Looking for red cabbage recipes? This wintery veg makes a great side dish for Christmas or can work brilliantly as the main event of a meal. Try our ideas including pickled red cabbage recipes, braised red cabbage recipes and many more. Also check out our collections of cabbage recipes, Brussels sprout recipes and parsnip recipes.
How to cook red cabbage
We have plenty of ideas for how to cook red cabbage for roast dinner. In winter, it is typically braised with sweet and sharp ingredients to make an earthy and moreish Christmas dinner side dish. In the summertime, red cabbage gives a delicious fresh crunch and brightens up a whole range of grilled meats and barbecue recipes with its intense colour.
What are the health benefits of red cabbage?
Packed full of antioxidants, red cabbage lends itself similarly well to Asian dishes, and sits very nicely with the acidity of lime juice and fish sauce. It can even be fermented, as the star ingredient in the pickle-of-the-moment, Korean kimchi.
Red cabbage side dishes for Christmas
Red cabbage with redcurrant jelly
This classic red cabbage recipe makes a fantastic addition to a special festive dinner. Adding redcurrant jelly and balsamic vinegar gives the cabbage a sweet and sour edge. If you want to get ahead, this can be made up to two days before and reheated on Christmas Day to save time.
Braised red cabbage recipe with apples
John Torode’s braised red cabbage side dish takes the traditional recipe up a notch by including smoked bacon and orange zest. Adding some red wine gives a boozy hit for a festive feast. Check out more festive sides here
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.
Red cabbage tabbouleh salad
Want a winter side salad for your festive dinner get togethers? We’ve ditched the bulgar wheat, but kept all the herbs that you’d find in a classic tabbouleh in this ruby red cabbage slaw. Sprinkle some sumac over the slaw before serving for a gently spiced 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 pork belly with red cabbage and apple recipe
Cooking pork belly over the Christmas season? This recipes makes a great alternative main for Christmas Day, and the easy sweet and sour red cabbage and apple makes for a simple yet flavoursome side. Check out our best pork belly recipes here
Other red cabbage dishes
Chorizo sausage tray bake with red cabbage
Need an inspiring midweek meal to serve friends or family over the Christmas period? Make our festive quince-glazed cabbage with punchy chorizo cooking sausages for an easy traybake.
Pickled red cabbage with venison carpaccio
Want an impressive Christmas Day starter? Combine paper-thin slices of venison with pickled red cabbage for a showstopping start to your festive feast.
Sausage hotpot with red cabbage and beetroot
Want an inventive red cabbage recipe to serve with your Christmas Day feast? Our braised red cabbage hotpot is a winner. Hearty, but still packed with goodness, this red cabbage recipe is simple to make and requires minimal ‘hands-on’ time.
Prawn summer rolls with red cabbage
Looking for easy Christmas canapé recipes? Check out these easy red cabbage prawn rolls with homemade cashew butter dipping sauce, a fresh and easy snack to serve at your festive dinner party. Check out our other festive canapés here
Sausages with cider-braised red cabbage
Looking for a comforting dinner for the family over the wintery months? Try our all in one wild boar bangers recipe with braised red cabbage for a hearty dinner.
Chicken burger recipe with pickled red cabbage
These chicken burgers make a great, healthier alternative to the usual beef and the pickled red cabbage on top adds the extra kick . Make our punchy chicken burgers for an easy dinner over the festive holidays.
Roasted cabbage steaks with hazelnut dressing
Looking for a showstopping red cabbage recipe? Topped with a nutty dressing these red cabbage steaks will make an impressive vegetarian main or veggie side at your Christmas Day dinner. We have plenty more veggie mains for your Christmas feast here
Red cabbage kimchi
Want an easy, edible savoury gift to give friends and family over the festive period? Make our vibrant kimchi recipe with red cabbage for a zingy stocking filler. Check out our guide to fermenting here
Rainbow coleslaw
Ready in just 20 minutes this coleslaw uses red cabbage and carrots for a speedy side dish. Natural yogurt and a tiny splash of cream add richness to this coleslaw dressing without too much fat, while raisins give natural sweetness. Make it as part of your Boxing Day buffet this Christmas.
