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Rødkål

Red Cabbage, Braised Red Cabbage

Denmark

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Recipe Snapshot

The essentials, at a glance

Rødkål is a traditional Danish side dish of braised red cabbage simmered with apples and sweet-tart seasonings. The slow cooking softens the cabbage while creating a deep burgundy sauce balanced by fruit and vinegar. It is a staple accompaniment to roast meats and festive meals across Scandinavia.

Nordic Side Dish
Dairy-FreeGluten-FreeVegan-optionVegetarian-option
Difficulty

Easy

Servings

4

Prep Time

15 mins

Make Time

45 mins

Calories

200 / serving

Diet

Non-Veg

Protein 3.0g
Fat 4.0g
Carbs 42.0g

Above values do not change with any serving size changes you make below

May not be suitable if you suffer with:
Acid Reflux
IBS
Diabetes
Indigestion
Cook Along

The Cooking Breakdown

Follow each phase with a cleaner flow from ingredient prep to final plating.

Track cooking progress forRødkål

1
2
3
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5
STEP 1

Cut the cabbage thinly

Ingredients

Servings: 4
450 g / 1 lb , shredded
300 g / 10 oz (2 medium), peeled, cored and grated
15 g / 1 tbsp (or or )
60 ml / 4 tbsp
480 ml / 2 cups (or )
25 g / 2 tbsp
5 g / 1 tsp
Ingredients at a glance
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Instructions

Main
Step 1 instruction thumbnail 1

Cut the cabbage thinly

Step 2 instruction thumbnail 2

Peel the apples and remove the cores and stems. Grate the apples

Step 3 instruction thumbnail 3

Sauté the cabbage and apple in the fat for a few minutes. Add vinegar, red currant juice, and sugar. Season with salt

Step 4 instruction thumbnail 4

Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir in the cabbage occasionally during cooking

Step 5 instruction thumbnail 5

Taste and adjust with salt and sugar if necessary

Other considerations for this recipe

Fat variations
Rødkål is often prepared with butter, but duck fat is often used and gives it a great unique flavor. Oil can be used to make it a vegan side dish.
Apple addition
Although it is often made just with cabbage, another common ingredient is apple. It is then logically called rødkål med abler. Sliced or grated, apples give more sweetness and texture to the Scandinavian side dish.
Storage
The taste is even better the day after cooking, and it can be stored for about a week in the refrigerator. It can also be stored for 3 to 4 months in a sterilized jar in a cold place. Once the jar is open, it should be eaten in a couple weeks.
Serving suggestions
Rødkål is a quick and easy side dish that can be eaten cold or warm and that gives color to meaty dinners.

Nutritional Benefits

Red cabbage provides anthocyanins and vitamin C.

Apples contribute dietary fibre and natural sweetness.

The dish is naturally low in sodium and offers a moderate calorie profile when prepared with minimal fat.

Nutritional information is provided as a general guide only. Values may vary and should not replace professional medical or dietary advice.

Crimson Comfort: Rødkål

Rødkål
Yum User
Yum User

Slow simmering transforms raw red cabbage into a silky, jewel-toned condiment that anchors any Nordic feast. As the shredded leaves collapse into the pot with grated apple and a splash of vinegar, the kitchen fills with a sweet-sour aroma that promises depth.

The magic lies in the balance: tart red currant juice (or apple juice) mellows the cabbage's natural bite, while duck fat lends a subtle richness that butter cannot quite replicate. A gentle sauté followed by forty-five minutes under a lid allows the sugars to caramelise slowly without losing the vegetable's structural integrity.

Serving Suggestions

Traditionally served alongside roast pork or duck, this dish shines equally when chilled as a vibrant salad topping. The flavours deepen overnight, making it an ideal make-ahead companion for busy weeknight dinners.

Store leftovers in a sterilised jar for up to four months, or simply refrigerate for a week of colourful, tangy accompaniments to cold cuts and open sandwiches.

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