Festive Crock Pot Spiced Red Cabbage with Apples and Pears
Embrace the holiday spirit with this enchanting Crock Pot recipe for Spiced Red Cabbage featuring the natural sweetness of apples or pears. This dish is not only a feast for the senses with its stunning ruby-red hue and irresistible spiced aroma wafting throughout your kitchen, but it also makes an excellent accompaniment to festive mains like turkey, pork, beef, and ham. Finely shredded red cabbage becomes luxuriously tender as it melds with fragrant spices and juicy fruits, creating a delightful complexity of flavors that epitomizes the comfort of the season. Versatile and easy to prepare, this colorful dish can be kept warm, reheated for later enjoyment, or even frozen, making it a perfect candidate for holiday meal prepping. Who needs expensive potpourri when you can fill your home with such a heartwarming scent?
8-10
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Red cabbage
2 lbs (Shredded finely)
Onions
4 large (Peeled and finely diced)
Apples or pears
4 large (Not peeled, finely diced)
Garlic cloves
4 (Peeled and finely minced)
Soft brown sugar
4 tablespoons (N/A)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Salt and pepper
To taste (N/A)
Red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (N/A)
Butter
1 ounce (N/A)
Instructions
1
Begin by discarding any tough outer leaves from the red cabbage. Cut the cabbage into quarters and remove the central woody core. Shred the quarters finely and place them into a large bowl.
2
Quarter the apples or pears, core them, and dice them finely, placing them in a separate bowl.
3
Finely dice the peeled onions and keep them in another bowl. Also, measure out all other ingredients and keep them close at hand for easy access.
4
If you're using a conventional Dutch oven or a Le Creuset casserole, preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F). Alternatively, you can cook this dish on the stovetop.
5
For crockpot cooking, remove the inner pot and start layering your ingredients. Begin with a generous layer of red cabbage, lightly sprinkling salt and pepper over it. Next, add a layer of the diced apples or pears, followed by the diced onions, minced garlic, and then the spices and brown sugar. Continue layering until all ingredients are used.
6
If you prefer a spicier kick, you can adjust the spice levels slightly, but be cautious not to exceed one additional teaspoon of each spice to preserve the delicate balance of flavors from the cabbage and fruits.
7
Dot the top of the layered mixture with butter and drizzle the red wine vinegar over it. Finish by seasoning with a final sprinkle of salt and pepper.
8
Cover and cook on the High setting in your crockpot for 6 to 12 hours, or until everything is tender and has developed a rich, deep red color. For conventional cooking, allow it to simmer in the oven for about 2 to 2.5 hours.
9
If preparing on the stovetop, cook on low heat, maintaining a gentle simmer for approximately 2 to 3 hours. The cabbage should be soft and fragrant.
10
For added festivity, consider tossing in a handful of cranberries for extra color and flavor!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Festive Crock Pot Spiced Red Cabbage?
It is a holiday-inspired side dish made by slow-cooking shredded red cabbage with apples or pears, onions, and aromatic spices until tender and flavorful.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 to 10 servings.
How long does it take to cook in a crockpot?
Cook on the High setting for 6 to 12 hours until the cabbage is tender and deep red.
Can I cook this in an oven instead?
Yes, you can cook it in a Dutch oven or casserole dish at 180°C (360°F) for about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Is there a stovetop cooking method?
Yes, maintain a gentle simmer on low heat for approximately 2 to 3 hours.
How should I prepare the red cabbage?
Discard tough outer leaves, quarter the cabbage, remove the woody core, and shred the quarters finely.
Do I need to peel the apples or pears?
No, the recipe suggests leaving them unpeeled, but they should be quartered, cored, and finely diced.
What spices are used in this dish?
The recipe uses cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves, each in 1/2 teaspoon measurements.
Can I make the dish spicier?
Yes, you can increase the spice levels, but do not exceed one additional teaspoon of each spice to maintain balance.
How should ingredients be layered in the crockpot?
Layer red cabbage with salt and pepper first, followed by fruit, onions, garlic, spices, and brown sugar. Repeat layers until finished.
What kind of vinegar is recommended?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
What type of sugar is best for this recipe?
Use 4 tablespoons of soft brown sugar for the best flavor profile.
How much butter is needed?
Dot the top of the layered mixture with 1 ounce of butter.
What main dishes pair well with spiced red cabbage?
It is an excellent accompaniment to turkey, pork, beef, and ham.
Can I add other fruits to the recipe?
Yes, tossing in a handful of cranberries can add extra festive color and flavor.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely; it can be made ahead of time, kept warm, or reheated later.
Can I freeze the cooked red cabbage?
Yes, this dish is freezer-friendly, making it great for holiday planning.
How many onions are required?
The recipe requires 4 large onions, peeled and finely diced.
How much garlic is used?
Use 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely minced.
What is the final texture of the cabbage?
The cabbage becomes luxuriously tender as it melds with the fruit and spices.
What color should the cabbage be when finished?
It should develop a rich, stunning ruby-red or deep red hue.
Does the dish have a strong aroma?
Yes, it fills the home with a heartwarming, spiced scent comparable to festive potpourri.
How much cabbage is used in total?
The recipe uses 2 lbs of red cabbage.
How many apples or pears are needed?
You will need 4 large apples or pears.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, the combination of warm spices and tender cabbage epitomizes seasonal comfort food.
When should I add the salt and pepper?
Sprinkle salt and pepper over the cabbage layers and add a final sprinkle on top before cooking.
Can I use a Le Creuset casserole for this?
Yes, a Le Creuset or any conventional Dutch oven works well for the oven method.
What is the cooking temperature for the stovetop?
The stovetop method requires low heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
Why is the core removed from the cabbage?
The central core is woody and tough, so removing it ensures a uniform, tender texture.
Is the garlic flavor overwhelming?
No, the 4 cloves are balanced by the sweetness of the sugar and fruit and the acidity of the vinegar.