German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (2024)

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German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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MyGerman cabbage recipe, akaSchmorkohl,is very traditional. It's the one I grew up with. Mutti (who came from the Berlin area) made it all the time because she knew that we loved it so much.

It's actually a braised cabbage recipe that is delicious when served with homemade German sausage.

This recipe works for both green cabbage and savoy cabbage. Although the cooking time for the cabbage takes about one hour, the preparation time is fairly quick.

German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (4)

The most flavor comes from the browning of the cabbage. This, along with the browned onion, makes the resulting cabbage dish so delicious.

Leftovers are great when they are stirred into some leftover potatoes that have been fried with any bits of leftover meat and gravy. Such a yummy lunch the next day.

Need that “all’s good with the world” feeling? Comfort food will do that. Get your copy of Oma's German favorites in herComfort Foods e-Cookbook.

German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (5)

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Once you've done the chopping and browning, just add the liquid and it simmers away quietly on the stove.

Stir occasionally to make sure there's enough liquid to keep it from burning, but that's it. Yummy cabbage!

This is an easy way to learn how to cook cabbage and is one of my favorites to include among my Oktoberfest recipes. It seems just like a comfort food and goes so well for cool autumn days and cold winter nights.

Looking for another great cabbage recipe? Check out my Bavarian Braised Cabbage. It's just a bit sweeter than this one, the way many like it in southern Germany.

Ready to make this German cabbage?

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German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (7)

German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept

My German cabbage recipe, aka Schmorkohl, is very traditional. It's actually a braised cabbage recipe that is delicious when served with homemade German sausage.

This recipe works for both green cabbage and savoy cabbage. Although the cooking time for the cabbage takes about one hour, the preparation is easy and fairly quick.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

65 minutes

Total Time

80 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) oil or (26 grams) bacon fat
  • 1 tablespoon (13 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1¾ lb (800 g) green cabbage, shredded
  • 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon (2 grams) caraway seeds
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon(15 milliliters) white vinegar, or to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the sugar and sliced onion. Brown slightly. Add the cabbage and brown slightly.
  2. Add the broth and caraway seeds. Stir.
  3. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover.
  4. Cook about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If necessary, add extra broth or water so that there is at least 1 inch of liquid in the pot.
  5. When the cabbage is tender, season with salt, pepper, and vinegar. Serve.
  6. Serve with homemadeGerman sausageormeat loafandboiled potatoes.

* * * * *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

05.07.2023 revision update

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German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (19)

German Cabbage Recipe made Just like Oma

By Oma Gerhild Fulson
German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (20)
This German cabbage recipe is very traditional. It's actually a boiled cabbage recipe that is especially good served with sausages. An Oktoberfest and an autumn staple!

Ingredients: green cabbage,oil,sugar,onion,broth,seasonings,vinegar,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

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Top of German Cabbage Recipe

German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (2024)

FAQs

What is a German dish of chopped cabbage? ›

Sauerkraut (/ˈsaʊ. ərˌkraʊt/; German: [ˈzaʊ. ɐˌkʁaʊt], lit. 'sour cabbage') is finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria.

Is German cabbage good for you? ›

This cruciferous beauty is super anti-inflammatory and high in Vitamin C. It also contains healthy amounts of Vitamin K, and B6. Red cabbage is loaded with beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants. Next to Vitamin C, you can find carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and kaempferol in cabbage.

Do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Cabbage is an affordable and very nutritious vegetable that is beloved in many global cuisines, and in the United States, shredded cabbage is often used in tacos, coleslaw, soups, and more. When preparing shredded cabbage at home, you should always give it a quick and easy soak in water for the best end result.

Does Germany have cabbage? ›

Cabbage is a common vegetable in German cuisine and is used in many dishes such as sauerkraut, red cabbage, and coleslaw.

What nationality eats the most cabbage? ›

China produces nearly half of the world's cabbage while Russia consumes the most per person. The average Russian eats about 44 pounds of cabbage a year. That compares to the 8.6 pounds eaten by Americans. Raw cabbage is rich in vitamin C.

What do Germans call sauerkraut? ›

What does sauerkraut mean? Sauerkraut is the German language equivalent of “sour cabbage.” In reality though, it can mean different things to different people. To busy home chefs, sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage, is a fast, easy way to liven up their families' favorite meals.

Is it OK to eat sauerkraut every day? ›

You can eat sauerkraut every day. But if you're looking to benefit your gut bacteria, you can also eat other fermented foods and beverages like kimchi and kombucha. Yogurt also contains beneficial probiotics. Each product can contain different strains of bacteria, which may vary in their benefits.

What does eating cabbage everyday do to your body? ›

Cabbage has 1 gram of fiber for every 10 calories. That helps fill you up, so you eat less. It also keeps you regular, and it could help lower your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and control your blood sugar. Cabbage also has nutrients that keep the lining of your stomach and intestines strong.

Is sauerkraut good for your kidneys? ›

Sauerkraut is fermented in salt brine, so the sodium content in sauerkraut is quite high. High sodium levels in the body increase blood pressure and the risk of unwanted cardiovascular and renal issues. If you suffer from any diseases, you are recommended to take your doctor's advice before consuming sauerkraut.

Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it? ›

Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it's best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. Savoy can be used in any recipe that calls for green cabbage.

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.

Why do you soak cabbage in salt water before cooking? ›

The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt. Drain and dry the cabbage with paper towels, gently pressing to release excess water.

How do Germans eat cabbage? ›

Cabbages of all types and colors feature in so many traditional German dishes! Everything from a northern German dish of dark green cabbage and sausage to a hearty Bavarian kohlrabi and white cabbage soup, from blaukraut (a braised red cabbage side dish) to pork chops with sauerkraut, a complete meal in a pan.

What is German fermented cabbage called? ›

Sauerkraut is fermented shredded cabbage with a tangy, salty flavor. Despite the German name, it actually originated in China over 2,000 years ago.

What is the name of a cabbage dish? ›

Lion's head – dish from the Huaiyang cuisine of eastern China, consisting of large pork meatballs stewed with vegetables. The plain variety is usually stewed or steamed with napa cabbage. Rotkohl – Northern German dish made from cooked red cabbage, vinegar, cloves, and tart apples.

What is labskaus in Germany? ›

Labskaus (German: [ˈlapskaʊ̯s]) is a culinary speciality from northern Germany and in particular from the cities of Bremen, Hamburg, and Lübeck. The main ingredients are salted meat or corned beef, potatoes, and onion.

What is Blaukraut made of? ›

Red cabbage with apples is a traditional German side dish for pork roast and other roasts, Christmas goose, turkey, and game. It tastes even better when reheated so I usually make it the day before. It is a staple on most people's home for Christmas dinner.

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