Sweet and Sour Cabbage Stew – A Hearty Jewish Soul Food Classic
This Sweet and Sour Cabbage Stew is a flavorful, comforting one-pot meal that’s a true taste of Jewish soul food. The dish, reminiscent of cabbage borscht, offers a wonderful balance of savory beef stew meat, tangy chili sauce, and the natural sweetness of jellied cranberry sauce. Perfect for cold days or family gatherings, this recipe will fill your home with a rich aroma and leave everyone asking for seconds. It’s a tried-and-true classic that I’m sharing here before my recipe card crumbles away. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I have over the years.
Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 1 minute
- Servings: 4
- Category: One-Dish Meal
- Calories: 606.8 per serving
Ingredients
The ingredients for this hearty dish are simple yet bring together bold flavors that are sure to satisfy. Here’s what you’ll need:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cabbage (shredded or cut into chunks) | 1 medium head |
| Beef stew meat (cut into cubes) | 2 pounds |
| Chili sauce | 1 cup |
| Jellied cranberry sauce | 1 cup |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 606.8 |
| Total Fat | 10.8g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Cholesterol | 145.2mg |
| Sodium | 1393.2mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 74.5g |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.8g |
| Sugars | 59.2g |
| Protein | 54.6g |
Instructions
This dish is incredibly simple to prepare, and thanks to the slow cooker, you’ll have a delicious, flavorful stew waiting for you at the end of a long day. Here’s how to make it:
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Prepare the Cabbage: Begin by chopping or shredding the cabbage. You want the pieces to be large enough to hold their shape during the slow cook, but small enough that they’ll break down just a little as they cook. Place the cabbage in the bottom of your crock pot.
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Layer the Beef Stew Meat: Next, arrange the beef stew meat in a layer over the cabbage. Don’t worry if the pieces overlap or don’t cover the cabbage perfectly—this is a rustic dish, and it all blends together as it cooks.
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Add the Sauces: Pour the chili sauce and jellied cranberry sauce evenly over the beef and cabbage. The cranberry sauce adds a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that perfectly complements the savory beef and the heat from the chili sauce. Do not mix the ingredients; this will allow the stew to cook evenly, keeping the flavors separate until they meld together during the long cook time.
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Cover and Cook: Once all the ingredients are in the pot, cover the crock pot with its lid. Set your slow cooker to cook on low heat for 8 hours. This slow cooking time will allow the beef to become tender and juicy, while the cabbage absorbs the wonderful flavors of the sauce.
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Serve and Enjoy: After 8 hours, the stew will be ready to serve. The beef will be fork-tender, the cabbage will be infused with the sweet and sour sauce, and the entire dish will have a wonderful, comforting aroma. Ladle the stew into bowls and enjoy with some crusty bread or a side of mashed potatoes.
Tips and Variations
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Meat Substitute: If you don’t have beef stew meat or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute with chicken thighs or pork stew meat. Both options will work well with the flavors in the dish.
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Add-Ins: Feel free to get creative with add-ins! Some people like to toss in root vegetables such as carrots or potatoes, which can make the stew even heartier. Just be sure to chop them into bite-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate as the other ingredients.
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Spice Level: If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce along with the chili sauce to kick up the heat.
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Serving Suggestions: This stew pairs wonderfully with a side of buttery mashed potatoes or a simple green salad. It’s a one-dish meal, but adding a side dish can elevate it further.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Simple: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep work, this recipe is a breeze to prepare. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal without much effort.
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Flavorful: The balance of sweet and sour flavors from the cranberry sauce and chili sauce creates a unique and comforting taste that’s both familiar and exciting.
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Perfect for Meal Prep: Because it makes several servings, this stew is great for meal prep. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for later. The flavors actually improve as they sit, so you can enjoy the stew even more on day two.
This Sweet and Sour Cabbage Stew is more than just a meal—it’s a tradition. A heartwarming, flavorful dish that evokes the comfort of home-cooked Jewish soul food, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household. It’s simple, nourishing, and the kind of food that brings family together. Enjoy making this recipe, and feel free to experiment with your own twist.
