What to Serve with Braised Red Cabbage? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Fresh and slightly peppery, the unique flavor of braised red cabbage is a perfect accompaniment to pork, sausage, and poultry dishes.

So, if you’re planning to replace your everyday Napa cabbage with this nutrient-rich and brighter relative, you sure won’t regret it.

Braised red cabbage is a popular dish in Germany, where it’s usually called Rotkohl and served as a side to spaetzle or potato dumplings.

But, it can also be a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving feast.

Not just on special occasions, but braised red cabbage can be enjoyed all year long.

So, if you’re looking for some inspiration on what to serve with braised red cabbage, we’ve got you covered.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes With Braised Red Cabbage?

No matter how nutritious or delicious braised red cabbage may be, it still might need a little help in the flavor department.

That’s where side dishes come in.

Not only do they add more variety to your meal, but they can also enhance the flavors of the main dish.

So, if you’re looking to take your braised red cabbage up a notch, consider serving it with one (or more) of these 7 fantastic side dishes we have mentioned below.

Another reason to serve side dishes with braised red cabbage is that it’s usually a pretty hearty dish.

So, if you want to lighten things up a bit, adding some lighter sides to the mix is always a good idea.

What to Serve with Braised Red Cabbage? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Here comes the part you’ve been waiting for; find below the 7 best side dishes that you can serve with braised red cabbage.

1 – Crunchy Orange and Chicken Salad

The best thing about red cabbage is that it’s super versatile.

Hence, it goes well with just about anything, including veggies, fruits, and protein.

This crunchy orange and chicken salad is the perfect example.

For the oranges, we suggest you go for fresh Mandarins; they’re sweet and add a pop of color to the dish.

As for the chicken, you can either use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook up some fresh chicken breast.

Either way, it’ll be delicious.

Lastly, this salad also includes some chopped-up celery and toasted cashews for a little bit of crunch.

If you want, you can also add in some crispy rice noodles.

And of course, don’t forget to add the star ingredient; braised red cabbage.

2 – Baked Potato Wedges

Doesn’t crispy potato wedges go well with anything? We think so too.

These baked potato wedges are the perfect side to your braised red cabbage.

Not only are they super easy to make, but they’re absolutely delicious.

Plus, they make great finger food, which means your guests can pick them up and munch on them without having to use a fork.

Perfect for parties.

All you need for this dish are some potatoes, olive oil, and your favorite seasonings.

We like to keep things simple with just salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

But feel free to get creative and add in your own favorite spices.

3 – Bacon Pea Salad

This bacon pea salad is creamy, flavorful, and has a great texture, thanks to the addition of crispy bacon and fresh peas.

Plus, it comes together in just 15 minutes, which makes it the perfect last-minute side dish.

To make this salad, toss some peas, braised red cabbage, green onions, radishes, parsley, and salt in a bowl.

Next, cook bacon until crispy and add it to the salad mix.

Then, add some garlic and shallots to the bacon fat and cook for about 5 minutes.

Add a dash of red wine, mustard, and season with salt and pepper.

Finally, mix the red wine dressing with the salad and enjoy.

4 – Roasted Chicken

If you want something filling, go for some roasted chicken.

It’s a great source of protein and will help round out your meal.

Plus, the leftovers make for a great lunch the next day.

Simply roast chicken breasts at 400° until cooked (about 20-25 minutes) with your favorite herbs and spices, then slice and serve alongside the cabbage.

If you’re feeling extra fancy, you could even toss some chopped bacon into the cabbage while braising.

Just make sure to cook it until crisp before adding it in.

Trust me, it’ll be worth the extra step.

5 – Honey-Cilantro Wings

If you want something different than a classic whole roasted chicken, these wings are for you.

With a flavorful honey and cilantro glaze, they’re perfect for a casual family dinner or game day gathering.

Bake the wings until they’re crispy, then toss in the glaze.

You can also braise red cabbage in the honey-cilantro mixture for an extra flavor.

Serve everything together and have a mouth-watering meal.

6 – Fried Rice

If you’re extra hungry, fried rice with braised red cabbage is a no-brainer.

Use some leftover rice, add diced veggies and a bit of soy sauce, and you’re good to go.

This dish is hearty and filling but still light enough that you won’t feel weighed down afterward.

Plus, it’s a great way to use any leftover rice you might have.

The best thing about this side dish is that even a novice cook can easily make it.

Besides, it’ll still taste good even if you mess up a little.

7 – Assortment of Roasted Veggies

Last but not least, an assortment of roasted veggies is always a good idea.

Not only are they healthy, but they’re also easy to make and can be tailored to your liking.

Some of our favorite vegetables to roast are Brussels sprouts, carrots, sweet potatoes, and green beans.

Dice and toss them in some olive oil, then roast in a 400° oven until they’re slightly browned and tender.

Serve alongside the braised red cabbage, and you have a complete meal.

Conclusion

There’s a phrase that goes, “Anything green cabbage can do, red cabbage can go brighter and better”.

And rightly so.

Braised red cabbage is enjoyed as a side dish all around the world.

And with a little extra creativity, braised red cabbage can be your star dish as well.

If you’re going for the latter and wondering what to serve with braised red cabbage, we hope we’ve helped you find some great options in our blog post.

Go ahead and try one of our recommendations – you’re in for a treat.