Sliced red cabbage in a flavorful Belgian kriek cherry beer: what an amazing flavor match this is then! Try out this braised red cabbage recipe… You won’t be disappointed!
Braised red cabbage without apples or sugar?
Yes.
The hubs loathes that old-fashioned combination. So being a lovely sweet and obeying housewife (NOT) I prepared the red cabbage the way he likes it best.
And that is not surprisingly with beer. Kriek beer to be more specific.
Look, I took a gamble here. I wasn’t too sure what to expect.
But it worked in the end.
Easy Braised Red Cabbage Recipe with Kriek Beer
Well I like both the beer and the apple version, so you will not hear me complain.
I did add kriek beer because I also wanted to get that extra fruity flavor in the braised red cabbage. Like I said, it turned out to be a great combo!
You would be surprised how well that works.
I used Mort Subite kriek, a sweet kriek. Other kriek beers can be quite sour, and you definitely need a bit of sugar to braise the cabbage. Or you will end up with bitter and sour cabbage side dish. So because of that, make sure to buy a sweet one.
Are you not able to find kriek beer around where you live?
Kriek Beer Alternative
Then you can also replace it by ¾ cup (180 ml) of cherry juice and ¾ cup (180 ml) of water.
There are also a couple of spices in this red cabbage recipe as well.
Add whatever you like but make sure to use bay leaves and cloves. Both are pretty essential for flavor. Same goes for the balsamic vinegar that you add in the end. Downright delicious. I sometimes add mustard to it as well, also something you should try out.
I wonder what other recipes that I will get of the remaining head of cabbage.
Because these buggers aren’t small.
A red cabbage slaw maybe?
Or a creamy autumn soup with red cabbage and blue cheese? Au gratin? And what about pickled cabbage for tacos and hotdogs then?
I will see.
Enjoy!
Easy Braised Red Cabbage Recipe
- 2 lb fresh red cabbage (900 g)
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp dried juniper berries optional
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups kriek beer (360 ml)
- 2 cloves
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- pepper
- salt
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Add the butter to a large non-stick pan or wok (one with a lid) and then place it over medium heat until melted.
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Add the onion and garlic to the melted butter together with the cloves, fresh rosemary, bay leaves and juniper berries (optional). Season well with pepper and salt.
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Then stir fry this mixture for 5 minutes until the onions start to soften. In the meantime chop the red cabbage finely.
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Then add the cabbage to the soft onion in the hot pan.
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Pour in the kriek beer and then put the lid on it.
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Braise the cabbage over medium heat for 30 minutes until soft. Regularly stir the cabbage and add extra water if necessary. Check to see if the cabbage is soft. Add the balsamic vinegar.
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Then season with extra pepper or salt to taste if necessary. Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the braised cabbage onto plates or in a large serving bowl. Serve hot.
