A delightfully easy and incredibly flavorful side dish, this Southern Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe is the epitome of comfort food. Requiring only a few simple ingredients, it transforms humble cabbage into a rich, savory, and slightly sweet delicacy that your whole family will adore.
Southern Bacon Fried Cabbage: A Timeless Comfort Food Classic
Are you searching for a side dish that perfectly balances savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, all while being incredibly simple to prepare? Look no further than this classic Southern Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe. Cabbage, often considered a humble vegetable, shines brightly when pan-fried with crispy bacon and a few key seasonings. It’s a staple in many cuisines worldwide, particularly cherished in Eastern European and Southern American households for its versatility and heartwarming appeal.
Our family has been perfecting this fried cabbage recipe for generations, and it has consistently been a crowd-pleaser. The magic lies in the subtle interplay of smoky bacon, tender cabbage, a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, and the bright tang of apple cider vinegar. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary hug, guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. If you’re ready to experience a truly delicious and easy-to-make vegetable dish, you simply must try this Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Bacon Fried Cabbage Recipe
This isn’t just any cabbage recipe; it’s a dish brimming with Southern charm and undeniable flavor. Here are just a few reasons why this Bacon Fried Cabbage will become a regular on your dinner table:
- Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The harmonious blend of savory bacon, aromatic garlic and onion, a hint of sweet brown sugar, and bright apple cider vinegar creates a complex and deeply satisfying taste experience that will leave you craving more.
- Effortlessly Simple Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt down obscure items. This recipe relies on everyday staples you likely already have in your kitchen, making it a convenient choice for any meal.
- Beginner-Friendly Preparation: With clear, step-by-step instructions, even new cooks can confidently create a dish that tastes like it came straight from a seasoned Southern kitchen.
- Incredibly Versatile Side: Whether you’re serving it alongside a grand holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner, this cabbage dish complements a vast array of main courses, enhancing every bite.
- The Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s something inherently heartwarming about this dish. It evokes feelings of home, warmth, and nostalgia, making it perfect for cozy evenings or family gatherings.
- Economical and Hearty: Cabbage is a wonderfully budget-friendly vegetable. Combined with bacon, it creates a satisfying and substantial side that feels luxurious without breaking the bank.
- Quick to the Table: In less than an hour, you can transform humble ingredients into a flavorful masterpiece, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Bacon Fried Cabbage
Southern Bacon Fried Cabbage is an incredibly versatile side dish that complements a wide array of main courses. For a traditional Southern meal, it pairs beautifully with hearty proteins like tender corned beef, a rich and slow-cooked pot roast, or a classic, comforting meatloaf. Its smoky and savory flavor also makes it an excellent accompaniment to grilled chicken, pan-seared pork chops, or even a simple baked ham. For a truly satisfying meal, consider serving it with a side of cornbread to soak up all the delicious juices. Don’t limit yourself to just dinner! This dish can be enjoyed as part of a hearty brunch spread alongside scrambled eggs and grits, or even as a light, flavorful lunch on its own.
Absolutely, you can certainly leave out the brown sugar if you prefer a strictly savory dish. We add just a touch of light brown sugar because it works wonders by enhancing the natural sweetness of the cabbage and perfectly balancing the salty, smoky flavor of the bacon without making the dish overtly sweet. It really rounds out the overall flavor profile and is a beloved Southern secret for fried cabbage. However, if you’re managing sugar intake or simply prefer a more piquant taste, feel free to skip it. The dish will still be delicious and full of robust flavor from the bacon, onion, garlic, and vinegar, just without that subtle sweet undertone that many find irresistible.
For this particular recipe, you will need approximately one medium-sized head of green cabbage. Once cored and cut into bite-sized pieces, this typically equates to about 10 cups of diced cabbage. The exact weight of a medium head can vary, but generally, it’s around 2 to 2.5 pounds. Don’t stress too much about precise measurements when chopping; the cabbage will cook down significantly. Aim for pieces that are roughly uniform in size to ensure even cooking and optimal tenderness. If you have a larger or smaller head of cabbage, simply adjust accordingly – a little more or less won’t drastically alter the delicious outcome, as the flavors are quite forgiving.
Our recipe primarily calls for standard green cabbage, which is widely available, affordable, and performs perfectly in this dish. Green cabbage softens beautifully when fried, developing a lovely tenderness and a slight natural sweetness. However, you absolutely have the option to use red cabbage for this recipe as well. Red cabbage will offer a slightly different, perhaps earthier, flavor profile and lend a vibrant, eye-catching color to your plate. It cooks in a very similar manner to green cabbage, so feel free to experiment based on your preference, aesthetic desires, or simply what you have on hand. Both varieties yield an amazing, comforting result when paired with savory bacon.
When prepared following our instructions, this Bacon Fried Cabbage will have a delightful texture where the cabbage pieces are tender yet retain a subtle, satisfying crunch. This provides a pleasant bite and prevents the dish from becoming mushy. If your preference leans towards a softer, more wilted cabbage, similar to a stewed or braised style, you can simply extend the cooking time. Continue to stir occasionally and taste the cabbage as it cooks until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. The longer it simmers, the more moisture it will release, resulting in a silkier, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. It’s entirely customizable to your texture preference!
Absolutely! If you enjoy a bit of heat to complement the wonderful sweet and salty flavors of this dish, adding a spicy kick is a fantastic idea. To introduce a pleasant warmth without overpowering the other ingredients, try stirring in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the seasoned salt and black pepper. Start with a quarter to half a teaspoon and adjust to your taste preference. For an even bolder and fresher flavor, consider adding a finely diced jalapeño or serrano pepper alongside the onions and garlic during the sautéing process. Spice lovers will definitely appreciate this customization!
Proper storage ensures you can enjoy this delicious side dish for days! Allow any leftover Bacon Fried Cabbage to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making it perfect for meal prepping throughout the week. Yes, it can also be frozen! To freeze, place the cooled cabbage in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, ensuring you remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It will maintain its quality in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply transfer it to the refrigerator overnight to defrost, then reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Adding a tiny splash of water or broth during stovetop reheating can help maintain moisture.
Key Ingredients for the Best Bacon Fried Cabbage
Crafting the perfect Bacon Fried Cabbage begins with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial to the final flavor, along with some helpful tips:
- Thick-Cut Bacon: While regular cut bacon can certainly work, we highly recommend opting for thick-cut bacon. The thicker slices not only provide a more substantial, satisfying chew in the finished dish, but crucially, they render more bacon grease. This rendered fat is the golden foundation of our recipe, infusing the cabbage with unparalleled smoky, savory flavor. Do not discard that precious liquid gold after cooking the bacon – it’s essential for building the dish’s depth!
- Onion and Garlic: These aromatic powerhouses are fundamental for deepening the flavor profile of the fried cabbage. The sweet, caramelized notes of slowly cooked onion provide a wonderful contrast to the salty bacon, while fresh garlic adds a pungent warmth and complexity that ties all the flavors together beautifully. While you can omit them if you’re truly not an onion or garlic fan, they contribute significantly to the dish’s rich taste. Always opt for fresh garlic cloves; their intense, bright flavor far surpasses that of pre-minced jarred garlic.
- Green Cabbage: The star of our show! A fresh, firm head of standard green cabbage is ideal for this recipe. Simply core it to remove the tough inner stem and then cut it into manageable, bite-sized chunks. This size allows the cabbage to cook down evenly and absorb all the delicious flavors from the bacon fat, onion, and garlic without becoming overly mushy. If you happen to prefer a finer texture, you can certainly shave it thinly, but chunks offer a heartier, more traditional feel.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient might seem a bit unexpected, but it’s a secret weapon that truly elevates the dish. Apple cider vinegar provides a much-needed acidic bright note, cutting through the richness of the bacon and adding a beautiful tang that prevents the dish from feeling heavy or greasy. While regular white vinegar could technically be used as a substitute, apple cider vinegar offers a more complex, nuanced depth of flavor that genuinely complements the cabbage and bacon without being too sharp.
- Light Brown Sugar: Please trust us on this! Adding just a tablespoon of light brown sugar is a time-honored Southern trick that makes a profound difference in the finished product. It doesn’t make the dish overtly sweet; rather, it enhances the natural sweetness already present in the cabbage and brilliantly balances the smoky-salty notes of the bacon, creating a perfectly rounded and incredibly craveable flavor profile. It’s the subtle secret to that irresistible, balanced taste.
- Seasoned Salt: For an all-in-one flavor boost, seasoned salt is an excellent choice. It typically includes a blend of salt, pepper, and other savory spices, adding an extra layer of goodness and complexity without requiring multiple shaker bottles. If you prefer to keep it simple, you can certainly use regular salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. For a different, more adventurous twist, a touch of Cajun seasoning can introduce a wonderful smoky and spicy kick that pairs beautifully with the rich bacon.
- Black Pepper: A simple yet impactful seasoning. We highly recommend using freshly cracked black pepper if possible, as it offers a superior aroma and a bolder, more vibrant flavor compared to pre-ground pepper. It adds a subtle spice and earthy undertone that complements all the other ingredients perfectly, contributing to the overall depth of taste.
- Salted Butter: Butter is pure flavor, and it’s added at the very end of the cooking process to finish the dish with a luxurious richness and a beautiful glossy sheen. It melts into the hot cabbage, melding with the bacon fat and seasonings to create a velvety coating that enhances every bite. Do not skip this step – it’s a small addition that makes a huge impact on the final taste and overall mouthfeel of the dish.
Step-by-Step: How to Cook the Perfect Bacon Fried Cabbage
Follow these detailed steps to create a truly unforgettable and delicious Bacon Fried Cabbage that will impress everyone:
Crisp the Bacon to Perfection: Begin by placing one pound of thick-cut bacon, small diced, into a large Dutch oven or a deep, heavy-bottomed skillet. Cook the bacon over medium heat for approximately 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal is to achieve beautifully crispy, golden-brown bacon while rendering out a generous amount of its flavorful fat. Once the bacon reaches your desired crispness, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the bacon pieces from the pan and transfer them to a paper-towel-lined plate. This allows any excess grease to drain, keeping the bacon delightfully crisp for later. Crucially, reserve ¼ cup of the rendered bacon fat in the pan – this is the flavor base for your cabbage!
Cooked bacon draining and onions sautéing in bacon grease – the foundation of flavor. Sauté Aromatics until Fragrant: With the ¼ cup of reserved bacon fat still in the pan, add one small, thinly sliced onion. Cook the onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until it becomes beautifully translucent and softened. This process allows the onion to release its natural sugars and caramelize slightly, building another delicious layer of flavor. Next, add four cloves of freshly minced garlic to the pan. Continue to cook for just 30 seconds more, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant. Be vigilant during this step, as garlic can burn quickly and become bitter if overcooked.
Combine Cabbage and Key Seasonings: Into the pan with the fragrant onions and garlic, add the prepared one head of cabbage (cored and cut into bite-sized pieces). Pour in one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of packed light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of seasoned salt, and ½ teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper. Stir all these ingredients thoroughly to combine, ensuring that the cabbage pieces are evenly coated with the rich bacon fat and seasonings. Don’t be alarmed if the pan looks very full at this stage; the cabbage will cook down considerably as it softens.
Cabbage and seasonings beginning to cook down in the Dutch oven. Cook Cabbage to Desired Tenderness: Continue to cook the cabbage in the Dutch oven, stirring occasionally, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cabbage reaches your desired level of tenderness. Some prefer a slight crispness and firm bite in their fried cabbage, while others enjoy it more wilted and soft. Keep a close eye on it and taste test frequently to achieve your perfect texture. The cabbage will soften and shrink significantly as it releases its moisture and absorbs the delicious flavors.
Finishing Touches and Immediate Serve: Once the cabbage is tender and cooked to your liking, add the previously cooked crispy bacon back into the pan. Also, add two tablespoons of salted butter. Stir everything together until the butter is completely melted and the crispy bacon pieces are evenly distributed throughout the cabbage. This final addition of butter adds a rich, luxurious finish and a beautiful glossy sheen to the dish. Taste the dish and adjust any seasonings if necessary – you might find it needs a tiny bit more salt, pepper, or a pinch of extra sugar to achieve that perfect balance of flavors. Serve immediately while hot to enjoy its peak deliciousness!
The final stage: adding back the crispy bacon and rich butter for ultimate flavor.
Enjoy this delightful Southern comfort food!
Expert Tips for Perfect Bacon Fried Cabbage
Achieving the best Bacon Fried Cabbage is simple with a few insider tricks. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare this delicious dish:
- Don’t Skimp on Bacon Fat: The rendered bacon fat is absolutely crucial for infusing the cabbage with its signature smoky flavor. If your bacon, for some reason, doesn’t produce quite enough fat (though thick-cut usually delivers!), you can supplement the ¼ cup with a tablespoon of olive oil or butter to ensure enough richness for sautéing the aromatics and cabbage.
- Always Opt for Fresh Garlic: While jarred minced garlic offers convenience, fresh garlic cloves deliver a significantly more potent, vibrant, and authentic flavor that truly elevates this recipe. It’s worth the extra minute to mince fresh cloves.
- Chop Cabbage Evenly: Aim for relatively uniform bite-sized pieces when chopping your cabbage. This consistency is important because it ensures that all the cabbage cooks evenly, resulting in a consistent texture throughout the dish. Smaller pieces will cook faster and become softer; slightly larger pieces will retain more of their natural crunch.
- Adjust Tenderness to Your Liking: The cooking time for cabbage can vary based on your personal preference for texture. Cook for a shorter duration (around 10 minutes) for a firmer, crisper cabbage. If you prefer a softer, more wilted, and melt-in-your-mouth consistency, extend the cooking time (towards 15-20 minutes or more), stirring occasionally and tasting as you go.
- Taste and Adjust Seasonings: This is perhaps the most important tip for any cooking! Always taste your fried cabbage before serving. You might find it needs a touch more salt, a grind of fresh pepper, or even a tiny sprinkle of extra brown sugar to achieve that perfect, balanced flavor profile that suits your palate.
- Use a Generously Sized Pan: Raw cabbage takes up a surprising amount of space before it cooks down. A large Dutch oven or a deep, wide skillet (at least 12 inches) is essential to ensure that the cabbage cooks evenly without overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than frying, which will result in less flavorful cabbage.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Bacon: When cooking the bacon, ensure there’s enough space in the pan so the pieces can crisp up rather than steam. Cook in batches if necessary.
Delicious Variations to Try with Your Fried Cabbage
While our classic Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable and can be customized to your taste preferences. Here are a few exciting ideas to try:
- Spicier Kick: As detailed in our FAQ section, for those who love heat, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings will introduce a delightful warming spice.
- Smoked Paprika Infusion: Stir in a teaspoon of smoked paprika when you add the cabbage and other seasonings. This will deepen the smoky notes and add a rich, earthy flavor that complements the bacon beautifully.
- Tangy Mustard Seed Pop: For a subtle, pungent burst of flavor, add a half teaspoon of whole mustard seeds to the pan when you’re sautéing the onions. They will pop gently and release a distinctive aroma.
- Alternative Proteins: While bacon is king here, you can certainly experiment with other proteins. Consider using diced ham, sliced smoked sausage, or even a vegetarian version by using smoked tofu for a different twist and texture.
- Add More Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value and visual appeal by adding a handful of thinly sliced bell peppers (any color) or julienned carrots alongside the cabbage. They add extra color, texture, and sweetness.
- Herbaceous Touch: Fresh herbs can add an aromatic layer. A sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves or a dash of dried dill weed stirred in at the end can bring a new dimension of flavor to your fried cabbage.
- Sweet & Spicy Combination: For a unique flavor profile, combine the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar with a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a truly memorable sweet and spicy cabbage.
More Mouth-Watering Recipes to Explore
If you loved this comforting and flavorful Bacon Fried Cabbage, you’ll surely enjoy these other delicious and easy-to-make recipes from our collection:
- Classic Cabbage Rolls
- Easy Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Hearty Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls
- Comforting Cabbage Roll Soup
- Savory Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Instant Pot Corned Beef (with Irish Slaw)
- Traditional Chicken Fried Chicken
- Tangy Southern Chow Chow Relish
Originally Published: March 2022
Last Updated and Republished: March 2024
Bacon Fried Cabbage Recipe
A deliciously easy side dish, this Southern Bacon Fried Cabbage is full of flavor, doesn’t require many ingredients, and is the perfect comfort food!
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, small diced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 head of cabbage, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 10 cups)
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
In a Dutch oven or large skillet with deep sides, cook 1 pound thick-cut bacon, small diced until crispy over medium heat for about 12-15 minutes. Drain bacon on a paper-towel lined plate.
Reserve ¼ cup of the bacon fat in the pan. Add 1 small onion, thinly sliced and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
Add 4 cloves garlic, minced and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add 1 head of cabbage, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon packed light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until tender, 10-15 minutes.
Add the bacon back to the pan and 2 Tablespoons salted butter.
Stir it in until the butter is melted and the bacon is distributed, taste, adjust seasoning if necessary and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use red cabbage if you’d like for a slightly different flavor and a vibrant color.
- We like thick-cut bacon for its robust flavor and texture, but regular bacon can be used if that’s what you have.
- If you prefer a little spice, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes when you incorporate the other seasonings.
- This dish freezes exceptionally well. For detailed freezing and reheating instructions, please refer to the “Frequently Asked Questions” section above for best practices.
Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)
Calories: 304kcal |
Carbohydrates: 11g |
Protein: 9g |
Fat: 25g |
Sodium: 567mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 6g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate based on common ingredient values. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we highly recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer, using the specific brands and quantities you use. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on ingredient brands and preparation methods.
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