Cabbage and Dumplings: 9 Authentic Reasons This German Comfort Food Belongs on Your Table Recipe
This comforting German recipe features tender sautéed cabbage paired with soft, fluffy dumplings steamed directly in the flavorful cabbage mixture. Enhanced with traditional seasonings like caraway seeds and finished with butter and fresh herbs, this dish is a hearty and authentic addition to your table, perfect for cozy meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: German
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 medium green cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
Cooking Bases
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable broth or water
Dumplings
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk (plus more if needed)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for finishing)
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Cabbage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add the chopped cabbage, salt, black pepper, and optional caraway seeds. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes until the cabbage starts to soften. Then add ½ cup of vegetable broth or water, cover the pan, and let it simmer gently for another 10 minutes to fully tenderize the cabbage.
- Make Dumpling Dough: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1½ cups all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon salt. Add 1 large egg and ½ cup milk and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too thick, incorporate a bit more milk gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
- Cook Dumplings: Using a spoon, drop small spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly into the simmering cabbage mixture. Cover the skillet or Dutch oven tightly to trap the steam and cook the dumplings for 10 to 12 minutes until they are puffed and cooked through.
- Finish & Serve: Carefully stir in 1 tablespoon of butter into the cabbage and dumplings to enrich the flavor. Serve the dish hot, optionally garnished with freshly chopped parsley or chives for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Caraway seeds add a traditional German flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
- The dumpling dough should be somewhat soft but firm enough to hold shape when dropped into the cabbage.
- Use a wide pan or Dutch oven to allow enough space for the dumplings to cook evenly.
- Adjust seasoning and salt according to taste as the broth and butter add flavor richness.
- For a vegetarian version, use olive oil instead of butter and vegetable broth.
Keywords: cabbage dumplings, German comfort food, sautéed cabbage, traditional German recipe, easy dumplings
