Ah, what’s Christmas without festive trimmings bubbling on the stove? The perfect red cabbage side can elevate your dinner to a whole new level of delicious, not to mention packing in plenty of vitamin C to ward off those winter sniffles. These recipes show how to cook red cabbage into a sweet and punchy addition to turkey, as well as using up those festive leftovers into fantastic treats for the post-Christmas lull.

Braised Red Cabbage

Sweet and sharp, this braised red cabbage recipe adds crunchy apples and soft brown sugar into the mix for a caramelised kick. The perfect blend of crushed juniper berries and bay leaves adds a fragrant touch to this beautifully balanced side which will have your guests asking for the recipe. Keep the festive spirit going after dinner by matching any left-overs with roast turkey and cranberry sauce for a hearty sandwich.

Spiced Red Cabbage

Let the festive smells of festive spices lure your guests to the dinner table with this vibrant red cabbage recipe. Slow-cooked for over an hour, tender red cabbage simply oozes festive flavour, with the dreamy combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper making this Christmas classic extra special. Red onions and apple along with red wine vinegar add a sweet bite that cuts through this rich dish perfectly.

And for the Left-Overs?

We doubt you’ll have any left-overs with these scrumptiously more-ish red cabbage recipes, but this wholesome vegetable is wonderfully versatile for post-Christmas feasts. Pickled red cabbage with peppercorns and bay leaves makes a punchy addition to a cheeseboard, spicy coleslaw with onions and carrots can be paired with cold cuts and salads, while Left-Over Turkey Pie makes for a thrifty meal for the whole family and goes perfectly with red cabbage.

Inspired by our festive red cabbage recipes? Check out our Christmas Inspiration.