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Plated serving of homemade cabbage salad on a white plate.

German White Cabbage Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
A crisp, glossy German white cabbage salad made with finely shredded cabbage and a sweet-and-sour dressing. Wonderful as a side dish and especially delicious in sandwiches and rolls.
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Ingredients
 

For the salad

  • ½ small to medium white cabbage, finely shredded (about 400–500 g prepared weight)

For the dressing

  • 1 very small onion or 1 French shallot finely chopped
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar 125 mls
  • ⅓ cup white sugar 70 grams
  • ½ cup neutral oil 125 mls
  • ½ teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt (or a stick of celery grated if celery salt is not available)

Instructions
 

Prepare the cabbage

  • If time allows, remove the core from the cabbage and soak the cabbage in cold water for 1 hour to crisp it up well. Weight it down if needed. Whilst the cabbage is soaking you can make the dressing.
  • Drain thoroughly and dry well.
  • Shred the cabbage very finely and place into a large bowl.

Make the dressing:

  • Place the chopped onion or shallot into a small saucepan.
  • Add vinegar, sugar, oil, mustard seeds, salt, and celery salt.
  • Bring gently to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  • As soon as it reaches the boil, remove from heat.
  • Pour into a jug and allow to cool completely.

Finish the salad:

  • Pour the cooled dressing over the shredded cabbage.
  • Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can also use celery seed in place of celery salt; if you do, simply increase the salt to 1 teaspoon.
  • Keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days.
  • Excellent served with crumbed chops, schnitzels, grilled meats, or tucked into sandwiches and rolls. It also makes a lovely addition to salads and homemade coleslaw.
  • Traditionally in Germany this salad is often dressed more generously, but this version uses the dressing more lightly as a fresh salad dressing. If you prefer a more heavily dressed salad, feel free to double the dressing quantity.