Old-Fashioned Fried Cabbage – Tender and Delicious
This Old-Fashioned Fried Cabbage is a comforting Southern-style side dish made with tender green cabbage, crispy bacon, sweet onion, garlic, and simple seasonings. It comes together in one skillet and makes an easy, flavorful side dish for weeknight dinners, Sunday supper, and family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 large green cabbage cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Remove the outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut it into quarters, remove the tough core, and slice the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until browned and crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened and lightly golden. Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the Cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet. Toss well so the cabbage is coated with the bacon drippings and onion mixture.
- Season the Cabbage: Add the butter, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir everything together.
- Cook Until Tender: Cook over medium heat for about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and some edges become lightly browned. Avoid stirring constantly so the cabbage has time to caramelize.
- Add the Bacon: Return the crispy bacon to the skillet and stir it through the cooked cabbage. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the heat and serve the fried cabbage warm as a side dish with chicken, pork, sausage, meatloaf, cornbread, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- This fried cabbage is best served immediately while the cabbage is tender and the bacon is crispy.
- For less salt, use less added salt because bacon already provides plenty of seasoning.
- For softer cabbage, cook for a few additional minutes. For cabbage with more texture, stop cooking as soon as it becomes tender.
- You can add smoked sausage or kielbasa to turn this side dish into a heartier one-pan meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 7 g
Note: Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients, bacon brand, portion size, and amount of bacon drippings used.