EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (2024)

by Erin

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You’ll want to keep a jar of this Pickled Cabbage in your fridge at all times. Not only is it fast and easy, but you can use it on anything! Pile it onto tacos, burgers, pork sandwiches, and so much more.

EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (1)

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🥬 Red vs. purple cabbage

🛒 Ingredients needed

📋 How to make pickled cabbage

👩‍🍳 Customize the brine

ℹ️ FAQs

🥄 Ways to use pickled cabbage

→ More red cabbage recipes

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Equipment

Nutrition

Is raw cabbage not your thing? Try pickling it! Pickled Cabbage is extra flavorful, never bitter, and so versatile. Use it on anything, from fish tacos to grain bowls!

Pickling vegetables is almost always an effortless process. You’ll always find a batch of Quick Pickled Cucumbers and Pickled Red Onions in my fridge because they take no time to put together and are good on everything. Beyond the main vegetable, you only need a few ingredients to make them!

This quick pickled cabbage recipe is no different.

The foolproof step-by-step instructions will show you how to make a batch of this pickled purple beauty in just over 1 hour. Simply pour the warm brine over shredded cabbage in a jar and you have a condiment that tastes sweet, zesty, and tangy.

Best of all, you can use pickled cabbage as a zingy pop of flavor and color on all kinds of meals. Try it on hamburgers, hot dogs, Korean tacos, buddha bowls, and so much more. You’ll have more luck figuring out what NOT to put it on, truthfully.

Plus, you can use any cabbage you’d like.

This recipe works for all cabbage varieties, so feel free to use a different type, like green, savoy, or napa cabbage.

EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (2)

🥬 Red vs. purple cabbage

Did you know that there are over 400 types of cabbage? They range from round to elongated in shape with flat or curly leaves. This pickled cabbage recipe showcases one of the more popular varieties: red cabbage, AKA purple cabbage.

Both red and purple cabbage are the same. The only slight difference is that the pigment changes based on the pH value of the soil they’re grown in. That’s about it.

🛒 Ingredients needed

  • Red cabbage – AKA purple cabbage. It needs to be shredded before being placed in the pickling jars. This is easy to do with a knife or a mandolin.
  • Apple cider vinegar – The acidity in vinegar helps preserve the cabbage. Feel free to use white, rice, red wine, or white wine vinegar to play with the flavors in the brine.
  • Water
  • Sugar – A superfine granulated white sugar is best, but you can use regular white sugar, brown sugar, or cane sugar.
  • Garlic – Grate or mince fresh garlic to evenly infuse the cabbage with a savory bite.
  • Kosher salt
  • Red pepper flakes – They give the picking brine a kick, but feel free to omit them if you’re not into spice.
EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (3)

📋 How to make pickled cabbage

Start by making the pickling brine by whisking half of the water, salt, and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat until the sugar and salt dissolve. Take it off the heat.

Mix the vinegar and the rest of the water in with the warm brine. Finish with the garlic and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Now you can stuff the shredded cabbage into a clean mason jar (or several jars). Pour the brine over top, completely submerging the cabbage. Let the brine cool completely before sealing with a lid and storing it in the fridge.

Leave the cabbage to pickle in the fridge for at least 1 hour before using. Enjoy!

EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (4)

👩‍🍳 Customize the brine

Anything in the brine can be changed or played with (except the water) in order to customize the flavor. The base, vinegar, is a necessary component. Apple cider vinegar will give the cabbage tart and fruity undertones. For a softer flavor, feel free to use white, rice, or red wine vinegar.

From there, add as many other flavor-boosters as you like:

  • Bay leaf
  • Caraway seeds
  • Chile peppers
  • Chives
  • Coriander seeds
  • Curry leaves
  • Dill
  • Lime or lemon juice
  • Mustard seeds
  • Oregano
  • Peppercorns
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Turmeric
EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (5)

ℹ️ FAQs

How long does quick pickled cabbage last in the fridge?

Pickled red cabbage will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Keep it in a sealed jar to retain its freshness and flavor.

What else can I pickle using this recipe?

Almost anything! Asparagus, banana peppers, cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, red onion, and radishes are some of the many vegetables you can quickly pickle and store in the fridge.

Can I make pickling brine without sugar?

Technically, yes, but the purpose of sugar in the pickling solution is to balance the pungency of the vinegar. Therefore, if you omit the sugar, be prepared for a much more sour and tart taste.

🥄 Ways to use pickled cabbage

Pickled cabbage is delightful with any food that could use a salty-briny bite. It goes great on:

  • All types of tacos! Pile it on cauliflower, sweet potato, Korean, or mojo pork tacos
  • Pulled pork sandwiches, Cubanos, and most other pork sandwiches
  • Burgers and hot dogs
  • Charcuterie boards
  • A baked potato bar
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Grain bowls, like chicken gyro bowls, lamb orzo bowls, Buddha bowls, etc.
EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (6)

→ More red cabbage recipes

  • Red Cabbage Soup
  • Vinegar Slaw
  • Peanut Noodles with Red Cabbage
  • More → 20+ Red Cabbage Recipes

✔️ More homemade condiments

  • Gremolata
  • Fried Capers
  • Aji Amarillo Sauce
  • Copycat Chic Fil A Sauce
  • Lebanese Garlic Sauce
  • Buffalo Wing Sauce

​​Did you make this pickled cabbage?

If you loved this quick pickled cabbage recipe, I would appreciate it so much if you would give it a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

PS – Have leftover red cabbage? Try making this Red Cabbage Soup!

EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (7)

Pickled Cabbage (Quick & Easy)

You’ll want to keep a jar of this Pickled Red Cabbage in your fridge at all times. Not only is it fast and easy, but you can use it on anything! Pile it onto tacos, burgers, pork sandwiches, and so much more.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Resting time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Make the pickling solution, in a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water with the salt and sugar. Stir and heat until the sugar and salt are dissolved in the water.

  • Remove from heat and add the vinegar, remaining 1/2 cup water, garlic and red pepper flakes, if desired.

  • Add the shredded cabbage to a mason jar, then pour over the pickling solution. Seal and store in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Notes

Pickled cabbage will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Keep it in a sealed jar to retain its freshness and flavor.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (8)EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (9)

Mason Jar

Nutrition

Calories: 31kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 791mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 497IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Check out the web story here.

EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long do pickled cabbage last? ›

If the cabbage is pickled in vinegar, it can last for up to 12 months in the refrigerator, as long as it's stored in an airtight container. However, if the cabbage is fermented, it can last for several months at room temperature if it's stored in a cool, dark place.

Why do you soak cabbage in vinegar? ›

An old trick to use is to leave the cabbage lightly doused in vinegar water for a couple of minutes before proceeding to wash the cabbage with water. Usually between two or four minutes. Vinegar kills some types of bacteria and helps killing mold and mildew that could have grown on the cabbage.

How do you pickle cabbage for long term storage? ›

You need just 5 fresh ingredients plus some basic pickling ingredients: vinegar, sugar, and salt.
  1. Toss the vegetables with salt and let them sit.
  2. Pack them in a jar.
  3. Mix and pour in the brine.
  4. Wait a few hours, and enjoy.
Sep 9, 2021

Is pickled cabbage in vinegar good for you? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar – It's good for you!

Much better to eat some of this with your meal to get the benefits. As a bonus, the cabbage also has tons of fibre – which incidentally, is also helpful when you're trying to shed some pounds. The pickled cabbage will be ready to use after a few days of soaking.

Can you eat too much pickled cabbage? ›

Yes, it is possible to eat too much sauerkraut. Consuming large amounts of sauerkraut can lead to digestive discomfort, such as bloating and gas. Additionally, sauerkraut is high in sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure and other health problems if consumed in excessive amounts.

How healthy is pickled cabbage? ›

Sauerkraut is incredibly nutritious and healthy. It provides probiotics and vitamin K2, which are known for their health benefits, and many other nutrients. Eating sauerkraut may help strengthen your immune system, improve your digestion, reduce your risk of certain diseases, and even lose weight.

Why add baking soda to cabbage water? ›

You don't add baking soda. Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

What happens when you add lemon juice to cabbage juice? ›

The cabbage juice turns a greenish blue color when it meets a base and reddish color when it meets an acid! This means our baking soda and windex are bases and our vinegar and lemon juice are acids!

What's the difference between pickled cabbage and sour cabbage? ›

Sour cabbage gets its unique flavor from the fermentation process rather than the vinegar used in making Chinese-style paocai (a fresher pickle made by soaking seasonal vegetables in a brine of salt, ginger, white vinegar, Sichuan peppercorns and more).

What is the best container for pickling cabbage? ›

Therefore, a 5-gallon stone crock is of ideal size for fermenting about 25 pounds of fresh cabbage or cucumbers. Food-grade plastic and glass containers are excellent substitutes for stone crocks. Other 1- to 3-gallon non-food-grade plastic containers may be used if lined inside with a clean food-grade plastic bag.

How do you preserve cabbage in a jar? ›

Shred the cabbage and pack the sterile jars full, up to the neck, leaving 1 inch of head space. Use a wooden spoon to reallly pack the jars. Add to each jar 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon canning salt, and 1 teaspoon of vinegar. Fill each jar with boiling water up to the neck.

What is the healthiest pickled vegetable? ›

Cabbage, radishes, onions, carrots, beets—the limit does not exist. And they're all great for the gut. Here's more about the best plant-based pickled foods, why they're beneficial for our health, and how to enjoy them in vegan recipes.

What do you eat with pickled cabbage? ›

Pickled Purple Cabbage adds a sassy, classy kick to your favorite dishes. Put it on fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, or barbecued beef, or simply serve it as a side dish!

Is pickled cabbage anti inflammatory? ›

Health benefits of red cabbage

Typically, vegetables and fruits that are red, purple or blue in color have a type of antioxidant called anthocyanins. 2,3 These antioxidants have properties that help to reduce inflammation in our bodies, as well as protect our hearts.

How long do pickled vegetables last in a jar? ›

"As long as the pickles are kept cold, they can last upwards of 75 days unopened in the fridge," Andre shares. Once opened, any pickles should be stored in the fridge, submerged in brine, to maintain freshness for at least up to three months, according to the USDA.

How long do homemade pickled veggies last? ›

Keep the container in the refrigerator. Avoid exposing pickled vegetables to air and light as much as possible. Discard pickled vegetables if you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold or off odor. Consume pickled vegetables within 3-4 months for best quality.

How long can you preserve cabbage? ›

Try to minimize any bruising of your cabbages. Any kind of cell damage makes the cabbage go by more quickly and degrades the vitamin C content. If cabbage is properly stored, it can last from 3 weeks to up to 2 months in your refrigerator. In optimum root cellar conditions, it can even last longer.

Do pickled foods expire? ›

"Pickles will eventually spoil if given enough time. Some may think the acid will prevent mold from growing, but given enough time, the mold will prevail." Tiner says the pickle brine has a lot to do with pickles lasting up to a year past the "use by date".

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