Fried Cabbage

Fried Cabbage: The Perfect Side Dish

Get ready to wow your tastebuds with this simple and tasty fried cabbage recipe. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal and will quickly become a favorite. It is the perfect side dish for roasted chicken, grilled bratwurst, smoked sausage, and ham steak.  

My family and I love cabbage. We are one crazy cabbage-loving family. It is just so nutritious, versatile, delicious, and quite economical. If you love cabbage like we do, try braised cabbage, cabbage soup, cabbage stir fry, and cabbage rolls.

Fried Cabbage Ingredients

For this recipe, you need bacon, butter, yellow onion, green cabbage, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and, if desired, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.

How to make Fried Cabbage

Start by browning your slices of bacon until crisp. You can do this either in a large skillet, a large cast-iron skillet, or in the oven. Do whatever is easier for you, but reserve the bacon grease. Next, chop the browned bacon. Then melt a little butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the reserved bacon grease. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add the bacon to the skillet and stir to combine with butter and onions. Increase to medium-high heat and add the cabbage. Cook until tender, stirring several times to ensure it does not burn and cooks evenly. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and, if desired, a little Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.

Recipe Tips

• If available, use nitrate-free smoked bacon. It is healthier and tastes better.
• Reserve the bacon grease and add it to the skillet with the butter.
• Slice your cabbage thin to cook evenly, and soak up all that good butter and bacon grease.
• Are you in a big hurry and have to get supper on the table? No problem. Chop the raw bacon and place it in the skillet over medium heat. Cook it for 2-3 minutes, stirring several times, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Then add the butter and onions and cook as directed. The bacon will not be as crispy, but it will still be delicious.
• Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for a zippy tang.
• Serve this dish promptly. If held in the skillet too long, the cabbage will overcook.
• We like our cabbage with just a bit of crispiness and structure left, but you can adjust the cooking time to your preference for texture.

Recipe Variations

• Add 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning and a pinch of cayenne for some spice and pizzazz.
• Add a little sweetness with 2 pinches of brown sugar and 2 cloves of minced garlic.
• Make it a complete meal with thin slices of Polska Kielbasa or all-natural chicken sausage.
• For more color and nutrition, chop some red, orange, or yellow bell pepper and add them at the same time as the chopped onion.
• To reduce the saturated fat, use turkey bacon or vegan bacon. Omit the butter and bacon grease. Cook the onion and cabbage in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Storage and Reheat

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be reheated in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.

To freeze fried cabbage, fully cool it, then store it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

More delicious cabbage recipes you will love!