Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (2024)

Fried cabbage with bacon can be a hearty side or a wholesome main dish!

This fried cabbage recipe is a simple, comforting classic loaded with crispy cabbage that soaks up the smoky flavors of the bacon.

It’s an easy and delicious one skillet dish that tastes great with roasted potatoes!

Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (1)

Best Fried Cabbage Recipe

  • Five ingredients, three steps, and one skillet get this dish from the stovetop to the tabletop in minutes!
  • Perfect for busy mid-week meals, southern fried cabbage tastes even better the next day for school or workday lunches!
  • Big families and big gatherings are no match for this budget-friendly, wholesome dish that everyone loves!
Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (2)

5 Ingredients Recipe

Cabbage – Green cabbage is the standard here, but any cabbage will do. A mix of green and red cabbage will make an extra colorful dish!

Bacon – Leftover bacon grease is perfect for cooking the cabbage and onions as it adds a smoky flavor. Pork bacon, turkey bacon, or even veggie bacon (a plant-based version of bacon) will add flavor while keeping the dish meat-free.

Variations – A sprinkle of parmesan cheese adds new flavor to cabbage with bacon and a dollop of sour cream before serving will make it a creamier, richer dish! Caraway or fennel seeds complement the other seasonings and will add a more rustic flavor as well. Any other kind of pork like ham, ground Italian sausage, or sliced summer sausage can be used, and leftover ground beef or shredded chicken will also work. Why not add some noodles for a tasty meal!

Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (3)
Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (4)
Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (5)
Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (6)

How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon can be a hearty side or a wholesome main dish!

  1. Cook bacon until crisp and remove pieces to drain on a paper towel.
  2. Saute onion until tender. Add cabbage and seasonings and cook until tender, as directed in the recipe card below.
  3. Stir in apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon before serving.

Tips And Tricks

  • Keep the cabbage extra crispy by using only a tablespoon of the bacon drippings. The key is to stir-fry the cabbage on high heat with a little oil.
  • To make ahead, prepare bacon and fried cabbage separately and keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to reheat.
  • Reheat the cabbage on the stovetop and the bacon in the microwave and combine them both before serving.
  • Add leftovers to other cabbage dishes like this cabbage roll casserole recipe.
Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (7)

Serving Suggestions for Fried Cabbage with Bacon?

Bulk up fried cabbage with bacon by serving it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or even on top of crispy Texas toast! Incorporate simple sides like a tangy, cherry tomato salad, or a cucumber radish salad. Add some easy dinner rolls and you’re all set!

More Easy Sides To Try

Baked Broccoli And Cheese Casserole

Side Dish Recipes

Oven Roasted Asparagus

Side Dish Recipes

Brussel Sprout Casserole

Side Dish Recipes

Have you tried this Fried Cabbage With Bacon recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!

Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (12)

4.50 from 8 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon with its bits of crispy bacon and flavoful cabbage is the perfect dish.

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Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Author Holly

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon , chopped
  • 1 small onion , diced
  • 8 cups cabbage chopped in 1" pieces
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • salt & pepper , to taste

Instructions

  • In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, reserve drippings, and set aside.

  • Add onion and 1 tablespoon of the reserved drippings and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.

  • Add cabbage and garlic powder and cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.

  • Sprinkle with bacon before serving.

4.50 from 8 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

©The Shortcut Kitchen. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cabbage crisp when cooking? ›

Once people started roasting them at a high heat, perhaps with a little extra salt and fat (like bacon), it was a game-changer. You can also try slicing cabbage thin and sautéing it to maintain some of its crunchy texture.

Is fried cabbage good to eat? ›

It pairs well with just about any protein and could even be served alongside pasta, casserole (like Broccoli Quinoa Casserole), or anything else you enjoy! Cabbage Is Good for You. Cabbage is a powerhouse of vitamins (particularly vitamin C), minerals, and antioxidants.

Why do you put baking soda in cabbage? ›

Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long.

How do you cook cabbage without making it soggy? ›

Insert a steamer basket inside a saucepan. Add enough water to the pan so the water level is just below the bottom of the basket. Bring water to a boil, then add cabbage wedges to the steamer basket. Cover and steam for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cabbage is crisp-tender.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

What's a good fried cabbage recipe? ›

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat; add bacon and season with salt and pepper. Cook until bacon is crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Add cabbage, onion, and sugar; cook and stir continuously until cabbage and onion are tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

Researchers have mapped the crystal structure of a key protein that makes the metabolites responsible for the bitter taste in Brassica vegetables like mustards, broccolis, and cabbages. Vegetables in the genus Brassica share a distinct and bitter taste.

Why do people add sugar to cabbage? ›

Sugar: Plain ol' granulated sugar, the amount also to taste. It brings out the subtle, natural sweetness of Southern Fried Cabbage.

How do you get rid of gas in cabbage? ›

Boil it. In general, cooking makes vegetables easier to digest, which can help reduce gas. To retain the nutrients in the cabbage that would be lost when you drain the water, try cabbage soup or Mexican cabbage roll soup.

Can you overcook cabbage? ›

The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it.

Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly. But the same sulfuric compounds that provide many of its health benefits can turn saboteur when overcooked, creating a pungent, unpleasant smell.

What does pouring salt into a cabbage do? ›

To ferment vegetables, such as cabbage, we take advantage of these two qualities – it's our golden ticket to fermentation! First, we add enough salt to make it difficult for competing microorganisms to survive. The salt then draws moisture out of the cabbage's cells through osmosis, forming a salty brine.

How do you keep cabbage crispy? ›

Place your cabbage in the crisper drawer and/or in a large plastic storage bag to hold in its natural moisture. – Don't cut it, ideally. When you cut a cabbage, it can start to brown and lose moisture much faster than a whole head.

Why is my cabbage tough on my cabbage rolls? ›

If your cooked cabbage is tough, it's likely because the cabbage is not cooked through yet. Continue to cook the rolls until they're tender. It's also important to make sure you let the rolls rest after they're finished baking.

How do you keep cooked vegetables crisp? ›

Don't Crowd the Pan.

Vegetables need to roast in a single layer without overlapping one another on the baking sheet. This will allow the air to circulate and crisp the outsides (otherwise, the veggies will steam and not crisp).

How to stop cabbage from browning? ›

Cut Cabbage: – Either wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, in a large plastic bag, or in an air-tight container in your crisper. This will help to lock in your cabbage's natural moisture and reduce oxidation.

Why is my cabbage soggy? ›

Not salting cabbage destined for slaw

Cabbage contains a high amount of water, and salting helps draw out some of this moisture from the cabbage leaves. This step can prevent your slaw from becoming too watery or soggy once you add the dressing. Excess moisture can dilute the flavors and make the slaw less appealing.

How long does cabbage last in the crisper? ›

Believe it or not, if a head of cabbage is stored properly, it can last for up to two months in your refrigerator. If you're not quite ready to use your head of cabbage, don't rinse it, put it in a plastic bag, and store it in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

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