You're Going to Love This Sweet and Sour Side Dish (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Holidays and Seasons
  • Fall

This 4-ingredient sweet and sour red cabbage is an easy, versatile side dish that takes just 30 minutes to make.

By

Elise Bauer

You're Going to Love This Sweet and Sour Side Dish (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated May 14, 2024

66 Ratings

You're Going to Love This Sweet and Sour Side Dish (2)

In This Recipe

  • What's Special About This Recipe

  • How To Cut Red Cabbage

  • What to Serve With It

  • Storing and Reheating Leftovers

A reader emailed the other day asking if I was Austrian on account of all the sauerkraut and cabbage recipes on Simply Recipes.

My father's grandparents on both sides were from Austria and he grew up with many traditional German and Austrian dishes and a love for cooked cabbage in all forms.

A Simple Red Cabbage Recipe

This classic German red cabbage recipe is one of our favorite ways to prepare red cabbage—sautéed with butter, sprinkled with sugar and balsamic vinegar, and simmered until tender. The sugar and balsamic vinegar give the sautéed cabbage a delightful sweet and sour glaze.

When the holidays come round we take the cabbage up a notch, adding chopped apples, onions, and if we have them, roasted chestnuts. It's wonderful served alongside pork chops or a pork roast!

You're Going to Love This Sweet and Sour Side Dish (3)

How To Cut Red Cabbage

This recipe calls for half a head of thinly sliced red cabbage. The best way to prepare it is to cut the head of cabbage in half through the core, then cut one of the halves in to quarters (save the remaining half for another recipe). Then thinly slice the cabbage from the top down to the core. The core is tougher than the cabbage leaves, but if you want, you can thinly slice it as well and include it.

What To Serve With German Cabbage

Sweet and sour red cabbage is a perfect side dish for sausages, pork chops, schnitzel or German pork burgers. This braised cabbage also pairs well with roast chicken, duck, and roast beef.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftovers will keep for about 5 days in the fridge. Reheat them in the microwave or over low heat in a skillet on the stovetop. This recipe does not freeze well, and we don't recommend it.

More Red Cabbage Recipes

  • Crispy Fish Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
  • Citrusy Cabbage Salad with Cumin and Coriander
  • Classic Coleslaw
  • Easy Fish Tacos
  • Grilled Cabbage With Peanut Sauce

You're Going to Love This Sweet and Sour Side Dish (4)

Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time50 mins

Servings3to 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter

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

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Sauté the cabbage:

    Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced red cabbage and toss to coat with the butter. Sauté until slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add the sugar and vinegar, simmer:

    Sprinkle sugar over the cabbage and toss to coat evenly. Add the balsamic vinegar to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low.

    Cover and simmer until the cabbage is completely tender but not mushy. Stir often, about 30 to 45 minutes total.

    Simple Tip!

    The cooking time will depend on the age and tenderness of the cabbage you are using.

  3. Season:

    Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Gluten-Free
  • Red Cabbage
  • Easy Recipes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
119Calories
6g Fat
16g Carbs
2g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3to 4
Amount per serving
Calories119
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g8%
Saturated Fat 4g18%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 156mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%
Dietary Fiber 3g10%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 35mg173%
Calcium 49mg4%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 286mg6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

You're Going to Love This Sweet and Sour Side Dish (2024)

FAQs

What is a good side dish for sweet and sour chicken? ›

The best side dishes to serve with sweet and sour chicken are brown rice, glutinous rice, egg rolls, chicken wings, french fries, lentil salad, potato salad, gluten free bread, sauteed vegetables, broccoli, baked sweet potatoes, candied yams, prawn toast, pork dumplings, scallion pancakes, cucumber salad and crispy ...

What is a good side to go with chicken and dumplings? ›

Opt for classic sides like mashed potatoes and cornbread for maximum sauce-sopping potential. Balance out the richness with lighter vegetable sides like green beans or Brussels sprouts.

Is sweet and sour a Chinese dish? ›

Sometimes it is topped with pineapple, green pepper, carrot, or sweet pickles. Sweet and sour pork is a Chinese dish particularly popular in Westernised Cantonese cuisine and may be found worldwide.

What is sweet and sour chicken also called? ›

The origin of sweet and sour chicken was in the 18th century or even earlier from China. It spread to the United States in the early 20th century after the Chinese migrant gold miners and railroad workers turned to cookery as trades. In some countries, the dish is known as Ku lo yuk.

What do Chinese people eat with dumplings? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Asian dumplings (East Asia) are ramen, tomato and egg stir fry, fried greens, chilli miso steamed aubergine, pork belly fried rice, cucumber salad (Oi Muchim), tahini miso noodles, and claypot tofu.

What is the best way to serve dumplings? ›

Serve: Scoop the dumplings up with a spatula and place on a serving plate. Serve with soy sauce and chili paste for dipping, or rice vinegar mixed with soy sauce. Best served fresh – I get another batch cooking as we eat the freshly cooked ones!

What is considered a side dish? ›

A side dish, sometimes referred to as a side order, side item, or simply a side, is a food item that accompanies the entrée or main course at a meal.

Is chili a side dish or main dish? ›

Sure, a Dutch oven loaded with chili is certainly meal-worthy all on its own, especially when it's packed with beans, meat, or a combination, but I always think having one simple side is the ticket to rounding out dinner. Serving chili with a side dish balances the table.

How are you supposed to eat sweet and sour chicken? ›

This delicious combination is tossed with a tangy sweet and sour sauce and served over a bed of rice for a meal that is bursting with flavor.

Is sweet and sour chicken from Chinese healthy? ›

There are 1765 calories in a 1 order (706.000g) serving size of Restaurant, Chinese, sweet and sour chicken. The calorie breakdown is 46% fat, 38% carbs, and 16% protein.

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