Recipe

This braised red cabbage side is delicious and so simple to make.  It goes great with all sorts of German or Pennsylvania Dutch meals.  Pork chops, bratwurst, kielbasa, but also roast chicken, chicken fried steak, just about anything.

I like to add star anise to my red cabbage.  You can also use caraway seeds, fennel seeds, or omit them entirely.  You can also adjust the sweet and sour flavors to suit your preferences.  I like mine to be a bit more sour than sweet.




For this recipe I used:
1 medium red cabbage, quartered, cored and sliced into 1/4 inch ribbons
1 large yellow onion, sliced into 1/4 inch rings or half moons
1 large tart apple, peeled, cored, and sliced
6 TBSP apple cider vinegar or to taste
3-4 TBSP sugar or to taste
1/2 - 1 star anise pod (optional)
1-2 TBSP canola oil
salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, heat the canola oil.  Add the onions, salt and pepper and fry for 2-3 minutes.  Add the cabbage and fry for about 5 minutes.  Deglaze the pan with about a cup of water.  Add the apples, vinegar, sugar, star anise.  Stir to combine, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the cabbage is as tender as you like it.