The Health Benefits of Red Cabbage

Red cabbage, also known as purple cabbage, is a cruciferous vegetable that’s delicious both raw and cooked.  Think coleslaw in the summer and braised cabbage in the winter.

Rich in Vitamins K, A and C; red cabbage is a powerful immunity booster that has also been said to fight inflammation and arthritis.

And the color! Did you know that antioxidants are concentrated in brightly colored foods?  So the bright, beautiful magenta color of your red cabbage is also fighting free radicals in your body.

red cabbaged that has been braised with onions and served with parsley and goat cheese

How To Prepare Braised Red Cabbage

Red cabbage is very easy to work with. 

Start by rinsing under cold water.  Next remove any outer leaves that look bruised or torn.  Then, trim the stem off of the cabbage, stand it up straight and cut in half.

Next, use a sharp knife to cut down on an angle on each side of the core.  The core is tough and will pop right out.

Finally lay your cabbage flat side down and cut into thin ribbons.  Easy peasy!

sliced red cabbage in a bowl

How to Cook Braised Red Cabbage

The secret to cooking tender braised red cabbage, is to cook it low and slow.

  • Melt one tablespoon of butter in a cast iron skillet
  • Add onions and a pinch of salt and saute for 6-8 minutes
  • Toss in apples and garlic, season with  salt and pepper, stir and cook for 2 minutes
  • Next, add in the red cabbage, balsamic vinegar, honey and a splash of water
  • Slowly simmer the cabbage for 30 minutes, stirring every so often.
  • Turn off the heat, adjust seasonings and top with goat cheese and fresh parsely to a serving dish and top with dollops of goat cheese and fresh chopped parsley.  Enjoy!
  • Serve and enjoy!

What To Serve with Braised Red Cabbage

I love serving braised red cabbage with savory dishes roasted chicken and mashed potatoes.  It’s also delicious along side baked salmon or cast iron chicken thighs.