Traditional German Red Cabbage (Rotkohl)

Peppery bacon, tart apples, and sweet, warm spices are tossed with thinly sliced red cabbage and braised to perfection. Best German Red Cabbage ever! 

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Some years ago, Mr B and I had the pleasure of sharing an Oktoberfest feast with some old friends, Eric and Lurissa. They treated us to a scrumptious dinner of sauerbraten, spaetzle, smoked bratwurst, sauerkraut, rotkohl, and apple strudel. (I did contribute a pot of Hot German Potato Salad to round out the meal, just in case someone was feeling like they needed more carbs.)

Every bite of our dinner was delicious, but it was the sweet and sour German red cabbage, or rotkohl (rhymes with "ricebowl"), that really got my attention. Each mouthful was a symphony of smokey, sweetly-spiced notes, with just a hint of sour for balance. No question about it - it was the best german red cabbage ever!

Needless to say, I asked for the recipe immediately, which Eric generously shared, along with the story behind it. As it turns out, Eric's rotkohl recipe is an old Prussian one, passed down from his GrandPa, George Lorenz, whose family immigrated to the United States from Breslau, Prussia (now Wroclaw, Poland), making this recipe a genuine family heirloom!

This post may contain affiliate links, but don't worry - they won't bite.

Sweet and sour red cabbage makes a perfect side dish for all kinds of Bavarian, German, Prussian foods. We especially enjoy it with sauerbraten, schnitzel, and bratwurst; and it is a staple as part of our annual Oktoberfest celebration. 

This simple German red cabbage recipe is easy to make, and is even better the day after. This makes it perfect for holidays, when prepping a dish two or three days ahead of time can be a lifesaver!

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Recipe Updated September 30, 2021 (Originally published October 10, 2014)

How to Make German Red Cabbage with Apples & Bacon

Gather and prep ingredients. 

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Cabbage - To slice the red cabbage, first discard the tough outer leaves, and then cut the head in half through the core. Remove the core and then cut it into quarters, and then thinly slice the cabbage using a large, sharp knife or a mandolin. 

Can I use green cabbage for this recipe? 

You can use green cabbage; however, you will sacrifice the beautiful purple hues of traditional German rotkohl (literally, "red cabbage"). 

Bacon - Peppered bacon is optimal for this recipe; however, you can use any bacon for it. If you use a regular, unpeppered bacon, add a little extra freshly ground pepper when you add the brown sugar and spices.  

Apples - Granny Smiths, Jonagolds, Braeburns, and Honeycrisps are all good choices. (We most often use Granny Smiths.)

Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. We like the apple pieces to be big enough that they hold up to the braising process. 

Onions - In keeping with the color scheme, red onions are the best choice for this recipe; however, yellow or sweet onions will but work. 

One-pot German Red Cabbage Prep

In a large enameled Dutch oven (or other large, heavy bottom pot), sauté bacon until limp and slightly browned, but not crisp.

Add onion and apple slices and toss with bacon and drippings. Sauté for one minute.

Add thinly sliced cabbage and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Use tongs to gently toss everything together. 

Cover and simmer until the cabbage begins to wilt, tossing frequently.

Add apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and remaining spices.

Continue simmering, covered for ½ hour to 45 minutes. Use tongs to toss and fold mixture every 10 minutes.

The rotkohl is done when it is soft but not mushy. It should still look like cooked cabbage, and have just a bit of a bite. 

Taste and adjust spices before serving.

We always make this German Red Cabbage recipe at least a day before we plan to serve it, because it is always even better the next day. (It can be made up to four days ahead of time!)

How to Store and Reheating Leftover Rotkohl

Store leftovers in a non-reactive container (i.e., glass, plastic, stainless, etc.). 

Leftovers will keep for at least 5 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop. We do not recommend freezing this dish. 

What is the difference between Blaukraut and Rotkohl?

I had originally been taught to call this Blaukraut. "Rotkohl" and "Blaukraut"are often used synonymously, but they are really two different dishes, as I learned while researching this post. Rotkohl always has among its ingredients an acid, which keeps the cabbage red. Recipes for Blaukraut do not include an acid, which results in a much bluer end product. [Science!] 

Like Hot German Potato Salad, Rotkohl may be served hot or cold and is even better the next day.

When I said "old friends," I meant it! This is Lurissa and me in the 1st grade. Eric didn't come to our school for another six years, and it was three years after that before I met Mr. B.

P.S. Sure, I could have cropped this image shorter, but I love my go-go boots way too much to cut them out of the picture! (Some things never change.)

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Image Update: September 30, 2021