German red cabbage is a tasty traditional side dish to serve with schnitzel, along with fried potatoes. Many families with Dutch or German roots also serve it at Thanksgiving. It can be made fairly quickly in the Instant Pot, and contains onions and apples in addition to the red cabbage. The following version, Instant Pot Fancy German Red Cabbage starts with bacon (everything is better with bacon!), and the onions are sautéed in the bacon fat before adding the other ingredients, resulting in extra flavor. This red cabbage makes a great side dish to grilled and broiled meats, as well as German or Dutch meat dishes; it has just the right amount of sweet, sour, and savory to satisfy everyone.

Leftovers keep for several days refrigerated, or can be frozen for longer storage. Caraway seed is traditional, but can be left out for those who don’t care for it.

12 Servings

4 ounces bacon, finely chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 tart apples, peeled, cored, cut into wedges and sliced
1 head red cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup white vinegar
2 teaspoons granular chicken bouillon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups water

2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1/3 cup water

1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds, (optional)

1. Cook the bacon on the sauté setting in the Instant Pot until very crisp; remove the bacon to drain and add the onion to the bacon fat.
2. Sauté the onion until it begins to soften and stir in the apples.
3. Stir in the cabbage, sugar, granular chicken bouillon, salt, pepper, water, and bacon.
4. Cover, set the valve to sealing, and set the pot to manual for 17 minutes (15 for crisper cabbage, 20 for softer cabbage).
5. When the cycle is finished, release the pressure.
6. Stir in the cornstarch mixture to thicken the juices, and sprinkle with caraway if using.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 117 Calories from Fat 18
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 16% Protein 8% Carb. 76%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 2 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 3 mg
Sodium 201 mg
Total Carbohydrate 22 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sugars 8 g
Protein 2 g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 80% Calcium 0% Iron 3%