Southern Fried Cabbage: The Perfect Side Dish to Elevate Any Meal
When it comes to soul food staples, Fried Cabbage is a classic you can’t go wrong with. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight meal or feeding a crowd for Sunday dinner, this dish is always a winner. It’s simple, savory, and packed with down-home flavors that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and maybe thirds). In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about making the best Fried Cabbage—from the ingredients and steps to expert tips, variations, and even what to pair it with. Let’s get into it!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 medium green cabbage, cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 4-6 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped (or smoked sausage for a different twist)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 clove of garlic, minced
- 2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for a tangy kick)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by washing and chopping your cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Dice your onion, mince the garlic, and chop the bacon. Make sure everything is ready to go before you start cooking.
- In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set them aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Toss the chopped cabbage into the skillet. Stir it around to coat it in the bacon fat, onions, and garlic.
- Sprinkle the smoked paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper over the cabbage. Stir everything together, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the cabbage cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the cabbage starts to stick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to deglaze the pan.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar (if using) and the cooked bacon. Let everything cook together for another 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top, and serve your Fried Cabbage warm.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 380kcal