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Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon

ByAdventures of a Nurse Hours Posted on Hours Updated On:
4.5 Stars (742 Reviews)
 Servings: 6 Total Time: 15 mins
Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon

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Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a hearty, comforting dish that’s loaded with smoky bacon, tender cabbage, sweet onions, and simple seasonings. It can be served as a flavorful side dish or enjoyed as a satisfying meal on its own, making it a budget-friendly favorite for any night of the week.

Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon

Ready in about 30 minutes, this easy fried cabbage recipe is made with everyday ingredients and is packed with classic Southern flavor. Whether you’re pairing it with pork chops, chicken, or cornbread, or simply enjoying a bowl by itself, it’s an easy recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Bacon and Cabbage on a plate

Why you will love this recipe

  • 🥓 Full of flavor. Crispy bacon, tender cabbage, and onions create the perfect savory combination.
    ⏱️ Quick and easy. This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
    💰 Budget-friendly. An inexpensive meal or side dish that’s perfect for feeding the whole family.
    🍽️ Versatile. Enjoy it as a hearty main dish or serve it alongside your favorite Southern meals.
    🌱 Great for leftovers. The flavors get even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients for bacon and cabbage

Ingredient Notes

  1. Bacon: Thick-cut bacon adds the most flavor, but regular bacon works just as well.
  2. Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) enhance the cabbage’s savory flavor without overpowering it.
  3. Green Cabbage: A fresh head of green cabbage cooks down into tender, flavorful bites.
  4. Onion: A yellow onion adds a touch of sweetness as it cooks.
  5. Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the dish the best flavor.

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

How To Make

  1. Cut bacon into chunks and fry in a cast iron pan.
  2. Fry bacon pieces on medium-high heat until brown
  3. Remove bacon from the pan and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
  4. Saute Onion and garlic until tender in the bacon fat.
  5. Add cabbage and seasonings to the pan.
  6. Saute stirring frequently until cabbage is tender.
  7. Add cooked bacon back into the pan and stir.
  • Fry-bacon-in-cast-iron-pan
    Fry Bacon
  • bacon in cast iron pan
    Fry until golden brown
  • remove-bacon-and-set-aside
    Remove Bacon
  • Step 4 add onions and garlic
    Add Onions and Garlic
  • step 5 add cabbage and seasonings
    Add Cabbage and seasons
  • Saute until cabbage is tender
    Keep on saute
  • Add Bacon back in pan
    add bacon back to the pan

Why this Recipe Works:

Crispy bacon, sweet onions, and tender cabbage are a classic Southern combination. Cooking the cabbage in the bacon drippings gives it incredible flavor while keeping the ingredient list simple and affordable. It’s a recipe that’s been passed down for generations because it always delivers delicious results.

Tips & Variations

  • Cut the bacon first. Slice the bacon into 1-inch pieces before cooking so it cooks faster and mixes evenly throughout the cabbage.
  • Use a large skillet or cast iron pan. A cast iron skillet gives the best flavor and browning, but any large, heavy-bottomed skillet works well.
  • Don’t overcook the cabbage. Cook until it’s tender with a slight bite for the best texture.
  • Add a little liquid if needed. For softer cabbage or a light sauce, stir in a splash of chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, or white wine and let it simmer for a few minutes.
  • Season to taste. Adjust the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes after cooking since the bacon adds plenty of saltiness.
  • Make it a meal. Add sliced smoked sausage, kielbasa, or diced ham for an easy one-pan dinner.
Cast iron pan with southern fried cabbage

What to Serve with Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon

This Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon is delicious as a meal on its own, but it also pairs well with your favorite comfort food dishes. Try serving it with:

FAQs

Yes! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

You can, but it’s not recommended. The cabbage tends to become soft and watery after thawing.

Absolutely! Turkey bacon is a great lighter option, though it won’t produce as much bacon grease. You may want to add a little butter or olive oil when cooking the cabbage.

Green cabbage works best, but Savoy cabbage is a great substitute. Red cabbage can also be used, though it will slightly change the color and flavor.

Yes. Replace the bacon with butter or olive oil for a vegetarian version, or add smoked sausage, ham, or kielbasa for a different flavor.

Yes! Stir in sliced smoked sausage, kielbasa, diced ham, or cooked shredded chicken to make it a hearty one-pan dinner.

To prevent the cabbage from becoming mushy, avoid overcooking it. Cook the cabbage until it’s tender but still retains some crunch.

Yes! Coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage is a great shortcut and cooks just as well.

Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon

Cast iron pan with southern fried cabbage

Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon

Yield: 6
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a simple, budget-friendly comfort food made with tender cabbage, crispy bacon, onions, and savory seasonings. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's delicious as a hearty main dish or an easy Southern side.

4.5 Stars (742 Reviews)

Ingredients

  • 1 head cabbage
  • 1 pound thick cut bacon
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves chopped garlic
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Cut bacon into bite-size pieces and Fry in medium heat until brown and crispy.
  2. Remove bacon and leave grease from the bacon in a pan
  3. Place Onion and garlic in the pan and fry for 1-2 minutes
  4. Chop up your cabbage into bite-size pieces.
  5. Place cabbage in the pan along with spices.
  6. Stir and cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until the cabbage is tender.
  7. Stir bacon back into the pan and mix with the cabbage.
  8. Serve and Enjoy!

Notes

  • Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces before cooking for even browning.
  • Cook the cabbage until just tender for the best texture.
  • Taste before adding extra salt since the bacon is naturally salty.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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    Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 6 Serving Size: 6 Amounts Per Serving: Calories: 415Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 1680mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 29g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

    © Adventures of a Nurse
    Cuisine: American / Category: One Pot

    More Cabbage Recipes

    So what are you waiting for? Give this simple and easy side dish recipe a try. If you enjoy cabbage you will love the fun twist of fried cabbage. Grab a skillet and your ingredients and get to work on one outstanding dinner dish to serve up. 

    What readers are saying:

    Readers who have made this recipe are raving about it! Here is what they had to say after feeding their family:

    • Made this and it was excellent! Everybody loved it! I wish I would have found this recipe years ago!
      Sandra
      Wife and Mom
    • Sooo delicious that the whole family loved this and will definitely be having this again real soon.
      STephanie
      Busy Mom

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    Welcome to the place where my two passions—healthcare and culinary arts—merge. I’m Carla Bushey, and I’ve transitioned from a dedicated nursing career of over 25 years into the dynamic world of food blogging. This space is dedicated to bringing you a treasure trove of recipes, each a testament to the tastes and traditions that resonate with my soul. My home, the beautiful Upstate New York, serves as the backdrop to my culinary creations, often inspired by the rich cultural heritage and the classic Italian cuisine of my hometown, Utica. Dishes like the beloved Chicken Riggies and the comforting Utica Greens are more than just recipes—they are stories, shared from my kitchen to yours.

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    61 Comments

      1. @Tricia, I am not the op but, the cabbage has to cook in its own juices and not dry it out like an air fryer would do. You can certainly make the bacon in the air fryer but, you want to maintain moisture not take it away.

        Reply
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    3. I see in the nutritional info that there are carbs in this dish. No sugar was mentioned in the recipe. What am I missing?

      Reply

      1. @Barbara Takacs, vegies have carbs too. Some more than others. Cabbage is low while onion is a bit higher. Using an app like carbmanager will help to learn which foods have how many.

        Reply

    4. Made it just as recipe called for, turned out great. Thanks for letting me know about freezing cabbage. This is my favorite recipe for fried cabbage.

      Reply
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    8. Pingback: SOUTHERN FRIED CABBAGE AND BACON – Diva Recipes XYZ

    11. I’ve been frying cabbage a long time. That was a veg side when I was young with fried chicken. Cheap foods back in the day. Still love and cook it to this day.

      Reply

    13. I have did fried cabbage before but never with the bacon. I will be fixing it for new year’s dinner. I add sweet peppers in with my cabbage. I can’t wait.

      Reply

    15. Add some buttered noodles, and you have the Polish dish called “Haluski”. Cooking for a crowd cheaply! :))

      Reply

      1. @Christopher Keller, Awesome,Thanks! My Mom was Polish and used to make buttered noodles with tuna. I will now try the Haluski 🙂

        Reply
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    17. Going to try some of these…the look and sound doable as recipes go but pictures also make them look delicious!

      Reply

    18. I’m making this tonight for the first time. My husband bought a head of cabbage & I didn’t know what to do with it haha. I came across this recipe. Looks so good!!

      Reply

    21. It turned out delicious! This will become a regular at our house. Loved all th
      e comments of how we can change it up!

      Reply

    23. How is there so many carbs in this dish ?? I love this Southern Recipe…I live in South Georgia and am overwhelmed by the amount of carbs here…guess I won’t be making it anymore…😞but this is an awesome thing to try if you’re not concerned with a lot of carbs !!!

      Reply
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    26. Looking forward to trying this as it sounds delicious! I am wondering what one would typically serve along side this. I can’t quite decide what would pair well with it since I haven’t had a chance to taste it yet. Maybe some roasted potatoes?

      Reply

      1. @Monica, being from the South, we grill/fry porkchops to serve with it, along with sliced garden tomatoes. Or Western- style ribs.We also fry potatoes and kielbasa with it and make a complete meal. Love mixing mashed potatoes, made with milk and butter, in with it as a side. We love it baked with pork jowl, Granny Smiths, butter, and several splashes of apple cider vinegar, minus the garlic. I sometimes low bake it whole, with the core removed, stuffed w/half stick of butter and buffalo sauce with mac&cheese. Lastly, make a casserole, saute yellow neck squash and zucchini and sprinkle with flour to make a roux, add chicken broth or cream, stir in cheddar and bake. Thow in some cooked egg noodles if you like.

        Reply

    27. I’m from Pennsylvania and add apples and top it off with a bit of apple vinegar before serving. Absolutely delicious!

      Reply

    28. Great recipe! I followed the recipe as written and the fried cabbage and bacon turned out great! Wow! awesome taste and texture with the cripy pieces of bacon.

      Reply
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    31. My mom used to fix this when I was growing up. Delicious and still is…I just cooked this tonight and it was so good!!

      Reply

    32. i wanted so bad to make this dish good, it looks easy , but it didn’t turn out good at all, I do not know what else to do, i made it twice with the same result. After i put it in the refrigerator the color changed into un unpleasant brown, any advice ??

      Reply

    36. Made this recipe to the T. Taste really good but I am Hispanic and need more of a kick so I added El Pato hot tomato sauce and let me tell you… it was fire 🔥

      Reply

      2. @Ashley,

        Sorry about the blank reply, I accidentally hit reply before typing my reply lol and I’m not seeing any way to delete it (GRRRR), I’ve never replied on Pinterest so idk if that’s even an option?
        Anyhow, I sometimes eat this dish as a meal (health conditions that eating smaller meals helps) but I’ve made rope sausages with it (cut up into bite size pieces and added) or I think a pork chop would be good(not added to this obviously lol). Someone above in the comments said to add buttered noodles and it’s a polish dish 😋
        I also think a good steak would be great.

        Reply
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    40. HAPPY 2023! I just made this for our NY’s luncheon and it looks delish looking forward to tasting it! Thanks for sharing

      Reply

    42. Can you freeze leftover of this. I’m the only one who eats cabbage and even a small head there’s leftover

      Reply
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