Description
Smoky, buttery, and tender, this Southern Fried Cabbage is an easy recipe that turns simple cabbage into a deeply flavorful side dish for quick dinner nights, Southern food ideas, holiday meals, and cozy comfort food plates. Made with bacon, onion, garlic, and simple seasoning, this skillet cabbage recipe is a delicious dinner idea, easy side dish, and budget-friendly vegetable recipe that pairs beautifully with chicken, pork chops, sausage, cornbread, or potatoes.
Ingredients
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 large head green cabbage, cored and chopped
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil, optional if needed
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Remove the tough outer leaves from the cabbage, cut it into quarters, remove the core, and chop the cabbage into bite-size pieces.
2. Add the chopped bacon to a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook until crisp.
3. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon drippings in the skillet.
4. Add the sliced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until softened and lightly golden.
5. Stir in the minced garlic, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, then cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Add the chopped cabbage in batches if needed, tossing it with the onions, garlic, and bacon drippings.
7. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until the cabbage is tender and lightly browned in spots.
8. Stir in the butter and cooked bacon, then cook for another 2 minutes until everything is glossy and well combined.
9. Add the apple cider vinegar, taste, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
10. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use a wide skillet or Dutch oven so the cabbage has enough room to cook down and lightly brown instead of steaming too much.
Add the salt gradually because bacon can already be salty, especially if using thick-cut or smoked bacon.
For a heartier meal, add sliced smoked sausage during the last few minutes of cooking and serve the cabbage over rice or potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
Keywords: Southern fried cabbage, fried cabbage with bacon, easy cabbage recipe, Southern side dish, quick dinner side, comfort food ideas