Easy Slow Cooker Red Cabbage

Easy Slow Cooker Red Cabbage is buttery, mellow and the perfect side for Christmas, Boxing Day or Thanksgiving or just about any other time that you want to serve a delicious and super easy side. It's totally make ahead and keeps really, really well.

Braised red cabbage is a perfect pairing for any Sunday Lunch meal too. It kinda goes with everything. Leftovers reheat brilliantly and it goes a long way. I mean, why wouldn't you?

Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a full printable recipe card.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Method
• Storage
• Variations
• Serving Suggestions
• And then it's all about the Christmas sides
• Tips
• Easy Slow Cooker Red Cabbage

Ingredients

• Medium size red cabbage
• 2 onions
• 100 grams (3.5 oz) butter - I prefer salted butter here
• 200 grams (7oz) apple sauce - I recommend a chunky one
• 3 tbsp balsamic glaze - the sticky glaze not the balsamic vinegar

Method

Slice the cabbage and onion thinly as in the pic. I recommend using a sharp knife but watch those fingers.

Place all the ingredients into the slow cooker.

Mix it all together but cut up the butter a little so it melts evenly.

Put the lid on and cook on Low for 6 hours or High for 3-4 hours. Do check it an hour before the cooking time is up because it can sometimes be ready sooner than you think. Just use a fork to remove a shred of cabbage and check to see if done. If it overcooks it can become too soft. You do want a bit of bite.

If serving straight away then away you go but if making this ahead then cool and store in the fridge ready for reheating later.

Remember it will keep cooking if you just leave it in the slow cooker keeping warm until you are ready to sit down to eat, just remember that it can overcook and become too soft.

Storage

This will freeze well for up to 3 months when kept in a stout plastic container or tub. Defrost and reheat on the hob or in the microwave or even back in the slow cooker.

Variations

• Add in the juice of an orange for even more Christmas feels
• Add in some mixed spice or grated nutmeg
• Add in some black pepper to up the savoury vibe.

Serving Suggestions

We have spoken about how fabulous this is when served with the Christmas Dinner. So here is just about all the ways I do Christmas Lunch, not to mention Boxing Day and New Years Day.

• Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Crown
• Slow Cooker Roast Beef
• Slow Cooker Roast Beef Brisket
• Slow Cooker Gammon
• Slow Cooker Gammon with Brown Sugar
• Roast Gammon
• Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

And then it's all about the Christmas sides

• Roast Potatoes
• Mashed Potatoes
• Dauphinoise Potatoes
• Slow Cooker Dauphinoise Potatoes
• Cauliflower Cheese
• Simple Roast Carrots
• Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing
• Brussel Sprouts
• Christmas Parsnips

Tips

This will freeze well for up to 3 months when kept in a stout plastic container or tub. Defrost and reheat on the hob or in the microwave or even back in the slow cooker.

Remember it will keep cooking if you just leave it in the slow cooker keeping warm until you are ready to sit down to eat, keep in mind that it can overcook and become too soft.

Do check it an hour before the cooking time is up because it can sometimes be ready sooner than you think. Just use a fork to remove a shred of cabbage and check to see if done. If it overcooks it can become too soft. You do want a bit of bite.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave. I love to have mini Christmas dinners with the leftovers in the week afterwards, crispy stuffing, buttery red cabbage, turkey and the odd mini sausage roll or bit of quiche...oh yessss.

If you want to make this just on the hob then here you go, it's half the amount but just follow the ingredients on this recipe and add a bit of cooking time, Buttery Braised Red Cabbage.