Danish Side Dish
Infuse your table with Nordic charm by serving this traditional Danish Side Dish, a warm and flavorful blend of red cabbage and tart apples simmered to perfection. This classic Scandinavian recipe combines the natural sweetness of the cabbage with the tang of red wine vinegar and a touch of allspice for a subtly spiced profile. Enhanced with buttery richness and just a hint of optional cranberry or red currant jelly, it’s the ideal accompaniment to hearty Danish roasts, pork dishes, or holiday feasts. Ready in just over an hour and even better when made ahead, this vibrant and comforting dish is a must-try for fans of European cuisine. Perfect for cozy winter meals or festive gatherings, it’s a timeless side that brings color, aroma, and authentic Danish tradition to your table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized head (approximately 2 pounds) Red cabbage
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 medium (preferably tart, such as Granny Smith) Apple
- 3 tablespoons Sugar
- 4 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1 cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground allspice
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Optional: Cranberry jelly or red currant jelly
Instructions
Remove the outer leaves of the red cabbage, then cut it into quarters. Remove the core and thinly slice the cabbage into shreds.
Peel and core the apples, then dice them into small pieces.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the shredded red cabbage to the pot and stir to coat it in the melted butter.
Mix in the diced apples, sugar, red wine vinegar, water, salt, allspice, and black pepper. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and allow it to simmer for 45–50 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, stir in the cranberry or red currant jelly during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Serve warm as a side dish with your favorite Danish or Scandinavian main meals. The flavors improve if made in advance and reheated before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
928 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.8 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.2 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 66 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 2762 mg | 120% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 175.9 g | 64% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.5 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 124.1 g | ||
| Protein | 11.2 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 459 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 7.7 mg | 43% | |
| Potassium | 2655 mg | 56% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
