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Try this recipe for classic red cabbage, then check out our best red cabbage recipes plus our honey roasted parsnips, brussels sprouts recipes, pigs in blankets and more Christmas trimmings recipes.

Recipe tip: If you want to get ahead, this can be made up to two days before and reheated on the day to save time

Ingredients

  • olive oil
  • butter
  • 2 grated red onions
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • grated to make 2 tbsp ginger
  • 1 red cabbage, tough stalk discarded and finely sliced
  • 1 cooking apple, peeled, cored and grated
  • 100ml balsamic vinegar
  • 1 stick cinnamon, snapped in 2
  • 2 star anise
  • 1/2 tsp mixed spice
  • 4 tbsp redcurrant jelly

Method

  • STEP 1

    Heat 2 tbsp oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large casserole. Fry the onion, garlic, and ginger for 5 minutes until soft, then add the cabbage, apple and vinegar, and mix well.

  • STEP 2

    Add the spices, redcurrant jelly and mix again until the jelly melts into the sauce. Season well, cover with a lid and simmer for 1 hour – 1½ hours on a low heat, stirring every so often until the cabbage is tender and looks glossy. This can be made up to 2 days before, chilled and reheated on a low heat to serve.

Try these three twists on classic red cabbage:

Braised red cabbage

John Torode’s braised red cabbage side dish is spruced up with apples, smoked bacon, cinnamon and orange zest, and given a boozy red wine hit for a festive feast

Braised red cabbage and apples in a rectangular dish

Pickled red cabbage

Need an easy vegan side for your Christmas dinner? This fresh, no-fuss red cabbage side dish benefits from not needing any braising. The use of bird's eye chillies and ginger brings an Asian flavour. What's more, it has only 50 calories per serving making it a healthy Christmas side dish.

Asian Pickled red cabbage recipe

Slow cooker red cabbage

This slow cooked red cabbage and apple dish spiced with cinnamon is so delicious it will outshine even the tastiest of roasts. Just 20 minutes of preparation is required from you to make this gloriously sticky side.

Slow Cooked Red Cabbage Recipe

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