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–+ servings
Bright pink Turkish pickled red cabbage served on a white plate, with lemon, garlic and jars of pickled cabbage in the background.
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Turkish Pickled Red Cabbage

This Turkish pickled red cabbage is bright, tangy and crunchy, just like the one you get at Turkish kebab shops. It’s made with vinegar, lemon juice and garlic, with no brine to boil, and is ready to eat in just an hour.
Yields: 3 jars (500 ml)
PREP 10 minutes
COOK 0 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
TOTAL 1 hour 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS
  

  • 1 red cabbage about 1 kg (2.2 lb)
  • 30 g sea salt or rock salt about 2 tablespoons
  • 100 ml grape vinegar about ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon (see note)
  • 80 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice ⅓ cup, from about 2 large lemons
  • 4 cloves garlic grated

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Remove outer leaves from the cabbage and rinse it well. Cut it in half and slice with a sharp knife. Don't slice it too thin. When you get to the firmer core, simply slice it a little thinner and add it too.
  • Place the sliced cabbage in a large bowl.
  • Add salt, vinegar, lemon juice and grated garlic.
  • Using your hands, massage the cabbage firmly for about 2-3 minutes, until it softens and starts to release some of its juices. Taste at this point and add a little more salt if needed, then massage again briefly.
  • Pack the cabbage tightly into clean jars, pressing it down well so there are no large air gaps.
  • Pour any liquid remaining in the bowl evenly over the cabbage in the jars. Close the jars with their lids.
  • The pickled cabbage can be eaten after about 1 hour, but for the best flavor, refrigerate it for 24 hours before serving. The flavors will have more time to develop.
  • Keep refrigerated and use within 10 days.

NOTES

In Türkiye, grape vinegar (üzüm sirkesi) is commonly used for pickled red cabbage. In the UK, we've found red wine vinegar to be the closest substitute, and we make this recipe with either one. Both work really well. Apple cider vinegar can also be used if that's what you have.

NUTRITION

Calories: 106kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 3953mgPotassium: 730mgFiber: 7gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 3127IUVitamin C: 173mgCalcium: 144mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

ADDITIONAL INFO

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Turkish
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