It’s very typical to find braised cabbage among the Russians and Ukrainians. Braised cabbage usually consists of some fresh shredded cabbage and some sour kraut to create a sweet and savory cabbage blend that is caramelized from the slow cooking technique (also known as braised). It could be used in various ways: as a satisfying side, a filling for fried doughs, a tasty spread, or even alone as it is.
I don’t think I looked for another braised cabbage recipe ever since my mom shared this version with me. I find this cooking method to be very simple and a one-pot kind of meal without extra dishes and pots and not only that but it tastes delicious! Give this one a try, I’m sure it won’t disappoint.
Ingredients for Braised Cabbage:
How to make Braised Cabbage:
Cut the cabbage in half lengthwise with core intact and shred finely into a large pot (preferably a nonstick pot). I used a Japanese mandolin for shredding or you can shred finely by hand. Don’t hesitate if there seems to be a lot of cabbage; it will reduce much in quantity during the cooking process.
Place the pot on the stove and turn heat to med-high. Once you hear the cabbage slightly sizzling add 1 cup of water; cover with lid slightly tilted for steam to escape. Allow to cook for about 15-20 min stirring every 5 minutes or so until water has almost evaporated. Meanwhile finely dice two onions.
When the water has almost evaporated (you can adjust heat to high for a few minutes for the water to evaporate quicker) add 5 tbsp of oil to the cabbage; stir thoroughly. Then add 3 cups of sour kraut, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 tsp of ground black pepper, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, and 5 tbsp of ketchup. Stir all ingredients together and reduce heat to med-low.
Allow cabbage to cook on med-low heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes adding oil when needed. (I ended up adding about 8 tbsp of oil throughout the rest of the cooking period) Feel free to add more salt and pepper if needed. Cabbage looks light during the first stage of cooking but as it continues to cook on low heat it will get darker in color and caramelize.
ENJOY!
Braised Cabbage { Тушеная капуста }
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized cabbage
- 1 cup of water
- 3 cups of sour kraut packed
- 2 medium onions
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 5 tbsp ketchup
- oil I used about a total of 13 tbsp throughout the whole cooking period
Instructions
- Cut the cabbage lengthwise in half with core intact.
- Finely shred cabbage into a large pot (preferably a non-stick pot).
- Place the pot on a stove and turn the stove on to medium-high heat.
- When you start to hear the cabbage slightly sizzling add 1 cup of water and cover with lid slightly tilted for steam to escape. Cook the cabbage in water for 15 -20 minutes until water has almost evaporated.
- When the water has reduced in size and is almost gone add 5 tbsp of oil and stir to combine. Then add diced onions, sour kraut, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, and 5 tbsp of ketchup.
- Reduce heat to med-low and continuing cooking on low heat for about an hour and a half, stirring every 10-15 minutes.
- Add a few tablespoons of oil when needed throughout the rest of the cooking period and add more salt and pepper if needed. (I ended up adding an additional 8 tbsp of oil for the rest of the cooking process.)
- Cabbage should have darkened in color by the end of the cooking time.
- You're done!
