This fried cabbage is cooked to tender perfection with bacon and onions. A super easy low carb side dish that’s perfect for any occasion!
Cabbage is such an underrated vegetable in my opinion – it’s inexpensive, available year round, and totally delicious! I also love to make other cabbage dishes like my flavorful cabbage roll soup and my tender and savory braised cabbage.
Cabbage is one of those things that most people never think to cook. Either you buy a bag of coleslaw mix or pick up a head of cabbage once a year on St. Patrick’s Day and make corned beef and cabbage, but otherwise the humble cabbage doesn’t typically make it onto the dinner table. I’m about to change that with this delicious fried cabbage. This simple preparation of is a classic Southern recipe that pairs green cabbage with bacon. After you try it, you’ll be eating cabbage every week!
If you whip up this side dish for St. Patrick’s day, try serving it with corned beef hash, an Irish mule or a shamrock shake.
Table of Contents
Fried Cabbage Ingredients
To cook fried cabbage you will need green cabbage, bacon, white onion, salt, black pepper, sugar and parsley.
How Do You Make Fried Cabbage?
This fried cabbage with bacon recipe starts with bacon. Chop up bacon and cook it in a large pan or skillet until crisp. A pile of diced onions go in with the bacon to cook in the bacon fat. Next, add chopped cabbage to the mix. Season with sugar, salt and black pepper. Cook everything together making sure to stir occasionally until the cabbage is tender. Add a little parsley and you’re ready to eat!
Tips For Fried Cabbage
- Don’t be tempted to buy a bag of pre-shredded cabbage for this dish. The cabbage should be cut into bite-size 1 inch pieces for the most authentic results.
- You can make Southern fried cabbage with different varieties of the vegetable, such as purple cabbage, Savoy cabbage and the traditional green cabbage.
- Fried cabbage makes great leftovers, so make a double batch and save some for the next day!
Quick Tip
Use a large pan or large skillet so that you can stir the cabbage as it cooks.
RECIPE FAQS
A cabbage core is typically tough and not optimal for eating, so you’ll want to remove your cabbage core before proceeding with the recipe. To core the cabbage, cut your cabbage head in half and use a knife to slice around the core to remove it.
Yes you should wash a cabbage before frying it. Remove the outer leaves and wash the cabbage in cold water. Make sure you dry the cabbage before cooking it!
To cut a cabbage for frying, remove the cabbage core and cut your cabbage into slices. Then further chop those slices into pieces that are about one inch squares. Try to cut the cabbage into pieces that are the same size so they cook evenly.
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Flavor Variations
- Spicy: Feel free to add a little spice by tossing in some crushed red pepper flakes while the cabbage is cooking.
- Flavorings: You might want to try a splash of apple cider vinegar on the cabbage for some extra zing! You can also add a little extra savory flavor by mixing in some garlic powder or onion powder when you place the cabbage in the skillet.
- Tender: You can soften the cabbage by adding a little chicken broth or water as it cooks.
- Bacon: Feel free to make this dish with turkey bacon or vegan bacon if you prefer. Make sure to add some oil to the pan if you choose those options.
- Meat: Don’t have bacon on hand? You can try another meat such as ham or smoked sausage. You’ll need to add some oil to the pan to compensate for the lack of bacon grease if you go that route.
This fried cabbage is so good that it’s earned a regular spot on our dinner rotation, even the kids devour it. Your family is sure to love it too!
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Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon coarsely chopped
- 1 white onion finely diced
- 1 head green cabbage cored and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned, 4-5 minutes.
- Add the onions to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they are translucent.
- Add the cabbage, sugar, salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is wilted. You may need to add a bit of water to help the cabbage along.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Notes
- You can make fried cabbage with different varieties of the vegetable, such as purple cabbage, Savory cabbage and the traditional green cabbage.
- Don’t be tempted to buy a bag of pre-shredded cabbage for this dish. The cabbage should be cut into bite-size 1 inch pieces for the most authentic results.
- Use a large pan or large skillet so that you can stir the cabbage as it cooks.
Made the cabbage and bacon and it was really 👍
Perfect composition of flavour and textures!
This super easy to make and flavorful cabbage is a perfect side dish for my family.
Delicious and easy side dish! Love that it goes with almost anything!
The bacon makes this cabbage amazing!
Easy and delicious. Made with turkey bacon. Very healthy and still delicious!
Quick, easy, and delicious! I added some red pepper flake for a little kick and served with malt vinegar as the condiment.
Very tasty something different we really enjoyed this try it if you like cabbage bacon potatoes
YOU WILL LOVE THIS DISH.
WE HAD IT WITH STEAK. BILL LONG
Very good thanks for the recipe really enjoyed it as a dinner very low weight
Wonderful! My boyfriend cooked tonight but I found your recipe! Lol! Thanks for a great dinner!
I HAVE COOKED THIS RECIPE FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, JUST LIKE MY GRANDMOTHER AND MOTHER ALWAYS COOKED.! YOU CAN ADD SO MANY DIFFERENT MEATS AND INGREDIANTS!!! MY FAMILY REALLY LOVES THIS SIMPLE COUNTRY DISH!!!
Surprised at how good this was! I’m doubling the recipe next time!
This recipe was really good and easy! I did use turkey bacon and it was yummy!
I’ve been making this forever but also add small fresh cauliflower florets (frozen works too) and smoked sausage can be included or served on the side. Sooo yummy and pretty healthy.
I put a few red pepper flakes in as well-love this dish!!!