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Braised Red Cabbage with Apples and Bacon

braised red cabbage with apples and bacon - featured image
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A comforting and flavorful side dish combining tender braised red cabbage with tart apples and smoky bacon, perfect for family dinners or holiday meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium head red cabbage (about 1.5 to 2 pounds), thinly sliced
  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (preferably Granny Smith or Braeburn)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth (240 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of ground cloves or caraway seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients: thinly slice the red cabbage, peel, core, and slice the apples into thin wedges, chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces, slice the onion thinly, and mince the garlic.
  2. Heat a Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy and browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add the sliced onion to the bacon fat and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the sliced cabbage and apples to the pot, stirring to coat them in the bacon fat and onion mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage starts to wilt slightly.
  5. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the cabbage and apples, then add the apple cider vinegar. Pour in the broth and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, and add a pinch of ground cloves or caraway seeds if using.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let simmer gently for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the cabbage is tender but still holds some texture and the apples are soft but not mushy.
  7. Remove the lid and stir in the butter until melted for a silky finish. Fold the crispy bacon back into the cabbage mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Serve warm as a side dish.

Notes

If the cabbage dries out during braising, add a splash more broth or water. Use thick-cut bacon for better flavor and texture. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke. The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: braised red cabbage, apples, bacon, side dish, holiday recipe, comfort food, easy recipe

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/braised-red-cabbage-with-apples-and-bacon-recipe-easy-perfect-sidedish/