This Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage is a vibrant, sweet-and-sour festive staple—the perfect side dish for a traditional Sunday roast or Christmas dinner. A combination of tender cabbage ribbons, tart eating apples, and a warm infusion of nutmeg and cider vinegar, it is a colorful masterpiece that balances richness with a sharp, refreshing edge. This recipe relies on the magic of low-and-slow cooking to transform simple ingredients into a silky, jewel-toned accompaniment that tastes even better when prepared in advance.
Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage Recipe Ingredients
- 1 large red cabbage (about 1kg/2.2lbs), quartered, cored, and thinly shredded
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 large eating apples (like Braeburn or Cox), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¼ cup (50g) light muscovado sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage Recipe
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F). Ensure your cabbage is shredded into uniform, thin ribbons so it cooks evenly.
- Layer the Ingredients: In a large, heavy-bottomed ovenproof casserole dish (with a tight-fitting lid), begin layering the ingredients. Start with a layer of shredded cabbage, followed by a layer of sliced onions and apples.
- Season and Sweeten: Sprinkle a portion of the sugar, nutmeg, salt, and pepper over the layer. Repeat the layering process until all the ingredients are in the dish.
- Add the Liquid: Pour the cider vinegar over the top and add the knob of butter to the center.
- Slow Cook: Cover the dish with the lid and bake in the oven for 1½ to 2 hours. Halfway through the cooking time, give the cabbage a good stir to ensure the vinegar and sugar are well-distributed and the cabbage on top doesn’t dry out.
- Final Check: The cabbage is ready when it is completely tender and glossy. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more sugar or vinegar if you prefer a sharper or sweeter finish.
Recipe Tips
- Make it Ahead: This is one of the rare dishes that truly improves with time. You can make this up to 2 days in advance and reheat it; the flavors will be deeper and the texture even more velvety.
- The Vinegar Secret: Cider vinegar provides a fruity acidity that pairs perfectly with the apples, but red wine vinegar works as a great substitute if you want a slightly more robust flavor.
- Avoid Watery Cabbage: Do not add water to the dish. The cabbage and apples will release plenty of moisture during the slow-cooking process, resulting in a concentrated, flavorful syrup rather than a thin liquid.
- Spice it Up: For a more traditional Christmas flavor, you can add a few whole cloves or a cinnamon stick to the layers, just remember to remove them before serving.
What To Serve With Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage
This versatile side dish is the ultimate partner for rich meats and holiday mains.
- Roast turkey or goose with all the trimmings
- Pan-fried duck breasts with a balsamic glaze
- Roasted pork belly or glazed gammon
- A hearty vegetarian nut roast or lentil loaf
How To Store Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a tiny splash of apple juice or water if it looks a little dry.
- Freeze: This cabbage freezes exceptionally well! Store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~125 kcal (per serving)
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 14g
Nutrition information is estimated based on 8 servings.
FAQs
es! Use a heavy-bottomed pot and cook on the lowest possible heat setting for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the sugar from catching on the bottom.
Use a firm eating apple rather than a cooking apple (like Bramley). Eating apples hold their shape better during the long cook, whereas cooking apples will turn into a purée.
Absolutely. Layer the ingredients as directed and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–3 hours. It is a great way to save oven space during a busy holiday meal.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berry Lamb Stew Recipe
- Mary Berry Pork Casserole Recipe
- Mary Berry Liver and Bacon Casserole Recipe
Mary Berry Braised Red Cabbage Recipe
Description
A classic, slow-cooked festive side dish featuring shredded red cabbage, sweet apples, and aromatic nutmeg.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 150°C.
- Shred the cabbage and slice the onions and apples.
- Layer all ingredients in a heavy casserole dish with sugar and spices.
- Pour over the vinegar and dot with butter.
- Cover and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.
- Stir halfway through and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a mandoline for the thinnest cabbage ribbons.
- If the cabbage looks too wet at the end, remove the lid and simmer on the stove for 5 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- This dish is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan by substituting butter for oil.
