• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Seeking Good Eats logo

  • Recipes
  • by Course
  • Low Carb & Keto
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Looking down on an open glass jar of cauliflower pickles with fresh herbs.
      How To Make Pickled Cauliflower
    • Broccoli cheese soup served in a white bowl with fresh chives and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.
      Homemade Cheddar Broccoli Soup
    • A white bowl of butternut squash soup drizzled with sour cream and topped with toasted pecans.
      Easy Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
    • The best fried rice in a white bowl with colorful peas and carrots with sliced green onion.
      Best Recipe for Fried Rice
    • Grilled peach salad with creamy white burrata cheese, tomatoes, arugula, and toasted pine nuts.
      Grilled Peach Salad with Burrata
    • Juicy filet mignon steak with melting herb butter and fresh chives on a white plate.
      How To Grill Filet Mignon
    • A clear glass jar with pickle slices.
      Easy Recipe for Refrigerator Pickles
    • A white oval bowl with shredded barbacoa beef with rice and black beans.
      Barbacoa Chipotle Recipe
    • Dill pickle pasta salad served in a clear bowl and garnished with fresh dill and pickles.
      Dill Pickle Salad
    • Square image of the zucchini ground beef taco casserole on a white plate
      Best Ground Beef Taco Casserole
    • Golden air fried chicken breasts on a white plate garnished with fresh parsley.
      Air Frying Chicken Breasts
    • A chip is dipped into a white bowl of colorful pickle de gallo.
      Dill Pickle Salsa Recipe
    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Pickled Red Cabbage Recipe

    Published: Nov 7, 2022 by seekinggoodeats · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest pin with sweet and tangy pickled red cabbage in lidded jars.

    This sweet & tangy Picked Red Cabbage recipe is the perfect side dish and condiment! It is tangy, crunchy, sweet, and simply addicting. It's easy to make - and there's no canning required. Ready to make it?

    Pickled red cabbage served in a white dish.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love sweet and tangy Quick Pickled Cabbage
    • Pickled Cabbage Recipe ingredients
    • Pickled Red Cabbage Recipe variations
    • How to make Pickled Red Cabbage
    • How to serve Pickled Purple Cabbage
    • Pickled Cabbage Recipe top tips
    • Quick Pickled Red Cabbage FAQs
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love sweet and tangy Quick Pickled Cabbage

    Red cabbage can be made in many ways - roast it and serve with toasted nuts and goat cheese, add it to soup, or make a delicious salad.

    "If you like pickled red onion, you'll love this red cabbage just as much! It adds this great crunch, flavor, and color to so many things, such as on top of a brat, salads, or eat it on its own!"

    Pickled

    Pickling things is actually much easier than you think! Simple ingredients and a simple process (no water bath canning).

    Super Quick and Easy!

    This recipe is super easy to make! You just add salt to your cabbage and let it sit. Then add your boiled water with apple cider vinegar and sugar. Pour over the top and then cool in the fridge. That's it!

    Healthy

    This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and low-calorie! Pickled and fermented foods are also so good for your gut health as well!

    Pickled Cabbage Recipe ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you will need to make pickled red cabbage:

    • Red Cabbage (Purple Cabbage) - If you can't find red cabbage, green cabbage will work too.
    • Kosher Salt - is used to draw out moisture from the cabbage before pickling.
    • Raw Apple Cider Vinegar - this is used as the primary pickling liquid. Red wine vinegar may also be used.
    • Granulated Sugar - balances out the bitterness from the vinegar and makes for that classic pickle flavor. A sugar substitute can be used as well.
    • Water
    • Optional: red pepper flakes or dried red chile pepper(mild to hot) to make it spicy.

    For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

    Pickled Red Cabbage Recipe variations

    Here are a few ways you can customize this dish:

    • Add 2 very thinly sliced red onions with the cabbage.
    • Add fresh herbs like dill or rosemary.
    • Add a dried red pepper (mild to hot) in each jar or red pepper flakes.
    • Use red wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
    • Substitute the granulated sugar with a sugar substitute. Make sure to choose one with a 1:1 ratio for the best result. Adjust to flavor if needed.
    • Use green cabbage in place of red cabbage if preferred.

    How to make Pickled Red Cabbage

    1. Reduce Cabbage

    In a large bowl, add shredded cabbage and toss with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes.

    (Note: salt softens the cabbage, so 6 to 7 cups will reduce to about 4 cups approximately.)

    2. Boil

    In a small saucepan, add vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

    When the sugar is fully dissolved, remove it from the heat.

    3. Pack Jars

    Pack the cabbage into clean glass jars (mason jars work great) and pour the hot pickling liquid over the top. Wipe off any spills, affix the lid, and let sit on the counter until cool.

    Place in the refrigerator to store.

    To serve, drain the pickling liquid, and bring it to room temperature.

    An open lidded jar with bright redish purple pickled red cabbage.

    How to serve Pickled Purple Cabbage

    • This dish is best served at room temperature. Make sure you drain the liquid first before adding to your dish.
    • Add in some chopped or sliced granny smith apples and toasted walnuts or pecans.
    • Serve with fresh herbs such as dill, thyme, or a little rosemary.
    • Serve over burgers, sandwiches, bratwurst, hot dogs, tacos, or your favorite smoked sausage!
    • Makes the perfect side dish to compliment your Christmas roast goose or prime rib roast.
    • Meal idea! The perfect topping with Birria Tacos or these Chicken Tinga Tostadas! Serve with a side dish of Authentic Refried Beans or this Mexican Street Corn Salad.

    Pickled Cabbage Recipe top tips

    • Be sure your cabbage is 100% submerged with brining liquid. This will help you achieve a much longer shelf life with your pickled cabbage.
    • You're welcome to use another type of vinegar if there is no cider vinegar around. The flavor of your red cabbage will change depending on the type of vinegar used.

    Quick Pickled Red Cabbage FAQs

    Is it healthy to eat pickled cabbage?

    For sure, yes it's healthy. Red cabbage contains Vitamins C and K and is high in fiber and iron. This recipe uses raw apple cider vinegar making it a great source of healthy bacteria known as probiotics, which is great for gut healthy.

    How long after pickling can you eat red cabbage?

    Pickled cabbage can be eaten immediately, but it is recommended to be eaten several hours after the pickling process has started.

    How long can you store pickled red cabbage?

    For best results, store your pickled cabbage for 2 to 3 weeks.

    If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give it a 5-star rating and/or a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me and others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Don't forget to tag #seekinggoodeats

    Recipe

    Pickled red cabbage in a liddle jar.

    Quick Pickled Red Cabbage

    The perfect blend of tangy and sweet. This delicious pickled red cabbage is so easy to make!
    5 from 2 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Author Kori
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish Recipes
    Cuisine scandinavian
    Servings 8
    Calories 146 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 to 7 cups red cabbage (approx 1 small cabbage, quartered, cored, and very finely shredded 1/16th)
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 16 ounces raw apple cider vinegar
    • 1 cups granulated sugar
    • 24 ounces water
    • optional: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a dried red chile pepper (mild to hot).

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, add shredded cabbage and toss with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes. (Note: salt softens the cabbage so 6 to 7 cups will reduce to about 4 cups, approximately)
    • In a small saucepan, add vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar is fully dissolved remove from the heat.
    • Pack the cabbage into clean jar(s) and pour the hot pickling liquid over the top. Wipe off any spills, affix the lid, and let sit on the counter until cool. Place in the refrigerator to store.
    • To serve, drain the pickling liquid, bring to room temperature.

    Notes

    • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
    • VARIATIONS: Add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the pickling liquid for spice, or a dried red chili pepper (mild or hot). Add thinly sliced red onions to the cabbage and pickle together. Use red wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
    • TOP TIPS: use a mandolin to shred the cabbage 1/16 of an inch thick if possible. 
    • SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Drain before serving and bring to room temperature. Serve on its own, or mix in chopped granny smith apple and toasted walnuts. Also great served with chopped fresh herbs such as dill, thyme, or a little rosemary. Serve over bratwurst or hotdogs, great with tacos (especially if you added the pepper).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 607mgPotassium: 204mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 745IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

    © 2023 Seeking Good Eats™

    More Recipes

    • Italian Roasted Cabbage Slices
    • Red Cabbage Soup with Apples and Bratwurst
    • Air Fryer Cabbage
    • Roasted Red Cabbage Recipe
    • Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts
    • Pickle Pico
    • Mango Peach Salsa
    • Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
    • Guacamole Avocado Dip
    • Spicy 'n Sweet Pepper Relish (No Canning)
    • Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad

    More Side Dishes Recipes

    • A square white bowl with Mexican coleslaw garnished with radish slices and fresh cilantro.
      Mexican Slaw Recipe
    • Pink pickled onions in a clear jar with a red onion in the background.
      Best Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • A white bowl piled high with broccoli salad with bacon, cheese, carrots, and nuts.
      Cauliflower Broccoli Salad
    • A round glass bowl of pasta salad with olives, tomatoes, and colorful fresh vegetables.
      Creamy Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Image of Kori Seeking Good Eats Founder

    Hello! I'm Kori and I am a food LOVER. I've had a lifelong passion for cooking and eating (of course)! At some point that catches up with you, right? Older and wiser, I now watch what I eat more closely. What's the hardest and most frustrating part? Finding recipes that are healthy, easy to make, AND taste great.

    More about me →


    Recent Recipes

    • Closeup image of juicy grilled ribs served on a white plate with a side of barbeque sauce for dipping.
      The Best Pork Baby Back Ribs
    • Chicken curry in a white bowl garnished with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.
      Crock Pot Chicken Curry
    • A clear round glass bowl full of Texas caviar dip garnished with fresh cilantro.
      Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe
    • Sour cream is drizzled over the cheesy baked enchiladas in a 13 inch by 9 inch baking dish.
      Homemade Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    As featured in collage of websites

    Information

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    About

    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure page for more information.

    Copyright © 2023 Seeking Good Eats™