Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Savory and simple, this cabbage and bacon recipe pairs tender cabbage with smoky bacon for a flavorful side dish. It uses basic ingredients and comes together easily for a comforting addition to dinner.

With crisp bacon and cabbage cooked until tender, every bite has plenty of savory flavor. Serve it alongside chicken, pork, beef, or sausage for an easy vegetable side that works with many meals.

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I like making fried cabbage with bacon when I want a simple side dish that still brings plenty of flavor to the plate. Letting the bacon get crisp before adding the cabbage gives the dish a better mix of textures. It pairs especially well with a simple grilled chicken recipe when I want an easy dinner without a lot of extra prep.

I try not to cook the cabbage too long because I prefer it tender with a little texture rather than completely soft. The smoky bacon adds enough richness that the cabbage works well alongside heartier meats, including my braised short ribs. I turn to this recipe when I have extra cabbage to use because it transforms a basic vegetable into a side that feels like a real part of the meal.

Ingredients

Here is the full list of ingredients used in the recipe:

• cabbage
• bacon
• garlic
• onion
• apple cider vinegar
• honey
• salt and pepper
• Worcestershire sauce
• olive oil

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

Instructions

You'll want to chop the cabbage, bacon, and onions to start making this dish. Then gather the rest of the ingredients and equipment needed.

Fry bacon until crispy in a heated skillet.

Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.

In the same pan, sauté onions until translucent.

Add garlic and continue to sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add cabbage and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.

Drizzle on apple cider vinegar and honey. Add in Worcestershire sauce, if using. Continue to sauté until cabbage is soft and tender.

Just before removing from the heat, add cooked bacon.

Mix bacon in well.

Variations

• Swap the cabbage: Green cabbage works well, but Savoy cabbage can be used for a slightly softer, more delicate texture.
• Use turkey bacon: Replace regular bacon with turkey bacon for a different option. Since it produces less fat, you may need the olive oil for sautéing the onion and cabbage.
• Change the onion: Yellow, white, or sweet onion all work well. Shallots can also be used for a milder onion flavor.
• Replace the apple cider vinegar: White wine vinegar or red wine vinegar can work in its place. Start with a little less and adjust to taste.
• Swap the honey: Use maple syrup or a small amount of brown sugar if you want the subtle sweetness without honey. You can also leave the sweetener out entirely.
• Add some heat: Red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of hot sauce give the cabbage a spicy kick.
• Make it smoky: A small amount of smoked paprika can deepen the smoky flavor from the bacon.
• Add sausage: Sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa can turn the cabbage into a heartier dish that works well as a simple meal.
• Add more vegetables: Bell peppers, shredded carrots, or mushrooms can be sautéed with the onion for extra flavor and texture.
• Skip the Worcestershire: Since it's optional, you can simply leave it out or substitute a small splash of soy sauce for another layer of savory flavor.

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Tips

• Cut the cabbage into similar-sized pieces. This helps it cook evenly so you don't end up with some pieces too soft while others are still firm.
• Dry the cabbage well after washing. Excess water can cause the cabbage to steam rather than develop more flavor in the skillet.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan. If your skillet is small, add the cabbage gradually as it begins to wilt and make more room.
• Taste before adding salt. Bacon and Worcestershire sauce can both contribute plenty of salt, so you may need very little additional seasoning.
• Adjust the tenderness to your preference. Cook it a little less if you like cabbage with some bite, or give it more time for a softer texture.
• Add a splash of water if needed. If the pan becomes dry before the cabbage reaches your preferred tenderness, a tablespoon or two of water can help it finish cooking without adding more fat.
• Use a cast-iron skillet if you have one. It holds heat well and works especially nicely for this type of fried cabbage dish.
• Make only what you plan to serve. Fried cabbage has its best texture straight from the skillet, although leftovers can still be refrigerated and reheated.

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Storage

Let the cooked cabbage cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator and store it for up to four days.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply reheat them in a skillet over medium-high heat for about five minutes or until they reach your desired temperature.

If you want to freeze your leftovers, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag before transferring them to the freezer. They should keep for up to three months when stored properly.

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Recipe

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

5 from 6 votes

Treat yourself to this easy recipe for Southern fried cabbage. It is perfectly spiced and cooked with bacon, making it hard to resist.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings (Adjustable): 3

Calories: 236kcal

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Ingredients

• ▢ 3 cups cabbage roughly chopped
• ▢ 6 slices bacon I used low sodium
• ▢ 2 cloves minced garlic
• ▢ 1 small small onion finely chopped (about ⅓ cup)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ▢ ¾ tablespoon honey optional
• ▢ Kosher salt to taste
• ▢ ground black pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil optional

Instructions

• Cut bacon into bite-sized pieces, preferably 1 inch per piece.
• Lightly brush heated pan with oil, if using. Add bacon slices, allowing some space for each piece. Fry bacon to a crisp, in batches. Transfer to a paper lined plate. Set aside.
• Remove excess oil with bacon drippings from the pan. Reserve for later use. Retain 1 to 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings and resume heat of the pan.
• Sauté onions until translucent. Add garlic and continue to sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add cabbage and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Drizzle apple cider vinegar and honey. Add in Worcestershire sauce, if using. Continue to sauté until cabbage is soft and tender.
• Just before closing the heat, add cooked bacon. Mix well.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

The optional Worcestershire sauce makes this cabbage recipe more flavorful, adding that umami flavor with just a teaspoon to the entire dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 373mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

Equipment

large skillet

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