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Fried cabbage with bacon is the ultimate low-carb comfort food that’s perfect as a side or a main because it’s quick, flavorful, and ready in minutes.
Deliciously seasoned tender fried cabbage and onions with crispy bacon is a family favourite. A quick one pot recipe suitable for any time of the year.
Warning, it is addictive!
Why This Fried Cabbage Works
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon recipe is quick and easy to make with ingredients that are most likely already in your pantry. The best part? It can be cooked all using one pan.
While we’ve done a savory Cabbage Soup with Beef before, this fried cabbage recipe is a lighter choice that might just become your next favorite comfort food.
Ingredients
- Cabbage: The main star of this fried cabbage recipe! You can either use green or red cabbage. I used green for a milder taste, but if you prefer a peppery, earthier taste, you can use red.
- Bacon: Using bacon gives it the true Southern taste that makes this recipe to die for.
- Chicken Buillon: To give it a deeper, meatier taste.
- Garlic: Use as much garlic as you heart desires, just make sure it’s fresh.
- Cajun Seasoning: I use Slap Ya Mama, but feel free to use one you already have on hand. You can replace it with a smoky, sweet or mild paprika, depending on your taste preference.
- Seasonings: In addition to Cajun seasoning, I use a mix if garlic powder and onion powder for additional flavor.
Note: please see recipe card at the bottom for list of full ingredients and measurements
Optional Add Ins
You can add a few other ingredients to fried cabbage to make it your own:
- Smoked sausage instead of bacon
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar (brown or white). For Keto readers, use a substitute sweetener, like Swerve or Natvia.
How to Make Fried Cabbage
There are so many different variations of fried cabbage online, but this is the recipe my family and I have loved for many years!
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate. Keep the bacon drippings in the pan for flavor.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add chopped onion to the bacon grease and cook for about 8 minutes, until golden and caramelized. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the cabbage: Stir in the cabbage and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning (or paprika).
- Finish and serve: Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and mix it into the cabbage until warmed through. Serve hot as a side or enjoy as a low-carb main dish.
When I make this dish at home, I like to pair it with simple roast dishes like my Juicy Oven-Roasted Pork Loin or Simple Crispy Roast Chicken to balance out the richness of the cabbage and bacon. But I also found that my mashed potatoes‘ creamy texture goes well with the crunchy fried cabbage with bacon.
Recipe FAQ’s
I love using a cast iron skillet for this recipe because nothing provides flavour while frying foods like a well-seasoned cast-iron, but if you don’t have a cast-iron pan, use a good quality nonstick pan to prevent the bacon from sticking.
While I personally like using bacon, you can use other meats. We recommend using smoked sausage as an alternative if you don’t like bacon as it gives a similar rich and umami flavor that goes well with cabbage.
Yes! You can reheat the fried cabbage with bacon in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, covered loosely. Microwave on medium for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway, until heated through.
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Fried Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced or chopped
- 1 green cabbage head or red cabbage, cored and sliced
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon or seasoned salt
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning I use Slap Ya Mama or smoky paprika
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to a plate with a slotted spoon. Do not discard bacon drippings.
- Sauté the onion in the bacon grease until the onion caramelizes (about 8 minutes). Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
- Stir in the cabbage and cook for a further 8 minutes while stirring occasionally. Season with the bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning (or paprika).
- Mix bacon into the cabbage to warm through and serve.
Notes
- Smoked sausage instead of bacon
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar (brown or white). For Keto readers, use a substitute sweetener, like Swerve or Natvia.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I just made this, I added shredded carrots and cayenne pepper to the original recipe. So good, will definitely make this on a regular basis from now on.
I love cabbage fried in bacon grease. I add a T of white sugar, a handful of boiled noodles and top it with shredded mild cheese. Even the young grandbabies eat it like candy ! It’s delicious! Slightly crunchy sweet and rich, a bit of salt and you have a meal.
I just made this for dinner, served with carrot sticks. I made it with smoked sausage, a pinch of sugar, and a splash of vinegar (my grandmother always did that.) Sooooo delicious and comforting!
Yummy for sure! Made mash potatoes with this and that was dinner. Very good! It would probably be great with noodles as well.
I had never made fried cabbage before but some one gave me a big head of it.
It was so good I had thirds, not just seconds.
I definitely would make it again.
I improvised and used Beyond Meat : Beyond Beef Crumbs Feisty. Can I tell you, I’m MIND BLOWN! I’m not a fan of cabbage. But, this right here… I’m def in love with! Thank you
Ricardo
I’m assuming Beyond Meat is a meat substitute for vegetarians. I like recipes but to much bacon in them for me now.
You don’t have to use bacon. Just substitute with butter.
Made this tonight for dinner. Yummy!
Making this today. We’re all social distancing. This will be great with my roast!
Yum! I love cabbage but have never had fried cabbage before (i think..?) but it looks so good! Now I want to run to the market to buy cabbage 🙂 😀
Have a nice Weekend!
This looks SOOOOO GOOOOD! Will try it with Smoked Sausage.
I made it the other day with a spicy chicken sausage and it rocked!!!
This was so good. It was my 1st time making. Even my kids who dont like cabbage said it could be added to the menu…. Great dish. Can not wait to try others.
Yummy!!!