Tangy, smoky, and a little sweet, this German Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon is a classic side dish that works for weeknight meals or holiday feasts.
In a large Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, until it’s crisp and the fat has rendered. Transfer the bacon to a plate and keep the drippings in the pot.
Add the onions and cook, stirring now and then, for about 5 minutes or until they’ve softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Toss in the shredded cabbage, stirring to coat it well with the onion mixture. Add the water or broth then cover and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender.
Stir in the vinegar and brown sugar, cooking uncovered for another 5 minutes so the flavors come together.
Return the bacon to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and give it a final stir.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
Double the batch if you have a large pot. The cabbage will shrink down a lot as it cooks.
Taste at the end and adjust. More sugar makes it sweeter, more vinegar sharpens the tang.
If it starts to look dry, add a splash of water.
It reheats beautifully and is even better the next day, so don’t hesitate to make it ahead.
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
Keyword German side dish, German Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon