Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage is a delicious and festive side dish that brings a sweet and tangy flavor to your holiday table. Slow-cooked with spices, apples, and vinegar, this vibrant dish pairs beautifully with roast meats, making it a perfect addition to your Christmas feast. It’s easy to make, and the result is a tender, flavor-packed cabbage that will impress your guests.
What is Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage?
Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage is a classic winter side dish, slow-cooked with seasonal flavors like apples, onions, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. The addition of balsamic vinegar gives the cabbage a lovely balance of sweet and tangy, while the slow cooking process ensures it is tender and full of flavor. This dish is ideal for Christmas and other holiday meals, adding both color and taste to the table.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Perfect holiday side dish: It’s an excellent complement to roasted meats and festive meals.
- Vibrant and flavorful: The combination of red cabbage, apples, and spices creates a colorful and tasty side.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare this dish in advance and reheat it, making it perfect for a busy holiday schedule.
- Versatile: Pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or roast beef.
- Nutrient-packed: Red cabbage is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making this a healthy addition to your Christmas spread.
Ingredients Needed to Make Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage
- Red cabbage: 1 large head, finely sliced
- Red onions: 2, finely sliced
- Apples: 2, peeled, cored, and sliced
- Balsamic vinegar: 4 tablespoons
- Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Cinnamon stick: 1
- Cloves: 4-5 whole
- Butter: 50g
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Salt and pepper: To taste
Equipment
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or casserole dish
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
Instructions to Make Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Slice the cabbage: Finely slice the red cabbage and place it in a large bowl.
- Chop the onions and apples: Peel and slice the red onions and apples, keeping them separate from the cabbage.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions
- Heat the butter and oil: In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook the onions: Add the sliced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften and become translucent.
Step 3: Add the Cabbage and Apples
- Combine the ingredients: Add the sliced red cabbage and apples to the pot, stirring them together with the onions.
- Season: Sprinkle the mixture with brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Add the cinnamon stick and cloves.
Step 4: Add the Balsamic Vinegar
- Pour in the balsamic vinegar: Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the cabbage mixture and stir everything together to combine the flavors.
Step 5: Cook Slowly
- Cover and simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the cabbage cook slowly for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure the cabbage cooks evenly.
- Check for tenderness: The cabbage should be soft and tender, and the flavors well combined by the end of the cooking time.
Step 6: Serve
- Remove the cinnamon and cloves: Before serving, remove the cinnamon stick and whole cloves.
- Serve hot: Transfer the red cabbage to a serving dish and serve hot alongside your Christmas roast.
What Goes Well With Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage?
- Roast turkey: The sweet and tangy cabbage complements the savory flavor of roast turkey.
- Honey-glazed ham: The acidity of the cabbage balances the sweetness of glazed ham.
- Roast beef: A rich beef roast pairs perfectly with this spiced cabbage.
- Mashed potatoes: Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting holiday meal.
- Stuffing: The spices in the cabbage make it a great match for traditional stuffing.
- Brussels sprouts: Pair with roasted Brussels sprouts for a full array of festive vegetables.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Christmas Red Cabbage
- Cook low and slow: Cooking the cabbage slowly ensures it becomes tender and absorbs all the flavors of the spices and vinegar.
- Use good-quality vinegar: High-quality balsamic vinegar enhances the flavor of the dish, adding a depth of sweetness and tanginess.
- Make ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day, so you can make it a day in advance and simply reheat it before serving.
- Remove the cloves: Don’t forget to remove the whole cloves before serving, as biting into one can be unpleasant.
- Balance the flavors: Taste the cabbage before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra sugar if needed.
Easy Variations of Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage
- Add cranberries: For a more festive twist, toss in a handful of dried cranberries during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Swap apples for pears: Use pears instead of apples for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Spiced wine: Add a splash of red wine and a few extra spices, like star anise, for a richer, more complex flavor.
- Vegetarian version: For a completely vegetarian dish, simply replace the butter with a plant-based alternative.
Best Practices to Store Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage
- Refrigeration: Store the red cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat the cabbage in a pot over low heat, adding a splash of water or balsamic vinegar if needed to loosen it.
Best Practices to Reheat Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage
- Stovetop reheating: Place the cabbage in a pot and reheat over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
- Microwave reheating: Reheat in a microwave-safe dish, stirring occasionally, until heated evenly.
How Can I Make Christmas Red Cabbage Healthier?
- Reduce sugar: You can reduce the amount of sugar for a slightly less sweet version of the dish.
- Use less butter: Replace the butter with a small amount of olive oil or use a plant-based alternative to reduce the fat content.
- Add extra veggies: Incorporate other vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts for more nutrients.
Nutrition Value (per serving):
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 4g
FAQs
Can you make Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage up to two days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
How do you stop red cabbage from turning blue?
To prevent red cabbage from turning blue, make sure to add an acidic ingredient like vinegar or lemon juice during cooking. In Jamie Oliver’s recipe, balsamic vinegar helps preserve the vibrant red color of the cabbage.
Can you freeze cooked red cabbage?
Yes, cooked red cabbage freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
What can I serve with Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage?
Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage pairs beautifully with roast meats such as turkey, ham, or beef. It also complements dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and other festive vegetables like Brussels sprouts.
Final Words
Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spiced flavors, making it a must-have for your festive table. It’s easy to make, healthy and can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to focus on other holiday dishes.
Try it this Christmas and add a burst of color and flavor to your celebration!
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Jamie Oliver Christmas Red Cabbage Recipe
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 90
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow cooking
- Cuisine: British
Description
Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Red Cabbage is a classic winter side dish, slow-cooked with seasonal flavors like apples, onions, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. The addition of balsamic vinegar gives the cabbage a lovely balance of sweet and tangy, while the slow cooking process ensures it is tender and full of flavor. This dish is ideal for Christmas and other holiday meals, adding both color and taste to the table.
Ingredients
- Red cabbage: 1 large head, finely sliced
- Red onions: 2, finely sliced
- Apples: 2, peeled, cored, and sliced
- Balsamic vinegar: 4 tablespoons
- Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Cinnamon stick: 1
- Cloves: 4-5 whole
- Butter: 50g
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Salt and pepper: To taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Slice the cabbage: Finely slice the red cabbage and place it in a large bowl.
- Chop the onions and apples: Peel and slice the red onions and apples, keeping them separate from the cabbage.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions
- Heat the butter and oil: In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook the onions: Add the sliced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften and become translucent.
Step 3: Add the Cabbage and Apples
- Combine the ingredients: Add the sliced red cabbage and apples to the pot, stirring them together with the onions.
- Season: Sprinkle the mixture with brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Add the cinnamon stick and cloves.
Step 4: Add the Balsamic Vinegar
- Pour in the balsamic vinegar: Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the cabbage mixture and stir everything together to combine the flavors.
Step 5: Cook Slowly
- Cover and simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the cabbage cook slowly for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure the cabbage cooks evenly.
- Check for tenderness: The cabbage should be soft and tender, and the flavors well combined by the end of the cooking time.
Step 6: Serve
- Remove the cinnamon and cloves: Before serving, remove the cinnamon stick and whole cloves.
- Serve hot: Transfer the red cabbage to a serving dish and serve hot alongside your Christmas roast.
