EASY Pickled Cabbage Recipe (2024)

by Erin

Jump to Recipe

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)

Jump To

🥬 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

Print Pin

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 will pickled cabbage last? ›

You can use other types of vinegar, such as red wine, sherry, white wine, or rice vinegar, but keep in mind that they will have different flavors. Store in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator and use within 2 weeks.

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 homemade pickled cabbage good for you? ›

2,3 Additionally, red cabbage also contains high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin K. 3 Together, these two nutrients assist with skin health, wound healing, blood clotting and bone health! 4,5 This pickled red cabbage packs a punch in both flavor and nutrition.

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).

How long can you keep cabbage in vinegar? ›

This quick-pickled cabbage recipe is not fermented, but it is simply brined in a hot vinegar-salt mixture and refrigerated. The pickled cabbage lasts only a week in the fridge, while sauerkraut is good for up to six months.

Can pickled cabbage go bad? ›

Fruit in syrup or cooked pickled red cabbage is likely to mold or ferment in 'going bad' and you are unlikely to be able to ingest a harmful amount by the time you notice. If it is cooked red cabbage without being piclked, serous bad bugs can develop without showing any off signs.

What is the difference between sauerkraut and pickled cabbage? ›

Pickled cabbage is produced using a brine solution (brine-pickling) in some countries, including Türkiye. Sauerkraut, which is eaten frequently in Germany, is prepared by lactic acid fermentation from finely shredded and dry-salted white cabbage (Tamang and Samuel, 2010, Wacher et al., 2010).

How do you preserve cabbage in a jar? ›

Add 3 tablespoons of canning salt per 5 pounds cabbage. Using clean hands, mix thoroughly. Pack firmly until the salt draws juice from the cabbage. Repeat shredding, salting and packing until all cabbage and salt is in the container.

What is the healthiest pickled vegetable? ›

What are the best vegetables to prepare healthy and delicious pickles? I pickle: asparagus, cauliflower, Kirby pickles, mushrooms, sweet green and red capsicum peppers, jalapeños, cherry peppers, miniature sweet peppers and green tomatoes. They all are healthy and delicious.

Does pickled cabbage make you gassy? ›

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables are common foods that cause flatulence and gas. These plants release sulfur-containing organic compounds, called glucosinolates, when the leaves are cooked and/or chewed.

Is pickled cabbage good for your stomach? ›

Sauerkraut is a rich source of probiotics and vitamins. It can aid digestion, boost immunity, and provide other health benefits. It's also easy to make. Sauerkraut is a type of fermented cabbage with major health benefits.

What is the pickled cabbage scandal? ›

Also in March 2022, during the CCTV Spring Evening Gala, Hunan Chaqi Vegetable Industry was exposed for supplying substandard pickled cabbage to Kangshifu, a popular instant noodle brand, and other major food industry brands.

What is pickled cabbage called? ›

Sauerkraut is made by a process of pickling called lactic acid fermentation that is analogous to how traditional (not heat-treated) pickled cucumbers and kimchi are made. The cabbage is finely shredded, layered with salt, and left to ferment.

Can you eat pickled cabbage raw? ›

A whole cabbage can be a big commitment, it goes a long way. But pickling, which preserves the cabbage, is a delicious way to deal with any excess. Use half the cabbage for this, as it stores well, and the other half can be eaten raw. Pickled cabbage – great in a bun – with a sausage or pork or on its own.

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? ›

How long do refrigerator pickles last? Homemade refrigerated pickles last at least three to four weeks in the fridge, McClellan says. Any longer and the quality will start to decline. You'll notice the brine goes from clear to murky and cloudy, and the pickles start to lose their texture.

How long does vinegar cabbage last in the fridge? ›

If you have properly preserved the cabbage in a jar, it can last for several weeks or even months. 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.

Do pickled things ever go bad? ›

"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".

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6185

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.