Red cabbage is best cooked low and slow, and whilst you won't get the crispy edges like you would cooking it on the hob, this is much simpler way of cooking red cabbage, as it doesn't need any attention. You just put this Slow Cooker Red Cabbage on low for 5 hours, and it's done. Perfect for Christmas Dinner when you have enough cooking to do. A sweet vegetable side dish with a hint of cinnamon.
We are all about the side dishes when it comes to the holiday season, as they are an easy way to take your big meals to the next level, and add lots of colour too. It doesn't get much easier than this Slow Cooker Red Cabbage with is the ultimate dump and leave Christmas side dish, that is also great for Thanksgiving, and goes perfectly with turkey.
A deliciously sweet side dish that has a hint of cinnamon to it (as should everything at Christmas time) and it's really easy to adapt with some extra Christmas flavours like cranberry and apple.
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Why should you try it?
- The ultimate easy Christmas Dinner side dish
- Vegan and gluten free
- Can be made ahead of time
- Budget friendly
If you are anything like us, you spend more than you should on the Christmas food shopping. This year we are trying to do it more on a budget, so we are going to be filling the table with budget friendly sides like this. You can pick up a red cabbage pretty cheap, and all the other ingredients you probably already have.
How to make
Just One Step: Put all of the ingredients in to the slow cooker, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Cook on low for 5 hours.
What else can be added?
This is a really easy to adapt recipe, and we tend to make it a different way every time. Use this as a base, and then add in extra festive ingredients, or play around with the spices to suit your own tastes.
We just used a little cinnamon, but you could use more (or less), or swap some of it for nutmeg, cloves or ginger. Something else that adds some extra flavour, and lightens it a little is a squeeze of fresh orange juice and some zest.
Bump up the nutrients and stir in some fresh (or frozen) cranberries and some finely grated apples or pears.
Choosing the perfect cabbage
When choosing a red cabbage, you want to make sure that it is quite hard and heavy, and then outer leaves still feel crisp. If it feels soft, then put it back and pick another. It should last in the fridge for about 5 days, even once cut.
Can it be made in advance?
Yes, and we do every year. We have enough cooking to do on Christmas Day, so any way we can save some time and effort, we do. We think put it in the microwave, or heat in a pan for a couple of minutes before serving up.
You could even just prepare everything the night before (which is what we like to do on Christmas Eve) and then turn the slow cooker on in the morning.
It will keep fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Can it be frozen?
If you want to make it even further in advance, or you have lots of leftovers, then put it in an air tight container and then it will keep in the fridge for up to a month. The perfect make in advance Christmas side dish. Just make sure to defrost thoroughly before reheating.
Use those frozen leftovers for any other meal you want. Red Cabbage isn't just for Christmas Dinner.
Extra tips
- This recipe will have a slight vinegar taste to it, however if you swap it for water then the cabbage will lose all of the awesome purple colour that makes it such a vibrant side dish.
- Use a food processor of a coarse grater for the cabbage.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your own tastes. You can use more or less cinnamon, and you can even add some ginger, nutmeg and cloves to make it even more festive. A little bit of orange juice and zest works well.
- Some finely grated apples or pears and a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries are a nice add in too.
- Add a splash of Red Wine for a lovely deep flavour.
- You may need to double this recipe depending on the size of your slow cooker. Remember that you should always fill your slow cooker ½-3/4 full for best results. If there isn't enough food in the slow cooker, then it can burn.
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Recipe card
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage
Ingredients
- 550 g red cabbage shredded
- 1 small onion peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp soft brown sugar
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients in to the slow cooker, season with salt and pepper and mix well.
- Cook on low for 5 hours.
Notes
- This recipe will have a slight vinegar taste to it, however if you swap it for water then the cabbage will lose all of the awesome purple colour that makes it such a vibrant side dish.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your own tastes. You can use more or less cinnamon, and you can even add some ginger, nutmeg and cloves to make it even more festive. A little bit of orange juice and zest works well.
- Some finely grated apples or pears and a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries are a nice add in too.
- Add a splash of Red Wine for a lovely deep flavour.
- You may need to double this recipe depending on the size of your slow cooker. Remember that you should always fill your slow cooker ½-3/4 full for best results. If there isn't enough food in the slow cooker, then it can burn.
Leah
Hi
Would love to make this dish but I can’t use sugar or sugar substitute. Can I just omit the sugar.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Leah
Dannii
Yes, you can just leave it out. Obviously it won't taste sweet, but that's not a problem. Enjoy :)
Jayne
I love this kind of cabbage dish - it adds so much lovely colour as well as flavour. If you have leftovers (I always seem to make too much), it also goes really well with things like shepherd's pie or Lancashire hotpot. I like the idea of putting pears in it - I've used apples before but never thought of using pears. We are going to be back in the UK next week after languishing in Turkey (lovely tomatoes and courgettes, but rubbish winter veg) for months, so can't wait for a proper roast dinner (preferably involving something porky, even if it's just bangers) - I always forget about red cabbage apart from Christmas Day, so this is going on the list. In fact, now I think about it, bangers and mash with this cabbage? Yum.
Sophie Goel
This dish is so colorful!! I'm excited to add a healthy option to Thanksgiving this year.
Jen
I took your advice and added shredded apples and pears and wow, it was amazing!
Sapana
Such a delicious and healthy side to add to my Thanksgiving menu this year!
Anita
I love how easy and how pretty this salad is. And it's so delicious too.
Emese
So this gorgeous colour is due to apple cider vinegar? I didn't know. Thanks for the tip.
Lisa
Simple side dishes like this are my favorite. And love the hint of spice! Perfect for the holidays!
Amy
Such a delicious festive side dish, love it!
Kate
This cabbage looks so perfect for the holidays, and so healthy too! Pinning for later!
Jessica
I've never made cabbage in a slow cooker before, this sounds so interesting! The flavors are perfect for Christmas :)
David
I've been using red cabbage more lately but haven't tried in the slow cooker. So thanks for this idea! Good tip on picking out the cabbage, too.
Danielle Wolter
I LOVE cooked cabbage but never thought to make it in the slow cooker. Awesome idea - I can't wait to try it!
Romina
I love this idea! I never knew you could make it in the slow cooker. Thanks for sharing!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
This sounds like the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas! I love red cabbage!
Whitney
Wow I love this idea!!! I have never thought to try this in the crock pot but this will be perfect for Christmas day!
SHANIKA
Red Cabbage is a great veggie as a side dish! I always love a good Slow Cooker recipe, so this is perfect!
Gloria
I still think the slow cooker was the best invention ever. This is a great recipe and the perfect side dish for comfort food season. I am Ukrainian and a cabbage lover for sure.
Natalie
What a lovely dinner side dish option. I will definitely make this. Love red cabbage. It's so healthy.
Pam Greer
This is the only way we make cabbage now! So easy! Sometimes we add apples, and it's so good!