Fried Cabbage With Bacon Recipe (2024)

Fried cabbage with bacon can be a hearty side or a wholesome main dish!

This fried cabbage recipe is a simple, comforting classic loaded with crispy cabbage that soaks up the smoky flavors of the bacon.

It’s an easy and delicious one skillet dish that tastes great with roasted potatoes!

Best Fried Cabbage Recipe

Five ingredients, three steps, and one skillet get this dish from the stovetop to the tabletop in minutes!
Perfect for busy mid-week meals, southern fried cabbage tastes even better the next day for school or workday lunches!
Big families and big gatherings are no match for this budget-friendly, wholesome dish that everyone loves!

5 Ingredients Recipe

Cabbage – Green cabbage is the standard here, but any cabbage will do. A mix of green and red cabbage will make an extra colorful dish!

Bacon – Leftover bacon grease is perfect for cooking the cabbage and onions as it adds a smoky flavor. Pork bacon, turkey bacon, or even veggie bacon (a plant-based version of bacon) will add flavor while keeping the dish meat-free.

Variations – A sprinkle of parmesan cheese adds new flavor to cabbage with bacon and a dollop of sour cream before serving will make it a creamier, richer dish! Caraway or fennel seeds complement the other seasonings and will add a more rustic flavor as well. Any other kind of pork like ham, ground Italian sausage, or sliced summer sausage can be used, and leftover ground beef or shredded chicken will also work. Why not add some noodles for a tasty meal!

How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon can be a hearty side or a wholesome main dish!

Cook bacon until crisp and remove pieces to drain on a paper towel.
Saute onion until tender. Add cabbage and seasonings and cook until tender, as directed in the recipe card below.
Stir in apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle with crumbled bacon before serving.

Tips And Tricks

Keep the cabbage extra crispy by using only a tablespoon of the bacon drippings. The key is to stir-fry the cabbage on high heat with a little oil.
To make ahead, prepare bacon and fried cabbage separately and keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to reheat.
Reheat the cabbage on the stovetop and the bacon in the microwave and combine them both before serving.
Add leftovers to other cabbage dishes like this cabbage roll casserole recipe.

Serving Suggestions for Fried Cabbage with Bacon?

Bulk up fried cabbage with bacon by serving it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or even on top of crispy Texas toast! Incorporate simple sides like a tangy, cherry tomato salad, or a cucumber radish salad. Add some easy dinner rolls and you’re all set!

More Easy Sides To Try

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Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon with its bits of crispy bacon and flavoful cabbage is the perfect dish.

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Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Equipment

Large Skillet

Ingredients

▢ 6 slices bacon , chopped
▢ 1 small onion , diced
▢ 8 cups cabbage chopped in 1" pieces
▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
▢ salt & pepper , to taste

Instructions

In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, reserve drippings, and set aside.
Add onion and 1 tablespoon of the reserved drippings and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
Add cabbage and garlic powder and cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle with bacon before serving.

4.50 from 8 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

©The Shortcut Kitchen. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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FAQs

How do you keep cabbage crisp when cooking? ›

Once people started roasting them at a high heat, perhaps with a little extra salt and fat (like bacon), it was a game-changer. You can also try slicing cabbage thin and sautéing it to maintain some of its crunchy texture.

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What is bacon and cabbage made of? ›

Bacon and cabbage (Irish: bagún agus cabáiste) is a dish traditionally associated with Ireland. The dish consists of sliced back bacon boiled with cabbage and potatoes. Smoked bacon is sometimes used. The dish is served with the bacon sliced, and with some of the boiling juices added.

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Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

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Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

Cabbage and onions contain sulfur-based compounds and enzymes that are kept apart — and nonreactive — in separate cells when the plants are whole. But when you cut the vegetables, the compounds and enzymes mix, creating pungent, bitter and foul-smelling compounds that repel insects (and people!).

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What does baking soda do to cabbage? ›

Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long.

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Is fried cabbage good for you? ›

You can enjoy cabbage cooked or raw, but it's crucial you prepare it the right way to reap its health benefits. Avoid cooking cabbage, which can reduce its nutrients. Opt for quick-cooking methods like stir-frying or chopping it up and eating it raw in a salad or slaw.

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What is bacon called in Ireland? ›

In Ireland and the UK it is simply referred to as bacon. This food is a close relative to what those in the US think of as Canadian bacon. It may also be called back bacon or rashers. The term rashers may also be used as in “rashers of bacon,” meaning individual slices.

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Can dogs have cabbage? ›

Cabbage. All varieties of cabbage are not only tasty to your dog, they are also very healthy. Cabbage helps your dog's digestive system and is good for their skin. It can cause flatulence (gas) in dogs, so remember to feed cabbage in small amounts, and introduce it into their diet slowly.

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How to cut napa cabbage for stir fry? ›

Dice the cabbage into bite-sized pieces for stir-frys.

Cut the quartered cabbage into wide strips. Turn your knife and cut across the strips to break them down into pieces that are small enough to eat in one bite. The smaller the pieces of cabbage, the less time it will take for them to cook through.