Here’s a classic Southern-style Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic — simple, savory, and full of flavor.
🥬 Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Onion & Garlic
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped (about 6–8 cups)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but recommended)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the bacon
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook chopped bacon until crispy.
- Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.
2️⃣ Sauté onion & garlic
- Add sliced onion to the bacon grease.
- Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds (don’t burn it).
3️⃣ Add cabbage
- Add chopped cabbage to the skillet.
- Toss to coat in the bacon grease.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
4️⃣ Cook down
- Cook 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender and slightly caramelized.
- If you like it softer, cover the pan for part of the cooking time.
5️⃣ Finish
- Stir bacon back in.
- Add butter if using.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- With smoked sausage
- Alongside pork chops
- As a low-carb side dish
- With cornbread
🔥 Flavor Boost Options
- Splash of apple cider vinegar at the end
- Sprinkle of brown sugar for sweet-savory balance
- Add sliced kielbasa or ham
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A keto version
- A one-pan sausage & cabbage meal
- An Instant Pot version
- Or a meal-prep friendly version 😊
