The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe is a simple six-ingredient recipe that brings cabbage, onions, and bacon together cooked in butter and bacon drippings. This low-carb, easy side dish is so full of flavor, low in calories, and loaded with fiber.
Fried Cabbage: The Perfect Side Dish
Get ready to wow your tastebuds with this simple and tasty fried cabbage recipe. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal and will quickly become a household favorite. It is the perfect side dish for roasted chicken, grilled bratwurst, smoked sausage, and ham steak.
My family and I love cabbage. In fact, we are one crazy cabbage-loving family. It is just so nutritious, versatile, delicious, and quite economical. If you love cabbage like we do, try braised cabbage, cabbage soup, cabbage stir fry, and cabbage rolls.
Fried Cabbage Ingredients
For this recipe, you need bacon, butter, yellow onion, green cabbage, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and, if desired, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
How to make Fried Cabbage
Start by browning your slices of bacon until crisp. You can do this either in a large skillet, a large cast-iron skillet, or in the oven. Do whatever is easier for you, but reserve the bacon grease. Next, chop the browned bacon. Then melt a little butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the reserved bacon grease. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add the bacon to the skillet and stir to combine with butter and onions. Increase to medium-high heat and add the cabbage. Cook until it is tender, stirring several times to ensure it does not burn and cooks evenly. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and, if desired, a little Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
Recipe Tips
- If available, use nitrate-free smoked bacon. It is healthier and tastes better.
- Reserve the bacon grease and add it to the skillet with the butter.
- Slice your cabbage thin to cook evenly and soak up all that good butter and bacon grease.
- Are you in a super big hurry and have to get supper on the table? No problem. Chop the raw bacon and place it in the skillet over medium heat. Cook it for 2-3 minutes, stirring several times, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Then add the butter and onions and cook as directed. The bacon will not be as crispy, but it will still be delicious.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for a zippy tang.
- This dish is best served promptly. If held in the skillet too long, the cabbage will overcook.
- We like our cabbage with just a bit of crispiness and structure left, but you can adjust the cooking time to your texture preference.
Recipe Variations
- Add 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning and a pinch of cayenne for a bit of spice and pizzazz.
- Add a little sweetness with 2 pinches of brown sugar and 2 cloves of minced garlic.
- Make it a complete meal with thin slices of Polska Kielbasa or all-natural chicken sausage.
- For more color and nutrition, chop some red, orange, or yellow bell pepper and add them at the same time as the chopped onion.
- To reduce the saturated fat, use turkey bacon or vegan bacon. Omit the butter and bacon grease. Cook the onion and cabbage in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
To freeze fried cabbage, fully cool it, then store it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
More delicious cabbage recipes you will love!
Fried Cabbage
Ingredients
- 6 slices smoked bacon
- 2 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 head green cabbage cored and thinly sliced
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 -1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning optional
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch Oven over medium heat, brown the bacon (alternately, you can do this in the stove on a baking sheet). Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon. Reserve the bacon grease. Coarsely chop the bacon.
- Melt butter and heat bacon grease in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add the chopped bacon to the skillet and stir to combine with butter and onions. Add the cabbage and cook until tender, stirring several times to make sure it does not burn and that it cooks evenly; approximately 5-7 minutes. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and, if desired, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
Notes
- If available, use nitrate-free smoked bacon. It is healthier and really does taste better.
- Reserve the bacon grease and add it to the skillet with the butter.
- Slice your cabbage thin, so it cooks evenly and soaks up all that good butter and bacon grease.
- Are you in a super big hurry, and you have to get supper on the table? No problem. Chop the raw bacon and place it in the skillet over medium heat. Cook it for 2-3 minutes stirring several times, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Then add the butter and onions and cook as directed. The bacon will not be as crispy, but it will still be delicious.
- For a zippy tang, add a splash or two of apple cider vinegar.
- This dish is best served promptly. If held in the skillet too long, the cabbage will overcook.
- We like our cabbage with just a tiny little bit of crispiness and structure left, but you can adjust the cooking time to your texture preference.
Nutrition
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Vana S
Such a delicious dish! I love to fry up the leftovers with spaghetti noodles for lunch the next day!
Nicola L
This easy fried cabbage was fabulous and makes the perfect side dish for any meal. We enjoyed with some grilled smoked sausage and homemade applesauce.
Beth Pierce
Sounds delicious, Nicola!
Charlene Sampson
Absolutely divine! This is by far the best way to eat cabbage. I like lots of butter and bacon!
Beth Pierce
Me too, Charlene!
Vicki N
I’ve always enjoyed cabbage, but cooking it this way brought out flavors I never knew it could have. I loved the mix of savory and a hint of sweetness. And bacon makes everything better! What a yummy side dish!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Vicki! We love it too!
Justyne Holloran
Love this! tender and flavorful, and the bacon totally makes it! It is delicious with grilled brats. We will make this again and again.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Justyne!
DEBORA CATO
Going to use this as an entree, so I’ll add extra bacon and egg noodles
Beth Pierce
Sounds like a plan!
Justly
Wow, I never thought fried cabbage could be so delicious and easy! Thanks for the tasty recipe. It is a new family favorite and it will be on regular rotation at our house.
Canopas
Your Fried Cabbage recipe took me by surprise!
I never knew such a simple dish could explode with so much flavor. The way you’ve detailed each step makes it feel like you’re right there in the kitchen with us. I’ll try this out for my next family dinner!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Canopas! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Zab
This was an awesome recipe that my husband loved. I served it some smoked chicken sausage and homemade applesauce. The meal was delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Zab! So glad that you and your husband enjoyed the cabbage.
Marysa
This sounds pretty good! I don’t make much with cabbage, but I like the idea of frying it up. Nice to have some unique ideas for cabbage.
SONIA SEIVWRIGHT
This recipe for Southern Fried Cabbage sounds absolutely delicious! The combination of cabbage, onions, and bacon cooked in butter and bacon drippings sounds like a perfect blend of flavours that would be the perfect accompaniment to a variety of main dishes. I also love that it’s low in calories and loaded with fiber, making it a healthier option. I can’t wait to try this recipe myself and pair it with some mashed potatoes and green beans. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
That sounds delicious, Sonia! I sure hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Mayuri
Yummm…this was delicious and easy! A new family favorite. Added to my rotation list. Thanks for sharing.
angie
yummy for sure thanks for sharing we do have southern roots as well as English and German so goes to figure this is one of my favorite side dishes.
Heather
My husband is a cabbage lover. He loved this fried recipe. Definitely will make again.
LisaLisa
This is one of my favorite recipes. My sister makes this and man it tastes soooo good. I love fried cabbage.
Levi Cyr-Redcross
I love Fried cabbage and this is pretty much exactly how I make it minus the meat. Sometimes I use Field Roast Sausage as a replacement. 🙂
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip, Levi!
Debbie
I love this fried cabbage recipe. I could eat this once a week for the rest of my life. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Claudia
This was incredibly delicious! I’m living keto, so I make this recipe quite often. It is so yummy and easy to make.
Africa safari tours
this is very perfect
Clarice
This is my husband’s favorite but I love that you added bacon to it. Can’t wait to try it. This looks delicious.
Thank you for sharing the recipe. I think the cajun seasoning is a nice addition too.
Barbie Ritzman
Oh yummy! We love this side dish and make it often. It is a family favorite.
Gervin Khan
Oh my, this cabbage recipe was incredibly delicious and very yummy! It’s so easy to prepare and cook which is a big thumbs up! Many will definitely love this! Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!
Ntensibe Edgar
I usually like my cabbage to look like this or something similar to it. I want to try them out the southern fried way! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Stephanie
Another great recipe from this site! We enjoyed having this for dinner – I had never fried cabbage before!
Yolanda
Baby this Southern Fried Cabbage looks so good. I don’t eat bacon but I shared it with my parents and my mom and she is going to cook this on Sunday. Great post!
Debbie
I’m so excited to find this recipe. I LOVE cabbage and every recipe I can get my hands on – I make. I can’t wait to try this!
Rich
My Mama made this recipe for years.
Fantastic, Mouth Watering, Delicious and Memorable!!!
I’m making this dish 2 to 3 times a year.
Simple to make.
Perfect side to all Meats, Poltrey and Fried Fish.
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more!
pooja
This looks delicious and healthy! Would love to try this recipe
Blair villanueva
Wow, this is an amazingly simple recipe and we always have cabbage at home. I will try your recipe!
5-stars for this!
Rosey
Oh yes, cabbage and bacon go hand in hand. My family loves it too but we haven’t tried it this way yet!
Mae
I love cabbage! This is a wonderful twist with the smoked bacon! Easy and delicious dish!
Kat
It looks way too healthy for me lol! im not a veggie eater BUT this one i think i’d eat coz it has bacon yum!
Emman Damian
Wow! It looks so healthy and tasty! I hope I can try this soon. Yummy!
Cinny
That looks quite healthy. We could try this for dinner this week.
Fransic verso
This looks yummy, and it’s an awesome way of eating cabbage because sometimes we buy it and don’t have a lot of ideas for cooking it lol.
Emily Fata
Totally going to make this recipe! Hopefully, I can find my preferred vegan bacon brand at the grocery store when I do my grocery run today.
briannemanzb
I love your recipe. My sister’s family grows cabbages and we get deliveries from them sometimes. This is a great way to cook some cabbages!
Rose Ann Sales
This would make a great side dish. And so easy to cook! Love it!
Beth
I have to try this! I’ve never heard of cabbage like this before, but I love all the flavors in it. Yummo!
Stephanie
My husband and son will eat any vegetable as long as there’s bacon in it! This is so perfect for them to have a lot of flavors but also still have those veggies in there for them.
Talya Stone
Oh yum! Cabbage is so healthy but I never know what to do with it. But I do now! Thanks for the inspiration.
jen schreiner
WOW!!!! And it probably tastes just as good or, if not better, cold. I can’t wait to see if I am right.
Lily
This was amazing, I love the smokiness the bacon adds, so easy to make and super delicious!
Carrie Robinson
Such a great idea for a side dish! The bacon is definitely key in this. 🙂
Angela
I love cooked cabbage and this recipe did not disappoint. So easy to make!! Thanks for sharing.
Alisa Infanti
So good on grilled bbq sausages!
Lisalia
This is the BEST way to eat cabbage! Don’t you agree? lol I love the depth of flavor and how insanely easy it is. Thanks for this easy to make recipe that my whole family loved!
Jen
Any dish that has bacon in it is always going to be a winner in my house! Adds great flavor.
Toni
It’s really scrumptious! And I love how quick and easy it is to make!
Beth Sachs
I love the bacon in this southern fried cabbage recipe. It tastes amazing and even the kids ate it (who don’t like cabbage!).
Danielle Wolter
I absolutely love cabbage and bacon together. What an awesome recipe, came out so great!
Laura
Your tip to slice the cabbage really thin really helped. It definitely makes a differences.
Kay
I love cabbage, always have and always will! But my kids always refused it…. until I found this recipe! Its amazing how the bacon has changed their mind! So delicious 🙂
Dannii
I love cabbage, especially when fried. Everything is better with bacon too, right?!
April
This is the BEST way to eat cabbage! Sooooo good.
Allyson Zea
This is the best southern fried cabbage!
Shelley
Bacon and cabbage are terrific together! This looks delicious! My mom adores cabbage, and she’d just love this!
Jessie
This was a hit this weekend with the family we had in town.
Heather Johnson
bacon + cabbage is always yum! can’t wait to try this one
Beth Pierce
Thanks Heather! Enjoy!!
veenaazmanov
Looks crunchy, easy and a quick and easy recipe. Love the Bacon combination to it. Yum
Jo
Turns out great! Definitely keeping this recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Jo! So glad that you liked it!
Andrea Metlika
My family can make a meal out of this delicious cabbage!
Jackie Bingham
I mix it with egg noodles for a complete dinner
Cyd
I’ve never had cabbage like this before, but this recipe is amazing – thank you!
Betsy
Perfect side for almost any meal! Delicious and (mostly) healthy! And insanely easy!!
Linda
As an obviously uninitiated northerner, please tell me — seriously — can I use the already shredded bagged cabbage (the kind used for quick coleslaw)?
Beth Pierce
You can do that if you like. I like to slice my own so I can cut it just a tad bit thicker.
Stephanie
I’d never heard of this before but it looked too good not to try and I’m so glad I did. It was so stink’n delicious!
Kristyn
One of my favorite ways to eat cabbage! The bacon adds great flavor!
Erin
Not sure why some don’t like cabbage. This recipe is delish!! Defintely making again.
Toni
Such a delicious side dish! A new favorite at my house!
Vikki
Easiest dinner I ever made, the kids loved it immensely~
Allyson Zea
Such a southern staple! Can’t ever say no to this one!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Southern Fried Cabbage looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Jen
Bacon really does make everything better!! This wins over even my pickiest of eaters. Love it!
Kevin
What a great way to enjoy cabbage! Cannot wait to make this again!