red cabbage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “red cabbage” mean?
A type of cabbage with dark red-purple leaves, used as a vegetable, often pickled or used raw in salads.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of cabbage with dark red-purple leaves, used as a vegetable, often pickled or used raw in salads.
The term can sometimes refer to the specific cultivar of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) known for its colour and slightly peppery flavour when raw.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The vegetable is equally common in both cuisines.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is associated with hearty winter dishes, pickling, and coleslaw. It may have slightly more 'traditional' or 'homely' connotations compared to green cabbage.
Frequency
Slightly less common than 'green cabbage' or simply 'cabbage' in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “red cabbage” in a Sentence
[verb] + red cabbage: chop, shred, pickle, braise, eat[adjective] + red cabbage: shredded, pickled, braised, fresh, rawVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “red cabbage” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The braised red cabbage with apples is a classic accompaniment to roast goose.
- Could you pick up a red cabbage from the greengrocer's for the slaw?
American English
- The red cabbage in this coleslaw adds a great crunch and color.
- We need one small head of red cabbage for the recipe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of agriculture, wholesale food supply, or restaurant menu descriptions.
Academic
Used in botanical, agricultural, or nutritional science contexts.
Everyday
Common in cooking, shopping, and recipe discussions.
Technical
Specific cultivar name in horticulture: Brassica oleracea capitata rubra.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “red cabbage”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “red cabbage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “red cabbage”
- Using 'red cabbage' as an uncountable noun when referring to a whole vegetable (e.g., 'I bought a red cabbage' is correct, not 'I bought red cabbage' unless meaning an unspecified quantity).
- Confusing it with 'red kale' or 'red chard'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'red cabbage' and 'purple cabbage' are common names for the same vegetable. The leaves can appear more red or more purple depending on the soil pH.
Absolutely. It is often eaten raw in salads and coleslaws, where it provides a crunchy texture and vibrant colour.
Yes, cooking can cause it to turn bluish. Adding an acid like vinegar or lemon juice during cooking helps it retain its red-purple hue.
They are both highly nutritious. Red cabbage contains additional antioxidants called anthocyanins, which give it its colour and have health benefits.
A type of cabbage with dark red-purple leaves, used as a vegetable, often pickled or used raw in salads.
Red cabbage is usually neutral in register.
Red cabbage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌred ˈkæb.ɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌred ˈkæb.ɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the colour RED + the vegetable CABBAGE. It's simply a cabbage that is red.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not commonly metaphorical. Literal vegetable.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common culinary use for red cabbage?