By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026

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Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage

Serves 4

125 cal · 50 min

Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage

Recipe GLPR25c5ed346497ae

4.0(1)
German
Side Dish
50 min
125 cal
Servings: 4
Stovetop
SNAP eligible

A classic German side dish featuring tender red cabbage braised in a balanced sweet and tangy sauce. Butter-softened cabbage is combined with brown sugar and rich balsamic vinegar to create a complex flavor profile that pairs beautifully with roasted meats or hearty grain bowls.

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 large red cabbage, sliced 1/4-inch thick

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Kosher salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

  2. Add the sliced red cabbage to the melted butter and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to soften.

  3. Sprinkle the sugar over the cabbage and stir well to combine. Let cook for 2 minutes until the sugar begins to caramelize slightly.

  4. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and stir to mix thoroughly. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid or foil. Simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is very tender and the liquid has reduced to a glossy glaze.

  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm as a side dish.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

Every ingredient is a pantry staple at any Charlotte grocer—butter, cabbage, sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper are universally stocked—so no second trip is needed. The cost per serving lands around $0.80 to $1.00 because cabbage is cheap year-round, even when out of season locally. The stated 50 minutes is honest; chopping the cabbage takes most of it, and the simmer is about 35 minutes with occasional stirring. This is a solid side dish for a weeknight family dinner that reheats well and pairs with roasted meats or German mains, though it's not a center-plate dish and won't feed a family as a standalone meal.

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