Welcome to the ultimate guide for making Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon, a quintessential Southern comfort food side dish that promises rich flavor and incredible simplicity. In under 20 minutes, you can transform humble ingredients into a family favorite that’s both hearty and endlessly satisfying. This dish isn’t just easy; it’s a flavorful journey back to the roots of Southern cooking, where simple ingredients are elevated to extraordinary heights with a touch of warmth and tradition.
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon: A Timeless Comfort Food Side
My husband, having grown up in Alabama, introduced me to the pure magic of Southern cuisine. Among his cherished family recipes, this Southern-style fried cabbage and bacon holds a special place. It’s a versatile dish, often served simply as a vegetable side, but sometimes even paired with egg noodles to transform it into a more substantial meal. The secret to its irresistible taste lies in the savory blend of tender cabbage, smoky bacon, and caramelized onions, all cooked to perfection in the delicious bacon grease.
While this recipe features a generous amount of flavorful bacon, feel free to experiment. You can easily substitute or add smoked sausage for an extra boost of protein and a different depth of flavor. Whether enjoyed on its own as a light, satisfying dish or as a robust accompaniment to a main course, this fried cabbage recipe is a quick and effortless way to bring authentic Southern taste to your table. Forget hours of preparation; this dish proves that incredible flavor can be achieved with minimal fuss.
This fried Southern cabbage is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, delivering amazing taste every time. It’s the perfect complement to classic comfort foods like creamy mashed potatoes, or it can be a delightful standalone dish. For a truly Southern experience, serve it alongside a hearty piece of cornbread and a tall glass of iced tea, making for a truly memorable meal.
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Southern Flavor
Creating truly epic Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon starts with simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to capture that rich, authentic taste. Exact measurements and step-by-step instructions are typically found in a printable recipe card, but this overview will highlight the stars of our dish:
- Bacon: The undisputed MVP of this dish. We highly recommend thick-cut bacon not only for its robust flavor but also for the generous amount of rendered bacon grease it provides, which is crucial for cooking the cabbage.
- Butter: Adds a creamy richness and helps mellow the savory intensity of the bacon grease.
- Onion: Sweetens and deepens the flavor profile as it caramelizes in the bacon-butter mixture. A medium yellow or white onion works best.
- Green Cabbage: The star vegetable. A medium head of fresh green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced, will provide the perfect texture and absorb all the wonderful flavors.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste and balancing the rich flavors.
Optional Add-Ins and Flavor Boosters
While the core ingredients create a fantastic dish, these optional additions can customize your fried cabbage to your liking:
- Cajun Seasoning: For those who love a bit of heat and a spicy kick. Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon, or more, depending on your preference.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Another excellent option for introducing a gentle warmth or a fiery punch.
- Olive Oil: Can be used in combination with or in place of some of the bacon grease/butter if you’re looking to adjust the fat content slightly.
- Garlic Powder or Minced Garlic: Enhances the aromatic depth. Add minced garlic with the onions for best results, or stir in garlic powder with your salt and pepper.
- Ham Pieces: If you want to boost the protein and smoky flavor without additional bacon, cooked ham pieces are a great choice.
- Bell Peppers: Sliced green or red bell peppers can add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
- Carrots or Celery: Part of a traditional mirepoix, these can add subtle sweetness and texture.
- Onion Powder: For an extra layer of onion flavor without adding more texture.
Sweet Fried Cabbage: If you prefer a touch of sweetness, a small sprinkle of sugar (a teaspoon or two) stirred in towards the end of cooking can achieve this beautifully.
Selecting Your Ingredients for the Best Results
- Bacon: As mentioned, thick-cut bacon is king here. It renders sufficient fat, which is vital for coating the cabbage evenly and imparting that signature smoky flavor. Avoid overly lean bacon, as it won’t produce enough grease.
- Butter: You have the choice of salted or unsalted butter. We typically opt for unsalted butter, as it gives us precise control over the overall saltiness of the dish, allowing us to season to taste at the end.
- Cabbage: Choose a firm, fresh head of green cabbage that feels heavy for its size. A medium-sized cabbage generally fits well in a large skillet. Freshly cut cabbage is always preferred over pre-shredded varieties, as the latter can become mushy much faster when cooked.
Equipment Needed
Gathering the right tools before you start ensures a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience:
- Large skillet or Large Pot: A spacious pan is crucial. A large cast-iron skillet or a Dutch oven (around 10-12 inches) works perfectly, allowing the cabbage to cook evenly without overcrowding. Overcrowding can lead to steamed, rather than fried, cabbage.
- Wooden Spoons: Ideal for stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan without damaging its surface.
- Sharp Knife: Essential for safely and efficiently coring and slicing the cabbage, and chopping the onion.
How to Prepare Your Cabbage for Frying
How to core a cabbage
Coring a cabbage might seem daunting, but it’s straightforward. Start by cutting the cabbage into quarters through the stem. For each quarter, carefully slice out the thick, hard triangular core at the base. Once the core is removed, you can then cut the cabbage quarters into thin slices or shreds, as desired. Thin slices cook faster and absorb more flavor.
Loving cabbage? Don’t stop here! Be sure to explore our other fantastic cabbage recipes like Corned Beef and Cabbage, delicious Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls, comforting Cabbage Roll Soup, and the savory Kielbasa and Cabbage with Apples.
How to Make Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
While the full detailed instructions are usually in a printable recipe card, here’s a simplified version of the cooking process to guide you through creating this delightful Southern dish:
- Cook the Bacon: In your large skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium-high heat until they reach your desired level of crispness. Once cooked, remove the bacon pieces from the pan, but be sure to reserve the rendered bacon grease in the skillet. This flavorful fat is the foundation of our fried cabbage.
- Sauté the Onions: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the reserved bacon grease in the skillet and let it melt, stirring to combine. Introduce the chopped onion to this rich mixture and cook until the onions become tender and slightly translucent, which typically takes 3-5 minutes. The exact time may vary based on your pan’s heat and onion size.
- Combine with Bacon: Return the cooked and chopped bacon pieces to the skillet with the softened onions. Stir everything together, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add and Cook Cabbage: Add the thinly sliced cabbage to the skillet. Cook the cabbage until it reaches your desired tenderness, stirring frequently to ensure it’s evenly coated with the butter-bacon grease mixture and to prevent any pieces from burning. Continue stirring occasionally as the cabbage wilts and softens.
- Season and Serve: Finally, season the fried cabbage generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust as needed until the flavors are perfectly balanced. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Southern creation!
Preparation and Storage Tips for Best Results
Make Ahead
While Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is incredibly delicious when freshly made, we generally recommend serving this vegetable side dish immediately after preparation. The reason is simple: as the cabbage continues to sit in the pan or in a container, it tends to lose its desirable tender-crisp texture and can become overly soft. The fresh crunch or tender bite is part of its charm!
Storage
If you do have leftovers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly, and they will remain delicious for up to three days. Beyond this, the quality of the cabbage may start to diminish.
Freezing/How to Freeze
We strongly advise against freezing this dish. Cabbage, particularly when cooked this way, does not freeze well. Upon thawing, it typically transforms into a watery, soggy mess, losing all its appealing texture and much of its flavor. This is one dish best enjoyed fresh or within a few days from the refrigerator.
How to Reheat
Reheating leftover Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is simple. For individual servings, the microwave works perfectly for a quick warm-up. For larger portions or if you prefer a slightly crisper texture, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly warmed through. Be careful not to overcook it during reheating, as this can lead to further softening of the cabbage.
Customizing Your Fried Cabbage: Recipe Variations for Every Taste
This classic Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Here are some ideas to tweak it to suit various dietary needs and flavor preferences:
Substitutions
- Bacon: While thick-cut bacon is our top recommendation for its flavor and rendered grease, feel free to use regular-cut bacon if that’s what you have on hand. Just be mindful that it may yield less grease, so you might need to add a touch more butter or olive oil.
- Butter: If you’re managing salt intake, unsalted butter is ideal as it gives you complete control. However, salted butter can certainly be used; just adjust your final salt seasoning accordingly.
- Cabbage Type: While green cabbage is traditional, you can experiment with other varieties. Napa cabbage, for instance, has a milder flavor and softer texture. Red cabbage can also be used, but note that its color will bleed into the dish.
Vegetarian Option
To make this Southern Fried Cabbage vegetarian-friendly, simply replace the bacon with a plant-based meat alternative designed for frying, or omit it entirely and rely on smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. You’ll need to add extra butter or olive oil to sauté the onions and cabbage if you’re skipping the bacon grease.
Vegan Option
Building on the vegetarian guidance, for a vegan version, ensure you use a plant-based butter alternative in addition to a meatless bacon substitute or by omitting bacon altogether. All other ingredients are naturally vegan.
Gluten-Free
This Southern classic is inherently gluten-free, as its primary ingredients (cabbage, bacon, onion, butter, salt, pepper) do not typically contain gluten. However, it’s always wise to check the labels on your bacon to ensure no hidden gluten-containing flavorings or preservatives have been added to avoid cross-contamination.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings
The base recipe typically yields around eight servings, making it perfect for a family meal or a small gathering. Most recipe cards offer a convenient slider tool that allows you to effortlessly scale the ingredient quantities up or down. If you’re cooking for a larger crowd, remember to use a very large skillet or work in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent the cabbage from frying properly.
Make It Spicy
For those who love a bit of a kick, adding ¼ to ½ teaspoon of your favorite Cajun seasoning will infuse the cabbage with a delightful warmth. For extra heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can also be stirred in while the onions are sautéing.
Sugar-Free
The traditional recipe contains very little sugar (often around 4 grams per serving, mostly naturally occurring). To ensure a completely sugar-free dish, the main consideration is your bacon choice. Many processed bacons contain added sugars for curing. Look for bacon labeled “sugar-free” or “no added sugar.”
Expert Tips for Achieving Cabbage Perfection
To ensure your Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon turns out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Don’t Burn the Bacon: While you want your bacon crispy, avoid burning it. Burnt bacon imparts a bitter flavor that will unfortunately transfer to your entire dish, ruining the delicate balance. Cook it to a perfect golden crisp.
- Mind the Pan Size: A large enough skillet is non-negotiable. Using a pan that is too small will overcrowd the cabbage, causing it to steam rather than fry. This results in watery, mushy cabbage instead of tender, flavorful strands. Ensure there’s ample space for stirring and even cooking.
- Control the Texture: The beauty of fried cabbage is its versatility in texture. If you prefer your cabbage very tender and soft, simply cook it a little longer, stirring occasionally. For those who enjoy a bit more bite and crunch, cook it for a shorter duration until it reaches your desired al dente texture.
- Freshness Matters: Always opt for a fresh head of cabbage that you core and slice just before cooking. While pre-cut, bagged cabbage might seem convenient, it tends to contain more moisture and can become mushy much faster when exposed to heat, lacking the vibrant texture of freshly prepared cabbage.
- Even Coating is Key: Ensure every strand of cabbage is well-coated with the bacon grease and butter mixture. This is where the flavor truly infuses, creating that signature rich taste. Stir thoroughly and frequently, especially after adding the cabbage to the pan.
- Seasoning in Layers: Don’t just season at the very end. While the final salt and pepper adjustment is important, consider seasoning the onions lightly as they cook, and then again once the cabbage has started to wilt. This builds layers of flavor.
What to Serve with Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This savory bacon-infused Southern vegetable side dish is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a wide array of Southern-inspired meals. Here are some menu planning suggestions to help you create a complete and delightful spread:
Perfect Side Dish Pairings
- Broccoli Casserole: A creamy, cheesy counterpoint.
- Apple Stuffing: Adds a touch of sweetness and fruitiness.
- Funeral Potatoes: Another comforting, cheesy potato dish.
- BLT Pasta Salad: A refreshing and hearty pasta salad.
- Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream: Essential for soaking up all the delicious juices.
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams: A sweet and vibrant holiday favorite.
- Southern Style Green Beans: Another classic Southern green vegetable.
Hearty Main Dishes
- Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken: A creamy and comforting chicken dish.
- Stovetop Meatloaf: A classic, savory meatloaf that pairs perfectly.
- Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers: A crunchy, creamy, and satisfying casserole.
- CrockPot Rosemary Pork: Tender pork with aromatic rosemary.
- Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings: A true Southern classic that feels like a warm hug.
- Grilled Pork Chops: The smoky flavors of the cabbage perfectly complement juicy, grilled pork.
Delightful Desserts to Follow
- Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake: A decadent and rich Southern dessert.
- Lemon Bars: A zesty and refreshing sweet treat.
- Lemon Icebox Pie: A cool and tangy classic.
- Best Rice Krispie Treats: Simple, classic, and always a hit.
- Lemon Dump Cake: An incredibly easy and delicious citrus dessert.
- Pig Pickin’ Cake: A fruity, Southern staple.
- Bisquick Apple Cobbler: Warm, spiced apple goodness.
- Bisquick Peach Cobbler: A taste of summer any time of year.
Refreshing Drinks
- Coke Slushie: A fun, icy treat.
- Red Robin Freckled Lemonade: A sweet and tangy beverage.
- CopyCat McDonald’s Sweet Tea: The quintessential Southern drink to complete your meal.
When to Serve Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This versatile side dish is perfect for almost any occasion, from casual weeknight meals to festive gatherings:
- Lunch: A light yet filling option, perhaps with a side of cornbread.
- Dinner: The ideal accompaniment to a range of main courses, from roasted chicken to pork chops.
- Potlucks: Always a popular choice, as it’s easy to transport and holds up well.
- Cookouts: A fantastic alternative to traditional barbecue sides.
- Family and Friend Gatherings: A comforting dish that evokes warmth and hospitality.
- Holiday Feasts: Adds a touch of Southern charm to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fried Cabbage
What kind of cabbage is best for frying?
Green cabbage is traditionally used and highly recommended for Southern fried cabbage due to its firm texture and mild flavor, which stands up well to frying and absorbs the bacon-y goodness beautifully. You can also use Napa cabbage for a slightly milder and softer result.
How do I prevent my fried cabbage from being watery or soggy?
The key is a large, hot skillet and not overcrowding the pan. When too much cabbage is added at once, the temperature of the pan drops, causing the cabbage to steam in its own moisture rather than fry. Cook in batches if necessary, and ensure excess moisture is allowed to evaporate. Also, start with fresh, dry cabbage.
Can I make this recipe without bacon?
Absolutely! While bacon is a star, you can make a delicious vegetarian version. Sauté your onions in olive oil or butter, and add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. You can also use a vegetarian or vegan bacon substitute.
Why is bacon grease so important?
Bacon grease is fundamental to authentic Southern fried cabbage. It infuses the dish with a rich, smoky, and savory depth of flavor that butter or other oils simply cannot replicate. It’s a key component of the dish’s signature taste profile.
How finely should I chop the cabbage?
For fried cabbage, thin slices or shreds are generally preferred. This allows the cabbage to cook quickly and tenderly, absorbing the flavors more effectively. Avoid large, chunky pieces which will take longer to cook and may not soften as evenly.
Explore More Delicious Recipes
If you’re constantly on the hunt for delicious, easy-to-make recipes, you’ve come to the right place. Dive into these fantastic collections that cater to every craving and occasion:
- 45+ Recipes with Bacon! The Best Bacon Recipes: Because everything’s better with bacon!
- Celery Recipes (What to Make with Celery): Creative ways to use this versatile vegetable.
- 30+ Delicious and Easy Vegetable Side Dishes for Any Occasion: Expand your repertoire of healthy and flavorful accompaniments.
- 70 + Easy Potluck Recipes for Your Next Gathering: Never be stumped for a potluck dish again.
- 30+ Casserole Recipes for Busy Nights: Hearty, comforting meals perfect for weeknights.
Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes to recreate your restaurant favorites, explore our delightful dessert recipes for something sweet, and simplify your cooking with our extensive collection of CrockPot Recipes.
For daily inspiration, mouth-watering recipes, and helpful tips, make sure to follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Join our community of food lovers today!
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
How to make Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. The perfect side dish that takes less than 20 minutes to prepare.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 151kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 8 slices Bacon (cooked, chopped, keep the bacon grease)
- 1 medium Onion (chopped)
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 medium Cabbage (cored and sliced thin)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook bacon to desired texture, remove bacon from the skillet but reserve the bacon grease.
- Add butter to bacon grease over medium low heat. Stir together.
- Add in chopped onion and cook until tender. Add chopped bacon into pan and stir together.
- Add the thinly sliced cabbage and cook until tender. Stir together to evenly coat with bacon butter mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Kitchen Tools
- 10 inch Cast Iron Skillet
Nutrition
Love this recipe? Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest
Tried this recipe? Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo!