What To Serve With Braised Red Cabbage? 10 Best Side Dishes

Not sure what to serve with braised red cabbage?

Look no further.

Here are 10 of the best side dishes that pair perfectly with this savory vegetable dish.

Braised red cabbage is a traditional German recipe made from shredded red cabbage slowly cooked in butter, onions, apples, and cinnamon.

The combination of sweet and tangy flavors is deliciously comforting and perfect for both everyday meals and parties.

However, you will need some amazing side dishes to make your meal complete!

From roasted vegetables to creamy mashed potatoes and crunchy salads, these scrumptious sides will turn your simple dinner into a feast!

Discover my favorite ten side dishes that work wonders with braised red cabbage.

So grab your forks – it’s time to dig in!

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Braised Red Cabbage?

• Variety: Serving side dishes with your braised red cabbage will add variety to the meal, allowing guests to choose from a range of flavors and textures.
• Balance: Side dishes can help balance out the richness of the braised red cabbage by providing lighter options such as salads or vegetables.
• Complementary Flavors: Side dishes can be chosen to complement the flavor profile of the braised red cabbage, such as roasted potatoes or sautéed mushrooms that bring out its sweetness and earthiness.
• Nutritional Benefits: Adding side dishes to your meal will increase its nutritional value, providing essential vitamins and minerals that may not be present in the main dish alone.
• Visual Appeal: Presenting a selection of colorful side dishes alongside your braised red cabbage will make for an attractive plate that is sure to impress guests!

What To Serve With Braised Red Cabbage? 10 Best Side Dishes

Braised red cabbage is a delicious, comforting dish. But what do you serve with it?

Here are ten great side dishes that will perfectly complement your braised red cabbage:

1 – Chinese Chicken Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/787426316108955752/

A crispy and crunchy Asian-style chicken salad with a tangy vinaigrette is the perfect pick as an accompanying side.

A fusion of crisp fresh vegetables, spicy marinated or grilled chicken, and a sweet yet sour dressing complements the flavor of this unique cabbage dish.

This hearty salad can be served cold or at room temperature on the same plate as braised red cabbage for an Asian-inspired meal that everyone will love.

Make it extra healthy by adding edamame beans to boost protein content while increasing dietary fiber intake even more!

2 – Baked Potato Wedges

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/39899146690006406/

Crisp and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, baked potato wedges are a great side for braised red cabbage.

Make sure to peel potatoes before cutting them into thick wedges or chips.

Pat dry with kitchen paper before brushing oil over each side and adding your favorite seasonings.

Then simply spread them onto a baking tray in one layer and bake in preheated oven until lightly browned all over. Serve while they’re still warm!

3 – Bacon Pea Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/92183123614852007/

Dive into the fresh, crisp flavors of bacon pea salad as a delightful side dish to your braised red cabbage.

This colorful blend of sweet peas, peppery radishes, and salty bacon is complemented by crunchy walnuts and zesty shallots that are mixed with a tart topping of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

The perfect counterbalance to your comforting main dish.

This light yet hearty salad can be served warm or cold, so you can put it together quickly on busy weeknight dinners.

4 – Crispy Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/175077504256377853/

What better to pair with braised red cabbage than crispy, golden-brown roast chicken?

To make it extra special, season your chicken breasts generously with garlic, herbs, and butter.

This creates a delicious and oozing creamy crust as you cook the bird.

Oven roasting leaves the center of this famous poultry dish juicy and tender – perfect for pulling apart and munching on together with your family or friends.

It’s sure to be an irresistibly comforting meal!

5 – Cilantro Lime Wings With Chipotle Ranch

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/377317275044301824/

These brined and then roasted wings offer the perfect balance between spicy and tart.

With a crunchy coating of toasted coconut, lime zest, fresh cilantro, and garlic powder, they’re simply irresistible.

Serve them with chipotle ranch for dipping as an ideal side dish for braised red cabbage – you won’t be able to get enough of this delicious combination!

6 – Fried Rice

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/68891069295359465/

Fried rice is a crockpot-free way to switch up traditional braised red cabbage.

Definitely a crowd-pleaser, you can substitute or mix and match your favorite ingredients according to what you have on hand.

Pair fried rice with the savory acidity of braised red cabbage for a hearty meal that’ll get nods of approval from your family and friends.

Sub in diced tofu instead of pork or chicken if desired for an easy vegetarian option.

And don’t forget the extra bonus: fried rice leftovers make excellent breakfasts afterward!

7 – Roasted Root Vegetables with Ranch Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/346425396349203529/

Root vegetables are a great vessel for all the delicious flavors of braised red cabbage.

Roast them in the oven with olive oil and herbs for extra browning and fullness of flavor.

The rich, earthy notes will go perfectly with the smoky sweetness of cooked red cabbage.

Serve this warm side dish with ranch sauce to add even more depth to its comforting profile.

Whether you use store-bought or homemade, this creamy condiment is sure to bring your meal together.

8 – Sautéed Green Beans

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/22025485670395778/

Pair braised red cabbage with a side of sautéed green beans for an added vegetable serving.

The crisp snap and freshness of the green beans add a lovely contrast to the cozy sweetness of the cabbage.

Plus, their subtle nutty flavor pulls out the warmth in ginger, coriander, or cumin you may have included in your recipe.

Bring together all the elements by topping off your veggie medley with some crispy fried shallots before serving it along with bread rolls or mashed potatoes.

9 – Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/7810999345943402/

To contrast the deep, smoky flavor of braised red cabbage, nothing beats a light and sweet medley of roasted carrots and parsnips.

What’s more, this side dish requires minimal prep time so you can get on with preparing the main course.

Seasoned with rosemary and garlic for earthy tones and a hint of sweetness, this classic root vegetable duo pairs conveniently with pork dishes in particular.

It also makes a great dinner choice even when there’s no large crowd to feed.

10 – Creamy Mashed Potatoes

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1407443625129765/

A classic family favorite, mashed potatoes are a welcome side for any sort of comfort food.

The creamy texture makes them a great accompaniment to the rich and savory flavors of braised red cabbage.

Add some butter, warm milk, and herbs before smashing them down with a sturdy wooden spoon or masher until they reach the desired consistency.

With each bite being both comforting and indulgent, this mash is definitely something that everyone in your family will love.

Conclusion

In conclusion, braised red cabbage is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes.

The best sides to serve with braised red cabbage are Chinese chicken salad, baked potato wedges, bacon pea salad, crispy garlic herb butter roast chicken, cilantro lime wings with chipotle ranch, fried rice, roasted root vegetables with ranch sauce, sautéed green beans, roasted carrots and parsnips, and creamy mashed potatoes.

These sides are all flavorful and easy to prepare, and will make sure that your braised red cabbage dinner is one to remember.

With these 10 side dishes, you’ll never run out of ideas for what to serve with braised red cabbage.