Ribs with Cabbage and Red Wine

Welcome to a recipe that turns simple, rustic ingredients into a truly spectacular meal! Ribs with Cabbage and Red Wine is a classic comfort dish, perfect for a chilly evening or a hearty family dinner. The magic lies in the slow braising process, where the pork ribs become incredibly tender, and the cabbage soaks up all the rich, savory flavors. The addition of red wine and thyme creates a sophisticated aroma and a deep, complex taste that elevates the entire dish. It's a one-pan wonder that is both easy to prepare and deeply satisfying.

Cooking: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Quantity: 3 Servings
Per serving
Calories: 677 kcal
Proteins: 28 g
Fats: 54 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g

Ingredients for Ribs with Cabbage and Red Wine

  • 500 g pork ribs
  • 400 g white cabbage
  • 120 g onion
  • 100 ml dry red wine
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • salt, ground black pepper, vegetable oil

How to Cook Ribs with Cabbage and Red Wine

Hands cutting a rack of pork ribs into individual pieces on a cutting board.

Remove the thin membrane from the rack of ribs and cut them into individual ribs.

Close-up of pork ribs being scored with a knife to help with cooking.

Score the meat on the ribs diagonally.

Hands rubbing oil and black pepper into raw pork ribs.

Rub the oil in with your hands.


Meaty pork ribs that aren’t too fatty are the ideal choice for this dish. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the rib rack and cut the rack into individual ribs.

Score the meat on the ribs diagonally. You don’t need to cut deep, just a slight score to help with searing.

Sprinkle the prepared ribs with ground black pepper and drizzle with any neutral vegetable oil. Rub the oil in with your hands.

A pile of freshly shredded white cabbage on a cutting board.

Shred the cabbage into strips slightly less than half a centimeter wide.

Pork ribs searing in a hot skillet, turning golden brown.

Place the ribs in a hot skillet and quickly sear until golden brown.

Chopped onions being added to a skillet with searing pork ribs.

Turn the ribs over and add the finely chopped onion.


Remove the outer leaves from the head of cabbage. Shred the cabbage into strips about half a centimeter wide. Finely chop the onion.

A deep, heavy-bottomed skillet or a Dutch oven should be heated until very hot. Place the ribs in the hot skillet and quickly sear them until golden brown. There’s no need to add more oil, as it’s already on the meat, and some fat will render from the pork.

Turn the ribs over and add the finely chopped onion. Sauté the meat with the onion for a few minutes until the onion becomes translucent and soft. If you like, you can add a finely chopped garlic clove at this stage.

Shredded cabbage being added to the skillet with ribs and onions.

Add the shredded cabbage and season with salt to taste.

Red wine and dried thyme being added to the skillet with ribs and cabbage.

Then pour in the dry or semi-dry red wine and add the dried thyme.

A covered skillet simmering on the stove to braise the ribs and cabbage.

Cover the dish again and cook on low heat for about another hour.


Add the shredded cabbage and season with salt to taste. Cover with a lid and cook over low heat for about half an hour.

After half an hour, when the cabbage has softened, give it a stir. Then, pour in the dry or semi-dry red wine and add the dried thyme. Fresh thyme will also work well.

Cover the dish again and continue to cook on low heat for about another hour. During this time, the cabbage will become very tender and soak up the juices, and the meat will be falling off the bone.

The finished dish of ribs and cabbage in a bowl, being garnished with parsley.

Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley leaves and sprinkle with ground black pepper.


For the last 10 minutes, cook uncovered over a fairly high heat to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Serve the ribs with cabbage braised in red wine hot. Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley leaves and a sprinkle of ground black pepper. A sour cream and herb sauce or toasted white breadcrumbs make a delicious accompaniment to this dish.

And there you have it – a wonderfully aromatic and flavorful dish of ribs and cabbage, slow-cooked to perfection. The meat should be so tender it practically melts in your mouth, and the cabbage, infused with wine and thyme, is the perfect savory counterpart. Don't forget the finishing touches! A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a burst of color and freshness. For an extra layer of texture and flavor, serve it with a dollop of sour cream sauce or some crunchy toasted breadcrumbs. We hope you enjoy this comforting and delicious meal with your loved ones. Bon appétit!