January 19, 2023
Review RecipeSouthern Fried Cabbage
This southern fried cabbage features tender cabbage cooked with bacon for a delicious side dish.
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Southern fried cabbage is a quick and simple recipe to make that takes fresh cabbage and gives it loads of flavor. Plus, with the crispy bacon added to it, the recipe is perfect for a lunch or even as a main dish.
Southern Fried Cabbage Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 6 strips of bacon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped with core removed
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
BACON: If you are looking for classic alternatives to add to the dish in place of the strips of bacon, then either crayfish or smoked fish could be used.
You can also add some tomatoes if you use these to make it a little moister.
SPICE: Add a few red pepper flakes for a little heat or for a different twist on the flavor, how about a little bit of cajun seasoning?
How To Make This Southern Fried Cabbage Recipe
STEP ONE: In a large frying pan, cook 6 slices of bacon over high heat. Once cooked, remove bacon from the pan and set it aside on a plate lined with a paper towel. Leave bacon drippings in the frying pan.
STEP TWO: Add butter, onions, and minced garlic to the frying pan with the bacon grease. Cook over high heat until onions just start to brown. Stir the onions often so they don’t burn.
STEP THREE: In a large saucepan, add chopped cabbage (cabbage should be chopped into bite-sized pieces), contents of frying pan (onions, garlic, and remaining butter), all the spices, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir all until the cabbage is well coated.
PRO TIP:
Cut the cabbage from top down through the core. Place the cut side down on the cutting board, then slice the cabbage around the core and discard the core. Chop the sliced ribbons into bite-sized pieces.
STEP FOUR: Cover the pot with a lid and simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often so nothing burns on the bottom of the pot. Cabbage is cooked when it is softened but not wilted.
PRO TIP:
If you don’t have a lid big enough for the pan, you can move everything into a large pot when it’s time to cook together. Foil over the frying pan won’t work as a “lid” since enough steam won’t stay in the pan to cook the cabbage.
STEP FIVE: Cut bacon into small pieces and stir into cabbage mixture.
STEP SIX: Serve hot.
How To Serve
Whip up this southern cabbage the next time you are looking for a great side dish. If you want something to serve with your cabbage, you could try a simple oven baked chicken and dirty rice.
If you are looking for different ways to use up that cabbage, then why not try a cabbage roll casserole or cabbage soup?
MORE CABBAGE RECIPES
STORAGE
IN THE FRIDGE: Once the cabbage has cooled down, you can store leftover fried cabbage in the fridge for up to 5 days. Pop it in an airtight container so the cabbage doesn’t go soggy. Reheat back in a saucepan.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze uncooked fresh cabbage by separating the leaves then popping it in a sealable freezer bag. Leave it there for up to 4 weeks. It may not be quite as crispy as before but it saves wasting any.
If you want to freeze this dish after it has been made, you can, but the texture may change slightly once thawed.
This simple southern fried cabbage with bacon is an easy recipe to make and has loads of taste with the spices and the bacon. Try this traditional southern side dish for a main meal served with chicken or as a comfort food lunch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I cut the cabbage?
Cut the cabbage from top down through the core. Place the cut side down on the cutting board, then slice the cabbage around the core and discard the core. Chop the sliced ribbons into bite-sized pieces.
Can I freeze southern fried cabbage?
You can freeze this dish although the texture may change slightly once thawed. It will still be delicious though!
Can I use any type of bacon I’d like in this recipe?
Thick-cut or regular bacon would work fine in this recipe.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- (Not Fried) Fried Chicken
- Country Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
- Mini Chicken Pot Pies
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Pizza Casserole with Biscuits
- Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
- Cabbage Soup
Southern Fried Cabbage
This southern fried cabbage features tender cabbage cooked with bacon for a delicious side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped with core removed
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ tablespoon worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, cook 6 strips of bacon over high heat. Once cooked, remove bacon from pan and set aside. Leave bacon grease in the frying pan.
- Add butter, onions and minced garlic to frying pan with bacon grease. Cook over high heat until onions just start to brown. Keep stirring the onions often so they don't burn
- In a large saucepan, add chopped cabbage (cabbage should be chopped into bite-sized pieces), contents of frying pan (onions, garlic and remaining butter), all the spices, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir all until cabbage is well coated.
- Cover pot with a lid and simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often so nothing burns on the bottom of the pot. Cabbage is cooked when it is softened but not wilted.
- Cut bacon into small pieces and stir into cabbage mixture.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- If you don’t have a lid big enough for the pan, you can move everything into a large pot when it’s time to cook together. Foil over the frying pan won’t work as a “lid” since enough steam won’t stay in the pan to cook the cabbage.
- Cut the cabbage from top down through the core. Place the cut side down on the cutting board, then slice the cabbage around the core and discard the core. Chop the sliced ribbons into bite-sized pieces.
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 577mg | Potassium: 380mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 2mg
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Comments
Gloria says
One of my friends is from down south and she makes this all the time. So good!
Deirdre V says
Is there anything you can think of to replace the bacon?. My husband is a vegetarian but if I leave the bacon out I feel I will lose a lot of the taste.
Layne Kangas says
Ohhh, I’m not sure if there would be a good substitute for the bacon in this recipe.
Nanette says
Have made it yet but I’ve got a plan.. we shall see. This is from great grandma big in your fresh and root veges.
Tony says
Very good but much better if you add Pennsylvania Dutch extra wide egg noodles
Lorraine says
Delicious as a side and absolutely wonderful as a main! I could eat this 2x a week forever. Honestly ! Thanks for sharing.
Linda says
My dad did something similar to this. But he would smother down for more that 15-20 minutes. Like we say down it southern louisiana – cook it to death. They he would add Parmesan cheese and it was a family favorite. Making it for New Year’s day. Deliciouso!!
Barbara coyle says
I love fried cabbage. Also works great with leftover ham.
You can also us a cookie sheet for a lid.