Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a classic Southern-inspired dish. This simple and delicious fried cabbage recipe combines the sweetness of cabbage with the smoky flavor of bacon for a fast and effortless low-carb side dish!
Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
When fried, cabbage develops a delicious nutty, slightly sweet flavor because the natural sugars in it caramelize. That savory, sweet flavor that results from the caramelization pairs perfectly with the smokiness of bacon and the earthy, pungent flavor of onions in this Southern-inspired side dish.
A small amount of chicken broth helps to "deglaze" the skillet, so none of the flavorful browned bits from the bacon, cabbage and onions stays behind. The fried cabbage is then finished with a touch of butter to create a delicate "sauce."
Green cabbage, packed with nutrients and fiber, is a versatile and budget-friendly vegetable that can go a long way. If you have a half-head of cabbage remaining from another recipe, you can use it to prepare this quick, easy, healthy low-carb side dish. Fried cabbage is great with so many things but especially meatloaf, pot roast, and chicken pot pie!
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon recipe is:
- Easy!
- Budget-friendly!
- Low-carb!
- Super tasty!
How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon:
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Southern fried cabbage recipe along with how to prep the ingredients. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.
Ingredient Notes:
- Bacon: Bacon is the second most important ingredient in a fried cabbage with bacon recipe next to the cabbage! I used peppered bacon which gives this dish a nice spicy kick! Use your favorite bacon; however, I would avoid something sweet like maple-flavored bacon. If you don't consume pork, substitute turkey, beef or plant-based bacon.
- Chicken Broth: You can also use vegetable broth.
- Cabbage: Use plain green cabbage or Savoy cabbage.
- Butter: I always use unsalted butter in cooking and baking because it's easier to control the level of salt in whatever I'm making.
- Parsley: I recommend using flat-leaf Italian parsley.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Gather and prep all the ingredients.
- Slice the bacon widthwise into small pieces.
- Place the bacon in a cast iron skillet and cook over medium-high heat until the bacon is cooked and crispy, approximately 5 to 6 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary so the bacon fat does not smoke.
- Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve all the bacon fat.
- Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until the onion softens.
- Add the garlic and cook briefly, 10 to 15 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Add the cabbage and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, frequently stirring until the cabbage wilts and is lightly browned.
- Push the cabbage aside and add the chicken broth. (Be careful not to pour the chicken broth over the cabbage as it will dilute the caramelization on the cabbage.)
- Bring to a boil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the chicken broth almost evaporates.
- Add the butter and stir to melt.
- Add the bacon back into the cabbage and stir to heat through.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
- That's it, friends! A Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon recipe!
Enjoy!
Chef Tip:
- While you can certainly cook the bacon strips whole and then crumble them into pieces, cutting the bacon into small pieces before cooking allows it to cook faster and it looks nicer in your finished dish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The best way is to cut it into square chunks so that more of the surface area of the pieces can come in contact with the hot pan. To do that, cut the head of the cabbage in half through the stem end then place the cut side down on your cutting board. Slice into 1-inch thick slices toward the stem end. Place the slices on your cutting board and cut across the layers to create the square pieces.
It is if you're on a keto or low-carb diet. Not so much if you're on a heart-healthy or low-calorie diet.
Storage:
- Refrigerate any leftovers and enjoy them within 4 to 5 days.
Serve with:
- Mississippi Boneless Short Ribs Recipe (Without Packaged Mixes)
- Buttery Blackened Steak Bites with Gorgonzola
- Nashville Hot Fried Chicken
- Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp
- Braised Pork Loin Roast in Dijon Mustard Sauce
More great cabbage recipes you'll love!
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Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 ounces bacon - peppered or conventional
- 1 large onion - coarsely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - finely chopped
- ½ large head of cabbage - or 1 small whole head, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley - for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the bacon widthwise into small pieces. Place the bacon in a cast iron skillet and cook over medium-high heat until the bacon is cooked and crispy, approximately 5-6 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary so the bacon fat does not smoke.
- Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve all the bacon fat.
- Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the onion begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook briefly, 10-15 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the cabbage and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently until the cabbage wilts and is lightly browned.
- Push the cabbage aside and add the chicken broth. (Be careful to not pour the chicken broth over the cabbage as it will dilute the caramelization on the cabbage.)
- Bring to a boil and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the chicken broth has almost evaporated.
- Add the butter and stir to melt.
- Add the bacon back into the cabbage and stir to heat through.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Traci says
Amazing how a few ingredients can bring so much comfort and flavor to a simple dish. This is classic and beautiful and I can't wait to have it again! Yay cabbage!!!
Carol says
Hi, Traci, I know, right? Cabbage is so versatile! Thanks so very much and so happy you enjoyed!
Heather Soper says
Bought the cabbage, going to make it tonight!!!
Carol says
Hi, Heather, Thanks so much and hope you enjoy!