Best German Cabbage Salad

German Salad ready for serving
German Salad ready for serving

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When I started working, I faced a common dilemma: I often skipped breakfast due to time constraints. It was a messy situation, and I would end up waiting until lunchtime to satisfy my hunger. Luckily, a dear friend suggested a tempting and tasty German cabbage salad recipe that changed my mornings forever. Initially, I was skeptical about the flavor. Still, after enjoying its taste, I became a huge fan of this delectable salad. From that moment on, I have relished this scrumptious salad every weekend.

Not only is this German salad recipe an excellent choice for breakfast, but it is also effortless to double up and perfect for special occasions and potlucks. As a salad enthusiast, I suggest experimenting with other mouth-watering salads, such as creamy Vegan Greek Pasta Salad or a vibrant Mexican Salad. Follow this amazing German cabbage salad recipe with dressing to leave a lasting impression on your family and friends. It will make your mornings and special occasions more delightful and captivating.

A close view of German Salad

Why would you like The German Cabbage Salad?

  • It tastes incredible when you serve it cold.
  • Each ingredient of this salad feels like it complements the other.
  • You can serve this salad 365 days a year.
  • The salad contains vitamins A and C that benefit human health, like lowering blood pressure and improving the immune system.
  • It’s light and fresh flavors make it popular in occasions like parties and gatherings,
  • Quick and easy-to-make salad you can make for a quick potluck, or a vegan potluck party because you only need to cut and assemble the vegetables.
  • You can make this freezer-friendly recipe any time of the day.
German Salad Ingredients

Ingredients For German Cabbage Salad

  • 350-400gm chopped green cabbage
  • 350-400gm chopped red cabbage
  • 1 large chopped red tomato
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1/2 lemon juice
  • 1/2 chopped red onion
  • 1 medium size yellow pepper
  • 40-gram mayonnaise
  • 1 English cucumber
  • 30-gram mustard
  • Salt and pepper according to taste
  • 80-gram sour cream
  • 1 Apple
German Salad on a serving plate

Ingredient Notes and Variations

Red Or Yellow Peppers

Yellow peppers are the most colorful ingredient, adding spicy flavors to the salad. If you do not have them, you can use red peppers.

Red and Green Cabbage

Cabbage is the main ingredient of this salad. It adds healthy and lush flavors to the salad; you can use red cabbage if you do not have green cabbage. But if you have both, using them will be perfect for crunchiness.

Apples, Carrots, and Cucumbers

Adding apples to the salad will add a sweet and delicious taste. If you like some sweetness in the salad, grab one or two apples and cut them into smaller pieces.

Carrots are optional in the salad, but if you like them, you can add them for healthy vision and heart disease reduction. And if you like carrots, give Bombay carrot salad, and French carrot salad a quick try.

You can add cucumbers to the salad. Actually, the German cabbage salad is incomplete without this ingredient. They are juicy and healthy, so adding them will keep you hydrated. You can buy them from a nearby grocery store. Make sure to buy fresh ones.

Red or Yellow Tomatoes

This recipe is especially famous for red tomatoes because they have a waxy texture. Their texture holds the shape of the tomatoes. You can use yellow as an alternative if you do not have red tomatoes.

Dijon Mustard

You can easily find Dijon from the nearby market. But if you have it in your kitchen, swap it for mustard. The combination of both will highlight all flavors of salad.

Lemon Juice, Mayonnaise And Sour Cream

Lemon juice will add a sour and citrusy taste to the whole salad, making it yummier for the eaters. Adding lemon juice is essential; otherwise, your salad will be nothing without it.

Adding low-fat vegan mayonnaise or sour cream to the salad will make it creamier and more flavorful. You can make homemade mayonnaise with eggs, olive oil, black pepper, lemon juice, and light sugar.

Seasoning And Herbs

While making the German cabbage salad, seasonings like salt, pepper, and fresh parsley are a must. Add them to the salad according to your taste and choice.

How to Make the German Cabbage Salad?

German Salad Ingredients

Step 1: Wash the Vegetables

  • Firstly, put all the vegetables in a big basket and wash them thoroughly.
  • Washing the vegetables will remove all the dust and make them clean.
cutting cucumber
cutting apples for making Salad

Step Two: Cut and Slice the Veggies

  • Cut green cabbage, red cabbage, and onion using a cutting board and my favorite sharp knife.
  • Cut yellow pepper, apple, and tomato into smaller bits.
  • Take a cucumber and slice it half diagonally. Now cut it horizontally for finer pieces.
  • Shred the carrot using the best vegetable chopper. I love using Good Grip Veggies Grater which is highly durable and grates veggies evenly.
Vegetables for German Salad

Step 2: Assemble the Vegetables

  • Take a big bowl and assemble all the vegetables in it.
  • Assemble the vegetables well to make their flavors mix.
dressing over German Salad

Step 3: Add the Dressing and Seasonings to The Salad

  • After assembling the vegetables, add lemon juice to them.
  • Make a dressing using mayonnaise or sour cream, Dijon mustard, finely shredded garlic, and all other seasonings like salt and pepper.
  • Add these well-mixed ingredients to the salad and thoroughly mix them.
mixing German Salad ingredients

Step 4: Serve the Salad

  • After making the entire salad, transfer it to the serving dish.
  • You can also use parsley for garnishing and serve immediately.
  • You can serve it as a side dish with any other dish; it tastes good.
German Salad for serving

Tips to Make the Best German Cabbage Salad

  • Place the salad in the fridge for 4 hours after assembling to give enough time for the salad to develop its flavors fully.
  • You might notice that the topping becomes a little watery. If you do not want a watery topping, season the cucumber slices with salt for some time before adding them to the topping.
  • The secret of making the best German cabbage salad is finely sliced thin cucumber. The finer the slices are, the tastier they will be.
  • Cut the slices translucent; you can use a mandoline slicer to slice the cucumber.
  • Add the thin onion and garlic minced clove to the salad. If you are not a big fan of garlic, then you can skip it.
  • English cucumbers are best for this salad because of their texture. Don’t peel them; you can also use regular cucumber as an option.

How to Store the German Cabbage Salad?

  • The Leftover German cabbage salad can be stored in airtight containers and in the fridge for five days.
  • If there is leftover after enjoying the salad, you can eat it cold by placing it in the fridge.
  • After taking the leftover from the fridge, leave the salad for 30 minutes to allow it to sit, then enjoy it at room temperature.

How To Freeze the German Cabbage Salad?

  • If you dislike warm salad, place it in the fridge for 4 hours and then eat it colder.
  • If you have leftovers and want to freeze them for later, remove the salad dressing because the cucumber on the dressing will become watery.
  • After removing the dressing, place the salad in the freezer.
  • Remember that you cannot freeze the salad for over 5 days; it will go bad afterward.

Reheating Instructions

  • The German cabbage salad is best served warm immediately after making it. If you have made the dish one day before the occasion, reheat it before serving.
  • To reheat the dish, place it into the oven after covering it with foil.
  • Set the heating of the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • After 30 minutes of keeping it in the oven, it might take longer.
  • After reheating the salad, serve it to the guests immediately.

Alternative Ingredients

  • Add 2 Tbsp olive oil if you want to make the dessert healthy.
  • You can add mayonnaise to a salad if you like a creamy salad.
  • Potatoes are better for adding more flavors.
  • Yellow pepper makes the salad a little spicy, so add them instead of red ones if you do not have them.
  • Apple cider vinegar also tastes better to add some sweetness.
  • Onion can also be added to the salad to make it healthy.

Alternative Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can German Cabbage Salad stay good?

You can place the leftover German cabbage salad in the fridge for 4-5 days. The dressing will absorb the salad while refrigerating, so you will notice that the dressings become drier with days. You can save some extra dressing for later or remove the dressing before refrigerating the salad.

Where did German Cabbage Salad originate?

The German Cabbage Salad originated in Swabia, the southern part of Germany. Other cabbage salad recipes in Germany have some mayonnaise or sour crème flavors.

Can you place the leftover German Cabbage Salad at room temperature?

Yes, you can place the German cabbage salad at room temperature, but not for more than 2 days. Eat the leftover salad within two days. But if you do not eat it within 2 days, do not. You can place it in the refrigerator for five days maximum, but not more than that.

German Salad for serving

Best German Cabbage Salad

Muhammad Kashif
German Cabbage Salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish. This salad bursts with flavor and is made with thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and a tangy dressing, perfect for any occasion.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Salad
Servings 6 persons

Ingredients

  • 400 g chopped green cabbage
  • 400 g chopped red cabbage
  • 1 large chopped red tomato
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ chopped red onion
  • 1 medium size yellow bell pepper
  • 40 g mayonnaise
  • 1 English cucumber
  • 30 g mustard
  • 80 g sour cream
  • 1 Apple
  • Salt and pepper according to taste

How to Make?

  • Wash the vegetables and assemble them in a large bowl.
  • Mix onions, salt, pepper, mustard, garlic, apple, carrot, cucumber, and cabbage.
  • Make sure to add the seasonings according to taste. You can also add two tablespoons of olive oil to make the ingredients not stick to each other.
  • Add the mayonnaise or sour cream to the salad to add creaminess to the German salad.
  • Transfer the dish to a serving dish. The German Cabbage Salad is ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 7gFat: 14gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 300mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7g
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Muhammad Kashif is a passionate chef and a talented writer who has dedicated his life to the world of culinary arts. With years of experience, he shares insights on the latest kitchen gadgets and appliances, alongside delicious and easy-to-follow recipes for any skill level. Join Muhammad on his culinary journey and discover new ways to make your kitchen the heart of your home.