Fried cabbage may be my favorite side dish ever. Sweet wilted cabbage and onions, salty bacon, and some fresh cracked black pepper, yum!
This fried cabbage and bacon recipe is simple to make, comes together quickly, and is a hit with our whole family! Serve it with a pan of baked BBQ chicken and roasted red potatoes.
Fried Cabbage
Fried Cabbage
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Fried Cabbage Ingredients
- Bacon – Chopped or diced into small pieces.
- Onion – Sweet yellow onion. White onion will also work.
- Cabbage – Green cabbage.
- Sugar – Just a pinch. This can be omitted if you are sugar-free.
- Salt and pepper – To taste.
How do you fry cabbage with bacon? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, in a medium sized skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
⭐ Then, add the onion and cook until translucent.
⭐ Next, add the cabbage and cook until it reaches your desired tenderness.
⭐ Finally, add in a pinch of sugar and season with the salt and pepper, then return the bacon and stir to combine.
Preparation
Can you make fried cabbage ahead of time?
Yes, this is one that I like to make a big batch of and store it in the fridge for several days. It can be heated up in the microwave or in a skillet quickly for lunches or dinner.
What can you add to fried cabbage?
I love adding sliced or julienned carrots, broccoli or broccoli stems, cauliflower, and even diced potato sometimes. It’s a great way to use up the odds and ends from your crisper drawer.
If you want to make this a main dish, stir in a pound of cooked diced ham, chicken, bacon, steak, or ground beef!
Can you make fried cabbage without bacon?
Absolutely! If you want to make this vegetarian or vegan you can use vegan bacon, but make sure to add vegetable oil or butter, as vegan bacon is not fatty like pork bacon.
You can also skip the bacon entirely. Add a little more oil or butter and a few dashes of seasoned salt or soy sauce to replace the missing flavor profile.
Storage and leftovers
How long does fried cabbage last?
This will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Store in a sealed air tight container for best results.
Can you freeze it?
Yes! Be aware that it will lose it’s crispness when frozen. If you prefer yours on the more tender side (like me!) it will still be yummy, but if you like a very crisp cabbage then this is probably not the best option.
Freeze in an air tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove top.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ Add some hot paprika if you want to give it a kick.
✅ Leftover diced holiday ham makes a great substitute for the bacon, just make sure to use a little extra oil because ham is less fatty.
✅ Pile it onto your Rueben sandwich if you don’t have sauerkraut handy.
✅ Stir in shredded carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower for more veggie variety.
What to eat with fried cabbage (serving suggestions)
Grilled pork chops and roasted garlic potatoes are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe. It’s also a great option with corned beef! Don’t forget a shamrock milkshake for dessert.
More delicious recipes with cabbage
- Stuffed cabbage soup recipe
- Roasted cabbage steaks
- Cabbage beef soup
- Cabbage curry recipe
- Homemade coleslaw
- See all our awesome recipes with cabbage!
Other side dishes to try
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries
- Broccoli Casserole
- Creamed Corn
- Mashed Butternut Squash
- See all our yummy side dish ideas!
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron – Perfect for making delicious caramelized vegetables!
- Santoku knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
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How to Make Fried Cabbage
Fried Cabbage
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon chopped
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 1 small head of cabbage chopped (about 8 cups)
- pinch sugar
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium sized skillet, over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
- Add the onion and sauté until translucent.
- Add the cabbage and continue to sauté until you reach desired tenderness, about 10 to 15 minutes is perfect for us.
- Add in a pinch of sugar and season with the salt and pepper, then return the bacon and stir to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
Fried Cabbage
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Katie says
This is such a fun side and so delicious every time! I love the flavors paired with the cabbage.
Jen says
Favorite fried cabbage recipe of all time!! Ugh, the flavors are amazing! SO GOOD.