Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

This Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the perfect soul food side dish. Made with cuts of cabbage that cook in bacon fat and seasonings until tender. 

Cabbage, the versatile and nutritious vegetable, is an optimal part of Southern cuisine. The beauty of cabbage is that it can be made in various ways. The most common way you will find it in the South, is either raw and covered in a dressing (Hello coleslaw!) or cooked in a heavy pot or skillet until tender.

Cabbage is a common vegetable served in many African-American households and it serves as a delicious side dish to everyday dinners. It’s also commonly made on New Year’s Day to bring prosperity and wealth. When black people make cabbage, it’s usually cooked until it’s nice and tender.  

This southern cabbage recipe is made with bacon and bacon fat to add flavor and texture to the dish. It’s a quick dish, coming together in less than 30 minutes, that is perfect to go along with your favorite Southern entree.

Ingredients Needed for Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

To make this dish, you will need the following ingredients:

• Cabbage – the star of this dish. You’ll want to chop a small or half of a medium sized head of cabbage. You’ll need about 4-5 cups of chopped cabbage. 
• Bacon – provides a nice smokey flavor to the dish.
• Onions and Garlic – these aromatics provide so much additional flavor to the dish. These a must when I’m making cabbage. 
• Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper for even more flavor.
• Brown sugar – Brown sugar is added to balance the flavor but you can leave it out if you like. 

How to Make it Southern Cabbage

First, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, and drain any excess grease, leaving 2 Tablespoons in the pan.

Add the onion cook for about 4 minutes, until the onions begin to soften. Then add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. 

Add the cabbage, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and brown sugar, and continue to cook and stir for about 10-15 minutes, until the cabbage is coated and begins to shrink and soften.

Turn off the heat add the bacon back to the skillet and stir to combine. Serve and enjoy.

What can I use other than bacon?

You can simply leave the bacon out if you’re not a fan. You could also sub with smoked sausage if you still want that smokey flavor along with the cabbage.

What do I serve this cabbage with?

This cabbage is a great side dish and goes along well with baked chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, or pork chops.

Notes

• Keep the heat on medium heat to avoid the bacon, onions, or cabbage from burning.
• If you find that you’re cabbage is looking a little dry, reduce the heat and pour in a little water or chicken broth.
• I cook my cabbage for about 10-15 minutes which leaves a little bit of crunch. Feel free to cook the cabbage longer to your desired tenderness.

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5 from 6 votes

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

This Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the perfect soul food side dish. Made with cuts of cabbage that cook in bacon fat and seasonings until tender. 

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 169kcal

Ingredients

• 4 pieces thick-cut bacon chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 1 small head of cabbage chopped into 1 inch pieces (about 4 cups)
• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon brown sugar optional
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• First, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, and drain any excess grease, leaving 2 Tablespoons in the pan.
• Add the onion cook for about 4 minutes, until the onions begin to soften. Then add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
• Add the cabbage, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and brown sugar, and continue to cook and stir for about 10-15 minutes, until the cabbage is coated and begins to shrink and soften.
• Turn off the heat add the bacon back to the skillet and stir to combine. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

• Keep the heat on medium heat to avoid the bacon, onions, or cabbage from burning.
• If you find that you’re cabbage is looking a little dry, reduce the heat and pour in a little water or chicken broth.
• I cook my cabbage for about 10-15 minutes which leaves a little bit of crunch. Feel free to cook the cabbage longer to your desired tenderness.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal