Crimson pickled cabbage is a flexible and tangy facet dish that pairs completely with a wide range of meals, from grilled meats to sandwiches. It’s filled with taste, providing a pleasant steadiness of sourness, sweetness, and a contact of spice. This fast and straightforward recipe will train you how one can make the right batch of pickled cabbage that’s positive to impress your loved ones and associates.

Why You will Love This Spectacular Facet
- Fast and Straightforward. Prepared in just below Half-hour, with just a few elements required.
- Completely Tangy. The steadiness of vinegar, sugar, and spices creates a pleasant zing that may improve any meal.
- Versatile. Ultimate for pairing with tacos, burgers, BBQ, and extra. It additionally makes an important topping for sandwiches and salads.
- Wholesome. Full of vitamins, fiber, and helpful probiotics if left to ferment, this pickled cabbage is as nutritious as it’s tasty.
Whether or not you’re trying so as to add a crunchy aspect to your meal or getting ready for a BBQ or vacation gathering, this pink pickled cabbage is a must-try!
What Is Pickled Cabbage?
Pickled cabbage is a standard dish made by soaking shredded cabbage in a brine, sometimes comprised of vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and spices. The brining course of provides the cabbage a tangy taste, whereas the greens retain their crunch. Crimson cabbage is commonly used for pickling as a result of its vibrant colour, which turns much more placing after pickling.
This model of pink pickled cabbage is made shortly and could be saved within the fridge to be loved for days, permitting the flavors to accentuate. It’s a straightforward recipe that doesn’t require any difficult gear or lengthy preparation instances.
Components You will Want
To make scrumptious, tangy pink pickled cabbage, collect the next elements:
- Crimson cabbage– The primary ingredient, providing a light, barely candy taste with a hearty texture that’s excellent for pickling.
- Carrot– Provides a pop of colour and delicate sweetness to steadiness the tang of the vinegar.
- Onion– Supplies a savory taste that enhances the cabbage and carrots.
- Garlic– For a aromatic, savory punch that enhances the general taste of the pickled cabbage.
- Apple cider vinegar– The tangy base of the brine that provides acidity to the cabbage.
- Water– To dilute the vinegar and steadiness the acidity of the brine.
- Sugar– Provides sweetness to steadiness the sharpness of the vinegar and salt.
- Kosher salt– For seasoning and aiding within the pickling course of.
- Black peppercorns– Supplies a light warmth that enhances the flavour profile.
- Mustard seeds– Provides a slight heat and depth to the brine.
- Crushed pink pepper flakes– For a touch of warmth; you may alter the quantity primarily based in your spice desire.
- Bay leaf– Provides a delicate natural word to the brine, enriching the flavour of the pickled cabbage.
How To Make Pickled Cabbage
- Put together the Greens. Begin by eradicating the outer leaves from the cabbage and slicing it into quarters. Take away the core, then thinly slice the cabbage into strips about 1/4 inch broad. You should utilize a mandolin or a pointy knife for this.
- Put together the Carrots and Onion. Peel and julienne the carrot into matchstick-sized items. Slice the onion into skinny strips.
- Put together the Pickling Brine. In a saucepan, mix apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, crushed pink pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Carry the combination to a boil over medium warmth, stirring often to dissolve the sugar and salt. As soon as the brine involves a boil, cut back the warmth and let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes to permit the spices to infuse the liquid.
- Pack the Greens into Jars. Whereas the brine is simmering, place the sliced cabbage, carrots, sliced onion, and garlic cloves into sterilized mason jars. Pack the greens tightly however depart some area on the high to permit the brine to totally cowl them.
- Pour the Brine Over the Greens. As soon as the brine has simmered and the sugar and salt have dissolved, rigorously pour the recent brine over the greens within the jars. Be certain the cabbage is absolutely submerged.
- Seal and Cool. Seal the jars with lids and permit them to chill at room temperature for 20-Half-hour. As soon as the jars are cool, switch them to the fridge.
- Let It Pickle. Permit the pink pickled cabbage to sit down within the fridge for at the very least 4 hours earlier than serving. The flavors will intensify because the cabbage absorbs the brine. For one of the best outcomes, let the cabbage pickle for 24-48 hours for extra strong flavors.

Suggestions And Tips
- Use Contemporary Components. Contemporary cabbage and greens will yield one of the best texture and taste in your pickled cabbage.
- Customise the Spice Stage. Modify the quantity of crushed pink pepper flakes to manage the extent of warmth. For further warmth, strive including some recent chili peppers.
- Coat the Greens in Salt. For a extra conventional pickling course of, you may sprinkle some salt over the cabbage and let it sit for Half-hour to attract out moisture earlier than making the brine.
- Sterilize Your Jars. Make sure you sterilize your jars earlier than use to keep away from contamination. This ensures your pickled cabbage stays recent longer.
Variations
Crimson pickled cabbage is a flavorful and versatile dish, and you may simply alter the elements to create completely different variations:
- Candy and Tangy- For a sweeter twist, you may steadiness out the vinegar’s acidity by including extra sugar or different sweeteners. This variation is ideal for individuals who love a steadiness of candy and bitter.
- Spicy- Add a kick of warmth to your pink pickled cabbage by growing the quantity of crushed pink pepper flakes or including recent chili peppers.
- Curry- Add a daring twist with curry powder. The mixture of the tangy cabbage and the nice and cozy, fragrant spices of curry will create a novel pickled expertise.
- Caraway Seed- For a extra conventional taste, particularly in Japanese European-style pickles, add caraway seeds. The marginally nutty and peppery style of caraway will steadiness the tanginess of the vinegar completely.
What To Eat With Pickled Cabbage
Crimson pickled cabbage is extremely versatile and pairs nicely with a variety of dishes. Listed here are a number of solutions for serving this tangy deal with:
- Tacos– Pickled cabbage provides a pleasant crunch to fish tacos, pulled pork tacos, and even veggie tacos.
- Pulled Pork– Serve the pickled cabbage alongside slow-cooked pulled pork for a balanced chew of richness and acidity.
- BBQ– Pickled cabbage is a wonderful facet dish for BBQ, notably with ribs, sausages, or burgers.
- Grilled Meats– Whether or not it’s grilled hen, steak, or sausages, pickled cabbage is the right distinction to the smoky flavors of grilled meats.
- Sandwiches– Pile some on high of a sandwich or burger to present it a zesty, crunchy crunch
How Lengthy Does It Final?
When saved correctly in an hermetic container within the fridge, pink pickled cabbage can final for as much as 2 weeks.
The flavors will proceed to develop because it sits, so it’s an important dish to make forward for gatherings or to maintain available for a straightforward facet dish all through the week.
Can You Freeze It?
It’s not really useful to freeze pickled cabbage, as freezing can alter the feel and taste. The cabbage will lose its crispness, and the brine might grow to be watery.
Extra Traditional Cabbage Recipes

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Servings: 4 servings
Energy: 91kcal
Click on on highlighted elements or Tools to see precisely what I exploit to make this recipe
Directions
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Put together the Greens. Begin by eradicating the outer leaves from the cabbage and slicing it into quarters. Take away the core, then thinly slice the cabbage into strips about 1/4 inch broad. You should utilize a mandolin or a pointy knife for this.
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Put together the Carrots and Onion. Peel and julienne the carrot into matchstick-sized items. Slice the onion into skinny strips.
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Put together the Pickling Brine. In a saucepan, mix apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, crushed pink pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Carry the combination to a boil over medium warmth, stirring often to dissolve the sugar and salt. As soon as the brine involves a boil, cut back the warmth and let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes to permit the spices to infuse the liquid.
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Pack the Greens into Jars. Whereas the brine is simmering, place the sliced cabbage, carrots, sliced onion, and garlic cloves into sterilized mason jars. Pack the greens tightly however depart some area on the high to permit the brine to totally cowl them.
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Pour the Brine Over the Greens. As soon as the brine has simmered and the sugar and salt have dissolved, rigorously pour the recent brine over the greens within the jars. Be certain the cabbage is absolutely submerged.
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Seal and Cool. Seal the jars with lids and permit them to chill at room temperature for 20-Half-hour. As soon as the jars are cool, switch them to the fridge.
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Let It Pickle. Permit the pink pickled cabbage to sit down within the fridge for at the very least 4 hours earlier than serving. The flavors will intensify because the cabbage absorbs the brine. For one of the best outcomes, let the cabbage pickle for 24-48 hours for extra strong flavors.
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Diet
Energy: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 0.4g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g