James Martin Christmas Red Cabbage
James Martin’s Christmas Red Cabbage is a slow-cooked, spiced cabbage dish made with apples, onions, vinegar, and sugar. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy dish that’s perfect for the holiday season.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 90
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large red cabbage (about 1kg), finely shredded
- 2 medium onions, finely sliced
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 50g butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: 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.
- Sauté the Onions and Apples: Add the sliced onions and chopped apples to the pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Cabbage and Spices: Stir in the shredded red cabbage, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, 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 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. If the cabbage starts to dry out, 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. Serve hot as a side dish for your Christmas meal.