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    Home » Condiments

    How to Make Easy Pickled Cabbage

    Published: Dec 23, 2021 · Modified: Dec 23, 2021 by Kristen Wood

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    Disclaimer: You will find affiliate links for the products I use and love on this blog. I will earn from any purchases you make from these links, but it is at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!

    Learn how to make quick and easy pickled cabbage recipe in this informative post! Pickled cabbage can add a dash of crunch and tang to a variety of dishes, making it a wonderful condiment to have on hand in the refrigerator.

    a white bowl filled with homemade pickled cabbage with carrots

    Sometimes you want a side dish that is acidic and can cut through other flavors and this quick pickled cabbage is just the one to consider. Offering the right balance in flavors and a bit of crunch, it is very easy to recreate this quick pickled cabbage recipe at home. It is an excellent condiment to have on hand to use again and again! 

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    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes and Substitutions 
    • How to Make Quick Pickled Cabbage 
    • How to Serve Pickled Cabbage
    • FAQ
    • Recipe Tips 
    • More Recipes You Might Enjoy
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    There is just something about cabbage when it is pickled, don’t you think? The acidic flavors work well with anything from adding a spoonful to your salad, as a refreshing addition to a sandwich, and let’s not forget how great it can be with tacos. I used to buy it until I realized that I could quickly recreate it at home and it tasted so much better. So, I certainly wanted to share this easy recipe with you!

    a closed mason jar laying on its side, filled with quick pickled cabbage

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Super quick and simple to make.
    • The perfect balance of acidic flavors.
    • A fantastic accompaniment or side dish.
    • You only need a knife, a jar and refrigerator to prep!
    • Naturally vegan, plant-based, gluten-free, nut-free and soy-free.
    a wooden spoon is stuck into a large clear mason jar filled with pickled cabbage and carrots

    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions 

    Cabbage: The main star of the show. You could use any type of cabbage you prefer. Red and green both work really well. You could even use napa if you prefer it.

    Water and Vinegar: This forms the brine that is a major part of pickling process. Any kind of vinegar will work—apple cider, white, wine, you name it!

    Sugar and Salt: To give that balance of sweet and savory. You can use cane, turbinado, coconut or even a sugar-free sweetener if you prefer.

    Garlic Cloves: Garlic can add a depth of flavor to this quick pickled cabbage. 

    Carrots: Optional, however, the carrots add a level of sweetness and can really balance out the other flavors. Not to mention -- added nutrition!

    a white ceramic bowl filled with pickled cabbage carrots and garlic

    How to Make Quick Pickled Cabbage 

    1.  Thinly slice or use a mandoline to shred the cabbage. Mince or grate the garlic and carrots (if using). 
    2. Grab yourself a jar that you want to store the picked cabbage within. Add the cabbage, garlic and carrots to the jar.
    3. Bring the water, vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stir well, then pour into the jar. Let the jar sit and cool to room temperature. The longer you leave it, the more intensified the flavor becomes (and the same goes for how long you refrigerate before eating!).
    a fork stuck in a white ceramic bowl filled with pickled cabbage

    How to Serve Pickled Cabbage

    Pickled cabbage is extremely versatile. You can use it to top off tacos, sandwiches and salads, throw it into wraps or on veggie burgers—just to name a few ideas!

    a white bowl of pickled cabbage

    FAQ

    Is there anything else I can add to this quick pickled cabbage?

    The answer is yes! You can omit any of the ingredients listed apart from the water, vinegar, salt, sugar, and of course, the cabbage. You can add other spices to the liquid to give different flavors. A great addition could be cloves or black peppercorns. If you like spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. You could also think about doing a combination of different cabbages or even adding onions or other vegetables into the mix. For an additional touch of sweetness, grated apple is an excellent addition, too. It is a very flexible recipe. 

    How long will the pickled cabbage last?

    Pickled cabbage will generally last in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Make sure that it is stored in an air-tight container to keep the pickled cabbage fresh. 

    top view of ceramic dish filled with pickled cabbage with a silver fork stuck in

    Recipe Tips 

    • Have all the vegetables you want to add prepped and ready to go. 
    • While you could eat this after it cools to room temp, the longer you leave it the better it will taste. 
    • Store in an air-tight container for maximum freshness and longer shelf life. 

    More Recipes You Might Enjoy

    Easy Spicy Golden Sauerkraut

    Easy Spicy Refrigerator Pickles

    Quick Spicy Pickled Onions

    📖 Recipe

    Easy Pickled Cabbage Recipe

    Learn how to make quick and easy pickled cabbage recipe in this informative post! Pickled cabbage can add a dash of crunch and tang to a variety of dishes, making it a wonderful condiment to have on hand in the refrigerator.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Condiments
    Cuisine: German
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Author: Kristen Wood

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium head cabbage, green or red finely sliced or shredded
    • 1 medium carrot grated
    • 2 garlic cloves minced or shredded
    • 2 cups water
    • 1½ cups vinegar of choice I like to use apple cider vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar of choice I like coconut sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt I like to use pink Himalayan salt
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    Instructions

    • Add the shredded cabbage, carrot and garlic to a large jar (quart mason works great!). Pack it down a little with a spoon, a tamper, or your hands. Set aside.
    • In a saucepan over high heat, add the water, vinegar, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil (about 5 minutes).
    • Turn off the heat and immediately pour the brine over the vegetables in the jar until covered, but while reserving at least 1-inch of headspace.
    • Let the jar cool to room temperature before placing the lid on and storing in the fridge.
    • Keep stored in the fridge for up to 4-6 weeks. Enjoy!

    Notes

    You can enjoy this pickled cabbage, but like a lot of pickled produce, the longer it rests in the refrigerator, the deeper the flavors become!
    You might also like 42 Vegan Gut Healing Recipes and Quick Pickled Ginger.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1385IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

    Equipment

    Apple Cider Vinegar
    Salt
    Coconut Sugar
    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
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    Comments

    1. Tara says

      June 23, 2022 at 9:10 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! This pickled cabbage looks fantastic. Such a wonderful condiment to help elevate meals. I love how easily it comes together.

      Reply
    2. Seema says

      June 23, 2022 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      Pickled cabbage tastes fantastic. I love them in pokebowls and wraps. This one is packed with so much flavour.

      Reply
    3. Traci says

      June 23, 2022 at 8:27 pm

      5 stars
      So much yes! I love pickled cabbage and your tips are super helpful for success. It's so good. Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    4. Tara says

      June 23, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      Used this recipe for my sauerkraut - it was perfect! Thank you!

      Reply
    5. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

      June 06, 2022 at 12:29 am

      5 stars
      I always buy this and had no idea how easy it is to make my own! Thanks so much for this.

      Reply
    6. Ieva says

      June 05, 2022 at 11:41 pm

      5 stars
      Had some leftover red cabbage that I didn't want to use right away, so this was a perfect recipe to try! Only made it yesterday, and had a little taste - amazing! I'm sure after a couple of weeks in the fridge it will be even better! Can't wait!

      Reply
    7. Chef Mireille says

      June 05, 2022 at 9:46 pm

      This was quite a hit when I served it at a recent gathering......I leave mine for long as I prefer a stronger flavor.

      Reply
    8. kushigalu says

      June 05, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      Never tried pickled cabbage before. Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    9. Irena says

      June 05, 2022 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      Love that I can have a pickled cabbage in such a short amount of time. I usually make sauerkraut but you have to wait for it so much longer so it's good to have a quick recipe on hand for when I need something for tacos or a side dish.

      Reply
    10. Tayler Ross says

      June 03, 2022 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      We just recently made this cabbage and oh my goodness was it delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    11. Nathan says

      June 03, 2022 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      It's been a bit since I had pickled cabbage and now I'm having a craving, can't wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
    12. Heather says

      June 03, 2022 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and tasty on some hot dogs. Can’t wait to have this on hand for all my summer grilling!

      Reply
    13. Shashi at Savory Spin says

      June 03, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      I have never made my own pickled cabbage but looking at your easy recipe makes me think I so need to change that!

      Reply
    14. Mirlene says

      June 03, 2022 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      These pickled cabbage was so delicious! I made some and used them on top of tacos and stuffed them into sandwiches! I loved the tangy crunch it gives!

      Reply
    15. Andrea says

      December 24, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      5 stars
      I love pickled veggies and cabbage which makes this a perfect recipe for me. Can't wait to make this.

      Reply
    16. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      December 24, 2021 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      I Made for a gathering and it was a hit, everyone loved it! Will definitely make it again!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        December 24, 2021 at 10:55 am

        So happy to hear! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

        Reply
    17. Eliza says

      December 24, 2021 at 7:20 am

      5 stars
      What a great recipe! I love that it's so quick and easy, and you can vary the intensity of flavor. Cabbage is one of my family's favorite veggies and this recipe is definitely a tkeeper!

      Reply
    18. Mandy Applehate says

      December 24, 2021 at 1:05 am

      5 stars
      I’ll be trying this recipe, pickled cabbage is my favourite!

      Reply

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    kristen wood

    About Kristen Wood

    Hi! I'm Kristen -- a mama, photographer, recipe developer and author of The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners and Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Everything you see here is infused with a bit of nature, magic and good health.

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