Skip to content

Meat, South and mountains

Sausages with red cabbage and chestnuts

Sausages with red cabbage and chestnuts is a simmered dish for 4 people, ready in 1 hour, rated easy, for about €2.50 per serving. The key is cooking the red cabbage slowly, covered, with vinegar, which keeps its color and softens it while it stays slightly crisp, while apples and chestnuts add sweetness.

Golden sausages simmered with red cabbage, chestnuts, and apples, a colorful, fragrant fall dish.

Sausages with red cabbage and chestnuts
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.50
Calories per person
670 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

The red cabbage simmers slowly with golden sausages, tender apples, and chestnuts that bring their mealy texture and sweet flavor. The vinegar balances the sweetness of the cabbage and fruit, and the chicken broth seasons everything without weighing down the sauce. It's a dish that fills the kitchen with the smell of fall as soon as it starts simmering.

This is the kind of dish to make on a Sunday evening, when you have an hour to spare and want the house to smell wonderful. Kids love the sausages and the soft apple pieces, and the chestnuts make it feel a little festive without being complicated. Mon Chou suggests it as soon as the weather turns cold, as a change from the usual sausages and mash.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Toulouse sausages 6

Fruits and vegetables

  • Red cabbage 0.5
  • Apples 2
  • Onion 1

Pantry

  • Vacuum packed cooked chestnuts 200 g
  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Chicken brothoften in the pantry 20 cl
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 20 g

The step by step recipe

  1. Thinly slice the red cabbage and onion, peel the apples and cut them into wedges.

    Remove the tough core from the cabbage.

  2. Brown the sausages in a Dutch oven, then set them aside. 8 min

    Prick them so they don't burst.

  3. In the same pot, cook the onion and cabbage with the butter, then add the vinegar and broth. 10 min

    Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

  4. Add the apples, chestnuts, and return the sausages to the pot. 35 min

    Cover and cook over low heat.

  5. Adjust the seasoning and serve hot.

    Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes if the liquid looks too thin.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm sausages, like Toulouse style, and prick them before cooking so they don't burst and release their fat too fast.
  • Cut the red cabbage into thin, even strips so it cooks evenly and keeps a slight crunch.
  • Taste the cooking liquid before serving, the vinegar and broth should balance each other without overpowering the sweetness of the apples and chestnuts.

The variations

  • Swap the Toulouse sausages for smoked sausages or hot dogs for a quicker version that kids tend to love.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the sausages with plant based sausages and the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
  • Stir a handful of raisins or a little honey into the cabbage for an even sweeter version that works well for young kids.

What to serve it with

  • Steamed or mashed potatoes
  • Toasted country bread
  • A glass of dry cider

Storage

This dish keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well once cooled, in an airtight container. Reheat it gently in a skillet or saucepan, adding a splash of water if needed.

Questions about this dish

Can I use fresh chestnuts instead of vacuum packed cooked chestnuts?

Yes, but you'll need to cook and peel them first, which takes more time. Vacuum packed chestnuts are ready to use and give just as tender a result.

Can this dish be made ahead?

Yes, the red cabbage with apples and chestnuts actually tastes even better reheated the next day. Cook it fully, then gently warm it through before serving.

What sausage should I use if I can't find Toulouse sausages?

Country style sausages or chipolatas work well. Avoid very thin sausages, since they can dry out during the 35 minute simmer.

Why add vinegar to red cabbage?

Vinegar helps red cabbage keep its bright color during cooking, otherwise it turns a dull purple. It also adds a bit of tang that balances the sweetness of the apples and chestnuts.

How long does it take to make sausages with red cabbage and chestnuts?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in sausages with red cabbage and chestnuts?

About 670 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does sausages with red cabbage and chestnuts cost?

About €2.50 per serving, or €10.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

Cuisine from the South and the mountains

See all

Recipes with pork

See all