Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a classic Southern comfort dish. Tender cabbage is sautéed with crispy bacon, onions, and garlic for a savory, slightly smoky flavor. It’s simple, hearty, and perfect as a side dish for many meals. 🥓✨
🥣 Ingredients
-
6 slices bacon, chopped
-
1 medium head cabbage, chopped
-
1 small onion, diced
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tablespoon butter (optional)
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
½ teaspoon paprika
-
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional additions:
-
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
-
1 teaspoon sugar (balances flavor)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Bacon
-
In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy.
-
Remove bacon and set aside, leaving about 1–2 tablespoons bacon grease in the pan.
2️⃣ Cook Onion and Garlic
-
Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
-
Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
3️⃣ Add the Cabbage
-
Add the chopped cabbage to the pan.
-
Stir well so it gets coated with the bacon grease.
4️⃣ Season
-
Add salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
-
Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally until cabbage is tender and slightly caramelized.
5️⃣ Finish
-
Stir the crispy bacon back into the cabbage.
-
Add butter or apple cider vinegar if desired for extra flavor.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
This dish pairs well with:
-
Cornbread 🌽
-
Fried chicken 🍗
-
Pork chops 🥩
-
Mashed potatoes
⭐ Tips
✔ Don’t overcrowd the pan—this helps cabbage caramelize instead of steam.
✔ For extra flavor, add smoked sausage slices.
✔ Leftovers taste even better the next day.
If you’d like, I can also share:
🥓 Cracker Barrel Style Fried Cabbage
🌭 Southern Cabbage with Bacon & Sausage
🥬 Garlic Butter Fried Cabbage (very popular).