Red Cabbage And Apple In Slow Cooker

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.

Slow Cooker Red Cabbage in a bowl next to some shredded turkey and a plate of roast vegetables

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.

Jump to:

Why should you try it?
How to make
What else can be added?
Choosing the perfect cabbage
Can it be made in advance?
Can it be frozen?
Extra tips
More slow cooker recipes
Recipe

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.

A crock pot bowl containing shredded red cabbage and sliced onion

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.

Two cinnamon sticks on top of a big bowl of braised red cabbage

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.

Cooked red cabbage in a large patterned bowl with cinnamon sticks on top

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.

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.

More slow cooker recipes

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
The BEST Slow Cooker Beef Casserole
Slow Cooker Bolognese

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Recipe

A bowl of slow cooker red cabbage topped with two crossed cinnamon sticks

▢ 550 g red cabbage shredded
▢ 1 small onion peeled and thinly sliced
▢ 2 tablespoon soft brown sugar
▢ 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
▢ 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Put all of the ingredients in to the slow cooker, season with salt and pepper and mix well.
Cook on low for 5 hours.

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.

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.