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

  1. Home
  2. Vegetable Recipes
  3. German Cabbage Recipe

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

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

This post may contain affiliate links, whichmeans I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extracost to you. Please readfull disclosurefor more information.

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)

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

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?

Is the recipe below locked?Here'swhy.

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

You might like these

  • German Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole – Oma's Kohlrouladenauflauf

    Love German cabbage rolls? You'll absolutely love Oma's unstuffed cabbage roll casserole. Same great taste, but a LOT less work. No rice or tomatoes here. Just real German goodness.

  • Quick Red Cabbage Recipe –schnelles Rezept für Rotkohl

    This easy red cabbage recipe is one of our favourites. It's quick, freezes well, and doesn't stain your hands red!

  • Oma Shows How to Cook Kale – Grünkohl

    I'll show you how to cook kale, turning it into traditional German dishes that are both hearty and healthy. Yumminess in your tummy!

Follow Oma on Social Media:

German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (11)

Leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question?

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods.

Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Newest Recipes

German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (12)

  1. The Best Jagerschnitzel Sauce: Oma's Mushroom Gravy for Jägerschnitzel

    Jagerschnitzel: Rich creamy bacon & mushroom gravy over crispy breaded pork schnitzel (cutlets). HEAVENLY! A traditional German meal that's PERFECT anytime.

    Go to Recipe

  2. How to Make German Schnitzel Recipe: Oma's Classic Schweineschnitzel

    Discover the ultimate German schnitzel recipe with Oma's quick and easy method - perfect for any occasion! Taste the authentic flavors of Germany today.

    Go to Recipe

  3. Oma's Favorite Finds offer a range of Oma’s favorite German-inspired must-have items that make cooking and entertaining more enjoyable, yummy, and efficient.

    Go to Recipe

* * * * *

PIN to SAVE this recipe to your Pinterest board!

And let’s be friends on Pinterest!

German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (18)

German Cabbage Recipe made Just like Oma

By Oma Gerhild Fulson
German Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Schmorkohl Rezept (19)
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 ...

Make every day a day of REJOICING!

"The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in Him. And those who do what is right will praise Him."

Psalm 64:10 (NLT)

Top of German Cabbage Recipe

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

FAQs

What is a German dish of chopped cabbage? ›

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.

How long should you boil cabbage before it's done? ›

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add cabbage. (It's OK to crowd the pot because the cabbage will shrink!) Step 2Boil until tender, about 5 minutes for shredded cabbage and 10 minutes for wedges.

Is German cabbage good for you? ›

In addition to vitamin K, a serving of cabbage supplies up to 1/3 of your daily allowance of vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant eliminates free radicals and boosts the immune system. So cabbage—especially red cabbage—is loaded with nutrition. This recipe gives you a delicious, traditional German way to prepare it.

Do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Ordinarily, you don't need to soak cabbage before cooking. There are two reasons to soak cabbage. If you cut into the cabbage and notice worms or insects, soak the cut cabbage in salt water for 10 to 20 minutes. This will drown unwanted critters.

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.

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

From what I understand, when cabbage is cooked, the acid that the cabbage has evaporates, causing it to turn blue. To keep it red when cooking, try adding vinegar or lemon juice to retain the acid levels.

Why is my cabbage still tough after cooking? ›

You're not cooking the right kind of cabbage

If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. The Savoy cabbage can be used as a substitute for green cabbage, just keep in mind that its leaves are a bit more tender than that of other cabbages.

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.

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.

Is cabbage healthier for you than lettuce? ›

Which should you choose? If you're looking for the healthier option of the two, choose cabbage. Lettuce varieties such as red leaf lettuce and romaine are also good options. Cabbage, including green and red cabbage, is typically higher in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds than iceberg lettuce.

What can I put in cabbage to reduce gas? ›

Cabbage contains an insoluble sugar and a lot of fiber. These can cause gas in some people. However, there are some herbs that might be useful, cooked with the cabbage, to reduce the amount of gas. These include dill seed, sage, caraway, basil, oregano, ginger, fennel, and allspice.

Why do you soak cabbage in salt water? ›

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. Repeat with more paper towels as the water is absorbed.

What happens when you soak cabbage in salt water? ›

Quite unlike the ice-water cabbage, salted cabbage shreds lost most of its liquid while sitting in the salt, leaving the cabbage pickle-crisp. In addition to having less water in it, the cabbage took on more of the dressing's flavors, and unlike stiff, icy shreds, this limp cabbage was also easier to eat.

What is the name of a cabbage dish? ›

Cabbages are prepared in many different ways for eating. They can be pickled, fermented for dishes such as sauerkraut, steamed, stewed, sautéed, braised, or eaten raw. Cabbage is a good source of vitamin K, vitamin C and dietary fiber. Contaminated cabbage has been linked to cases of food-borne illness in humans.

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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 6770

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.