Top 10 red cabbage recipes

How to prepare red cabbage

1. Choose the best red cabbage by selecting one that feels heavy, is bright and has crisp leaves. Avoid any that have puffy leaves or outer layers removed.
2. Red cabbages are easy to prepare. Strip off the outer leaves, wash, then slice into quarters, cut out the hard central core on each, then chop or shred.
3. Lock in the colour by adding a touch of vinegar when cooking red cabbage in water. This stops the lovely deep purple hue from running.
4. Don’t be too heavy-handed with red cabbage. A lot of its frumpy reputation comes from it being over-pickled or boiled for an eon. Although it’s a sturdy vegetable it’s not invincible.
5. Go raw. Lock in nutrients by eating your cabbage uncooked in salads. Just make sure you slice it very finely.

Why is red cabbage purple?

This variety of cabbage gets its purple-reddish colour from the flavonoid anthocyanin and the acidity level of the soil where it's grown.

Top 10 red cabbage recipes

1. Pickled red cabbage

Shop-bought pickled red cabbage can sometimes be too sharp and vinegary. Our homemade version uses less abrasive cider vinegar. As it keeps for a month, it makes a nice addition to a Christmas hamper.

2. Easy red cabbage

Enjoy this easy recipe for red cabbage at Christmas, brought to life with the flavours of cinnamon and star anise. It's a great side dish at Christmas, along with all the traditional trimmings.

3. Chinese braised red cabbage

Red cabbage can handle heavy flavours. This braised side dish teams it with star anise, soy sauce and ginger. It’s a great alternative dish for the Christmas dinner table.

4. Mulled red cabbage with clementines

Enjoy all the flavours of everyone’s favourite festive tipple in this heathy side. Snuggle a clove-studded clementine into your cabbage during cooking for some real winter warmth.

5. Sautéed salted red cabbage with cranberries

Try this beautifully simple two-step sautéed red cabbage. Salt the red cabbage overnight to soften it – this way, it will only need cooking for a fraction of the time. It still retains all the flavour and texture.

6. Red cabbage with apples & star anise

Apples and red cabbage are perfect partners. This braised dish is laced with cinnamon and bay leaves, too.

7. Cider-braised cabbage wedges

Make these cider-braised cabbage wedges up to three days ahead for a stress-free Christmas dinner. The dish makes an ideal accompaniment to festive turkey.

8. Pickled red cabbage with walnuts & apple

Serve this festive pickled red cabbage with cold cuts and sausage rolls on Boxing Day and beyond. It also makes a fantastic side dish for Christmas Day.

9. Braised red cabbage

This low-fat Christmas side dish is the perfect sweet-savoury combination. Or try one of our simple twists using preserved lemon, ginger wine and bacon.

10. Red cabbage with port, prunes & orange

Flavour red cabbage with port, prunes and orange for an indulgent festive side dish that delivers two of your five-a-day. It can be made in advance and frozen for up to three months.

Is red cabbage a must for you during the festive season? How do you like to serve it? We have more suggestions in our recipe collection.