Rotkohl (Braised Red Cabbage with Bacon)

Name: Braised Red Cabbage with Bacon
Prep time: PT0D0H0M
Cook time: PT0D1H50M
Total time: PT0D1H50M
Yield: 6–8
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 6 slices bacon, coarsely chopped; 1 Tbsp. sugar; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped; ⅓ cup Port wine; ¼ cup red wine vinegar; 1 large head red cabbage (about 3 lb.), cored and thinly sliced; 2 cups chicken stock; ¼ cup red currant jelly

Alongside game meats and pot roasts, this sweet-tart German side dish shines.

Serves
6–8
Time
1 hour 50 minutes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING BY JESSIE YUCHEN

By SAVEUR Editors

Updated on September 16, 2023

Ursula Heinzelmann, author of our December 2007 feature story, "A Night in Berlin," prepared this sweet-tart side dish as part of a holiday feast among family and friends. Rotkohl is a traditional accompaniment to venison, but it shines brightly alongside any hearty fall or winter braise. The secret to preserving the red cabbage’s deep purple hue is in keeping the pot covered while it cooks.

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Ingredients

6 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
⅓ cup Port wine
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 large head red cabbage (about 3 lb.), cored and thinly sliced
2 cups chicken stock
¼ cup red currant jelly

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Instructions

Step 1

To a large, wide pot, add the bacon, set over medium high-heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is just beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the sugar and continue cooking, stirring continuously, until the sugar has liquified, about 30 seconds. Stir in the onions, season lightly with salt and black pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden and soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the apple, turn the heat down to medium-low, cover, and cook until the apple is tender, 6–8 minutes.

Step 2

Uncover the pot, stir in the Port, vinegar, and cabbage, then cover and cook until the cabbage is bright purple and slightly wilted, 5–7 minutes. Stir in the stock, season lightly with salt and black pepper, then turn the heat up to medium-high. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down to simmer, cover, and cook until the cabbage is tender but still bright purple, about 1¼ hours.

Step 3

Uncover the pot, stir in red currant jelly, and season to taste with more salt and black pepper. Continue cooking until the jelly is fully melted and the cooking juices are glossy, 4–5 minutes more. Remove from heat and serve hot.

To a large, wide pot, add the bacon, set over medium high-heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is just beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the sugar and continue cooking, stirring continuously, until the sugar has liquified, about 30 seconds. Stir in the onions, season lightly with salt and black pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden and soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the apple, turn the heat down to medium-low, cover, and cook until the apple is tender, 6–8 minutes.
Uncover the pot, stir in the Port, vinegar, and cabbage, then cover and cook until the cabbage is bright purple and slightly wilted, 5–7 minutes. Stir in the stock, season lightly with salt and black pepper, then turn the heat up to medium-high. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down to simmer, cover, and cook until the cabbage is tender but still bright purple, about 1¼ hours.
Uncover the pot, stir in red currant jelly, and season to taste with more salt and black pepper. Continue cooking until the jelly is fully melted and the cooking juices are glossy, 4–5 minutes more. Remove from heat and serve hot.