Fried Cabbage With Bacon (Southern Comfort Food)

Name: Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 12 oz thick-cut bacon (pork or turkey bacon, about ½ inch or smaller); 1 small onion (thinly sliced); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1 head of cabbage (cored and cut into 2-inch pieces); 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (packed); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons salted butter

Simple, quick, and delicious, this Southern comfort food - fried cabbage with bacon and onions is simply delicious!

If you love cabbage recipes, I have a delicious collection of 40+ Best Cabbage Recipes (featuring both green and red cabbage recipes).

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Ingredients

You can also use sauerkraut in place of regular cabbage in this recipe.

📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.

How To Make Fried Cabbage

Cook the bacon. In a large cast-iron Dutch oven or skillet, cook bacon until crispy over medium heat for 12-15 minutes.

Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

Or you can also cook bacon in the oven.

Saute onion and garlic. Add onions to the skillet with the remaining bacon grease (you can keep it all, but I prefer discarding some for a healthier option and to let the bacon absorb smoky flavors) and cook until translucent.

Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

Add cabbage and more flavor. Add the chopped cabbage, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, seasoned salt, and black pepper.

Saute. Stir to combine and saute for 7-10 minutes and until cabbage becomes tender.

Return the crispy bacon back to the pan.

Serve! Stir in the butter, taste for seasoning and serve while warm.

Leftover cabbage can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat on the stove.

Related: Old Fashioned Cabbage Casserole

Looking for more cabbage recipes? Try our Cabbage Roll Casserole, quick Chicken and Cabbage next!

Recommended Equipment

Measuring Cups and Spoons - measure like a pro.
A good old non-stick skillet or a wok is a must!

Tips

You can cook bacon in strips and crumble later, but dicing it beforehand slightly reduces the overall cooking time.
Great tips on how to cut cabbage like a pro.
Sauteed cabbage typically cooks quickly, around 7-10 minutes when chopped into 2-inch bite-size pieces. Watch it closely to avoid overcooking.
Fresh garlic is indispensable; no substitute matches its flavor. While you can use garlic powder, it won't be the same. Feel free to use extra fresh garlic, beyond the recipe instructions.

Avoid overcooking the cabbage; aim for a tender, not soggy texture with a bit of crunch.

What To Serve With Fried Cabbage?

Cabbage goes well with everything from pork chops and beef to lamb, chicken, and other poultry.
You can even call it a meal! Serve this fried cabbage with bacon as it is, instead of the main course. We love to add cooked quinoa or rice into the mix!
Paired with a side salad and dinner rolls makes everything even better.

Freezing And Storing Instructions

To Store. Properly stored this dish will keep in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
To Reheat on the stove. You may need to add some warm water or some extra butter if it's dry.
To Freeze. Freeze for 2 months but the cabbage will not be as crisp after thawing as when freshly made.
To make it ahead, you can cook the bacon 1-2 days before and chop the cabbage 3-4 days before.

Variations

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Include cooked grains like rice, quinoa, or your favorite (pasta works too, reminiscent of the Polish dish Haluski.
Add veggies - sweet bell peppers. Dice it medium thick and add it together with onion.
Go meatless - omit bacon and simply cook everything in olive oil. If you want to add protein, white beans will work amazingly here.

Before You Head Out

If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️

Recipe Card

Julia

Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe

5 from 10 votes

Simple, quick, and delicious, this fried cabbage with bacon and onions is the ultimate Southern comfort food. The cabbage is sauteed until tender with garlic, onion, and salty bacon fat. A little seasoning goes a long way and you have the perfect and ridiculously cheap side dish ready to accompany any main course.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Servings: 6 side dish servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 328

Ingredients Method Nutrition Video

Ingredients

12 oz thick-cut bacon pork or turkey bacon, about ½ inch or smaller
1 small onion thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves minced
1 head of cabbage cored and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons salted butter

Method

In a large cast iron dutch oven or large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy over medium heat for about 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Or you can easily cook bacon in the oven.
In the same skillet with leftover bacon grease (you can leave all in but I prefer discarding half of it or a little more just to make it a little healthier and enough for bacon to pick up the smoky flavors) add onions and cook until translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the chopped cabbage, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and saute for 7-10 minutes and until cabbage becomes tender.
Return the crispy bacon to the pan. Sti in the butter, taste for seasoning, and serve while warm.
Leftover cabbage can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat on the stove.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 9gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 438mgPotassium: 411mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 287IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 1mg

Video

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FAQs

How do you know when cabbage is done cooking?

Cabbage is ready when it becomes tender, but the degree depends on the dish and personal preference.

I prefer cabbage tender yet still crisp, especially in this Fried Cabbage and Bacon recipe.

What can I add to cabbage for flavor?

Cooking cabbage in bacon fat adds smokiness and saltiness.
Seasoned with garlic, onions, and a touch of brown sugar, it's perfectly flavored.

You can customize with additional seasonings like sweet or smoked paprika, cayenne, or hot sauce, but don't omit the garlic!

Is cabbage good for you?

If you want to improve your digestive health, fiber-rich cabbage is the way.

This crunchy vegetable is full of gut-friendly insoluble fiber, which helps keep the digestive system working like a clock! I love how incredibly healthy this veggie is.

How long does it take to cook cabbage?

Cabbage usually cooks fairly quickly. If you cut it into 2-inch pieces, it should take you about 10 minutes to cook.

By this time, the cabbage should be more tender but still have some crunch. To achieve more tenderness, cook it for longer, 15-20 minutes.

Is cooked cabbage supposed to be crunchy?

It should soften during cooking (any method) but maintain its shape.

However, the desired tenderness may vary based on the dish; you might prefer a softer cabbage for soups.

Add ample oil to the skillet and stir-fry over medium-high heat to cook it crispy.

Can cabbage be frozen for later use?

In theory, you can freeze fresh cabbage for later use. However, it won't be as crisp after defrosting as when fresh or stored in the fridge. However, it is ideal for cooking in soups and stews.

Cut it into cubes or grate it and store it in a freezer-safe container with a tightly sealed lid. Freeze for up to a month.