The Hairy Bikers’ Red Cabbage is a delicious, tangy, and slightly sweet side dish that pairs beautifully with roasted meats, especially during the holiday season. This braised red cabbage is slow-cooked with apples, onions, and spices, creating a flavorful and vibrant dish that adds color and taste to any meal.
What is Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage?
Hairy Bikers’ Red Cabbage is a slow-cooked side dish made with shredded red cabbage, onions, and apples. It’s flavored with spices, sugar, and vinegar, which give it a balance of sweet and tangy flavors. This dish is perfect for holiday meals, such as Christmas dinner, or served alongside roast pork or beef.
Other Popular Recipes
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Perfect for Holiday Meals: A great side dish for roast dinners, especially during the holidays.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and a slow-cooking process make this dish easy to prepare.
- Sweet and Tangy: The combination of apples, vinegar, and sugar creates a perfect balance of flavors.
- Great for Leftovers: Red cabbage tastes even better the next day and can be easily reheated.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This dish can be made in advance and stored, making it ideal for busy days.
Ingredients Needed to Make Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage
- 1 large red cabbage (about 1kg), finely shredded
- 2 medium onions, finely sliced
- 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 50g butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions to Make Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage
- Prepare the Cabbage: Finely shred the red cabbage, slice the onions, and chop the apples. Set them aside.
- Melt the Butter: In a large casserole dish or heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the Onions and Apples: Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions and chopped apples to the pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Cabbage and Seasonings: Stir in the shredded red cabbage, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together to coat the cabbage in the butter and spices.
- Cover and Cook Slowly: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and allow the cabbage to cook slowly for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. If the cabbage starts to dry out, you can add a splash of water or more vinegar.
- Check the Flavor and Serve: Once the cabbage is tender and fully cooked, check the seasoning. Adjust with more salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Remove the cinnamon stick, cloves, and bay leaf before serving.
What Goes Well With Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage
- Roast Pork: The sweet and tangy cabbage pairs beautifully with roast pork.
- Duck or Goose: A classic side dish for Christmas dinner, especially when served with roasted duck or goose.
- Beef: Serve alongside a roast beef dinner for a flavorful contrast.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes make a comforting side to complement the tangy cabbage.
- Cranberry Sauce: The tartness of cranberry sauce works well with the sweet and tangy flavors of the cabbage.
- Gravy: A rich gravy adds extra flavor and moisture to the dish, tying the meal together.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage
- Use a Heavy-Bottomed Pan: This ensures even cooking and prevents the cabbage from burning on the bottom.
- Low and Slow Cooking: The longer and slower you cook the cabbage, the more the flavors will meld together.
- Add More Fruit: If you like a sweeter dish, add more apples or try mixing in some raisins or dried cranberries.
- Adjust the Vinegar: Taste the cabbage halfway through cooking and add more vinegar if you prefer a sharper flavor.
- Make it Ahead: Red cabbage tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it ahead of time and reheat before serving.
Easy Variations of Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage
- Spiced Red Cabbage: Add a pinch of ground allspice or nutmeg for extra warmth.
- Red Cabbage with Bacon: Fry some bacon lardons and add them to the cabbage for extra smokiness and richness.
- Vegan Version: Swap the butter for olive oil or a plant-based alternative to make the dish vegan.
- Honey-Glazed Cabbage: Replace the brown sugar with honey for a more natural sweetness and a sticky glaze.
- Orange-Flavored Red Cabbage: Add the zest and juice of one orange for a citrusy twist.
Best Practices to Store Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage
- Refrigerate: Store leftover red cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Red cabbage can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely before freezing in a freezer-safe container.
- Reheat Gently: Reheat in a pan over low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water if needed.
Best Practices to Reheat Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage
- Stovetop Reheating: Reheat the cabbage in a large pan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Microwave Reheating: For quicker reheating, microwave the cabbage in a microwave-safe dish on medium power, stirring halfway through.
How Can I Make Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage Healthier?
- Reduce the Sugar: Use less brown sugar or replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- Use Olive Oil: Swap the butter for olive oil for a heart-healthier option.
- Add More Vegetables: Mix in other vegetables like carrots or parsnips for added nutrients.
- Use Apple Cider Vinegar: Opt for apple cider vinegar, which has additional health benefits compared to regular vinegar.
Nutrition Value (per serving):
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 10g
FAQs
Can I make red cabbage ahead of time?
Yes, red cabbage can be made ahead of time. In fact, it often tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
Can I freeze cooked red cabbage?
Yes, cooked red cabbage freezes well. Once cooled, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
What do I serve with braised red cabbage?
Braised red cabbage pairs perfectly with roast meats like pork, beef, duck, or turkey. It’s also great with mashed potatoes, gravy, and other holiday sides.
How do I stop red cabbage from turning blue?
To prevent red cabbage from turning blue, ensure you add an acidic ingredient such as vinegar or lemon juice during cooking. The acid helps maintain the vibrant red color of the cabbage.
Final Words
This Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage Recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that will add color and flavor to your meal.
More By British Baking Recipes
- Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage
- Mary Berry Carrot And Parsnip Soup
- James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese
- Jamie Oliver Christmas Red Cabbage
- Delia Braised Red Cabbage
Hairy Bikers Red Cabbage Recipe
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 90
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: British
Description
Hairy Bikers’ Red Cabbage is a slow-cooked side dish made with shredded red cabbage, onions, and apples. It’s flavored with spices, sugar, and vinegar, which give it a balance of sweet and tangy flavors. This dish is perfect for holiday meals, such as Christmas dinner, or served alongside roast pork or beef.
Ingredients
- 1 large red cabbage (about 1kg), finely shredded
- 2 medium onions, finely sliced
- 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 50g butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Finely shred the red cabbage, slice the onions, and chop the apples. Set them aside.
- Melt the Butter: In a large casserole dish or heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the Onions and Apples: Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions and chopped apples to the pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Cabbage and Seasonings: Stir in the shredded red cabbage, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together to coat the cabbage in the butter and spices.
- Cover and Cook Slowly: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and allow the cabbage to cook slowly for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. If the cabbage starts to dry out, you can add a splash of water or more vinegar.
- Check the Flavor and Serve: Once the cabbage is tender and fully cooked, check the seasoning. Adjust with more salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Remove the cinnamon stick, cloves, and bay leaf before serving.
