Here’s a hearty, flavorful skillet dish: Fried Cabbage with Shrimp, Sausage & Bacon 🥬🦐🥓—perfect as a one-pan meal with Southern-inspired flavor.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4–5 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1 cup smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 medium green cabbage, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil or butter (if needed)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
- Optional: 1–2 tsp paprika or smoked paprika for flavor
Instructions
- Cook bacon
- In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving bacon fat in the pan.
- Cook sausage & shrimp
- Add sliced sausage to the pan; cook 3–4 minutes until slightly browned.
- Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables
- Add onion and garlic to the pan; cook 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add cabbage, a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, 8–10 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Combine & finish
- Return bacon, sausage, and shrimp to the pan.
- Stir to combine and heat through. Adjust salt, pepper, and optional spices.
- Serve
- Serve hot as a main dish or side.
Tips & Variations
- Extra flavor: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice at the end.
- Spicy kick: Use andouille sausage or red pepper flakes.
- Vegetable boost: Add bell peppers or carrots with the cabbage.
- One-pan cleanup: Use a large skillet or cast-iron pan for everything in order.
This dish is savory, smoky, and slightly sweet from the cabbage, with a perfect mix of textures: crisp bacon, juicy shrimp, and tender cabbage.
I can also make a quick 20-minute version that keeps the cabbage tender but still slightly crunchy if you want.
