If you need an easy side dish that makes a simple weeknight dinner feel extra comforting, this fried cabbage and bacon recipe is it. Tender cabbage cooks down in smoky bacon drippings with onion, garlic, and a little butter for a savory skillet side everyone will want seconds of. Serve it with Creamy Garlic Bacon Pork Chops, Bacon Mushroom Green Beans, or Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni with Stewed Tomatoes for the ultimate cozy comfort-food meal. If you have extra cabbage to use up, my Chinese Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is another quick family favorite.
More Southern Sides You’ll Love
Why You’ll Love This Fried Cabbage with Bacon
- Easy one-skillet side dish
- Uses inexpensive pantry-friendly ingredients
- Smoky, savory, and slightly sweet
- Naturally low carb and gluten-free
- A delicious way to use up a head of cabbage
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bacon
- Green cabbage
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Butter
- Chicken broth or water
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Apple cider vinegar
How to Make Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Start by cooking the chopped bacon in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.
Add the diced onion to the hot bacon grease and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add the cabbage a few handfuls at a time, stirring as it wilts down. Add the butter, chicken broth, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Cover the skillet and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Remove the lid and continue cooking for 8 to 10 more minutes, until the cabbage is tender and has a few golden, caramelized edges. Stir in the apple cider vinegar and most of the cooked bacon.
Serve hot with the remaining crisp bacon sprinkled over the top.
Tips for the Best Fried Cabbage
Do not rush the cabbage. It will look like far too much for the skillet at first, but it cooks down quickly.
Use a large, deep skillet so you have room to toss everything together without spilling.
For cabbage with more caramelized edges, cook it uncovered for a few extra minutes after it is tender.
Taste before serving. Bacon can be salty, so wait until the end to add more salt if needed.
Make It Your Own
Add sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa to turn this easy side dish into a full meal.
For a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning, or a diced jalapeño with the onion.
Swap the brown sugar for a teaspoon of maple syrup for a subtle sweet-and-smoky flavor.
Use purple cabbage for a colorful variation, or use half green and half purple cabbage.
What to Serve with Fried Cabbage and Bacon
This skillet cabbage is especially good with comforting, simple dinners. Try it with baked pork chops, chicken and stuffing meatballs, creamy beef stew, meatloaf, or a big piece of buttery cornbread.
It is also delicious served as part of a holiday meal with ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
PrintSimple Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Tender cabbage, onion, and garlic are sautéed in smoky bacon drippings until buttery and lightly caramelized, then finished with crisp bacon for an easy, budget-friendly Southern side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Pan Fried
- Cuisine: Southern Inspired
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large head green cabbage, cored and chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Add the chopped bacon to a large cast iron skillet or deep skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp, then transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped cabbage, butter, chicken broth, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt. Toss well to coat the cabbage in the bacon drippings.
- Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice as the cabbage cooks down.
- Remove the lid and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender with lightly caramelized edges and most of the liquid has cooked away.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar and most of the cooked bacon. Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top and serve warm.
Notes
- Do not add too much salt at the beginning because bacon can be quite salty.
- For extra browning, cook the cabbage uncovered for a few more minutes at the end.
- Add sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa with the cabbage to make this a complete one-skillet meal.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover fried cabbage and bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of chicken broth or water, just until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings, but the skillet keeps the cabbage from becoming too soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you wash cabbage before frying it?
Yes. Remove any wilted outer leaves, rinse the cabbage under cold water, and dry it well before chopping.
Why is my fried cabbage watery?
Cabbage naturally releases moisture as it cooks. Let it finish uncovered so the extra liquid can cook off and the cabbage can caramelize slightly.
Can I make fried cabbage and bacon ahead of time?
Yes. It reheats well, making it a great side dish to prepare a day or two ahead.
Can I freeze fried cabbage?
You can, but the cabbage will be much softer after thawing. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a few days.
Final Thoughts
If you need an easy side dish that is hearty, inexpensive, and full of flavor, this fried cabbage and bacon recipe is always a good choice. The smoky bacon and buttery cabbage make it feel like true comfort food, while the quick skillet method keeps it simple enough for a busy weeknight.
