The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (2024)

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Katerina

4.94 from 15 votes

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Fried Cabbage is a delicious comfort food recipe prepared with fresh cabbage and smoky bacon! It is a quick and easy side dish perfect for a weeknight meal.

The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (2)

The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe

What comes together in 10 minutes, in just one pan, and with 3 main ingredients? FRIED CABBAGE! Sweet and tender cabbage cooked with bacon results in a delicious dish great to serve alongside lamb, beef, chicken, or pork. Growing up Macedonian, during the winter, we always had cabbage dishes. From Cabbage Soup with Rice to Cabbage Rolls and this Fried Cabbage, you just couldn’t escape it. But that’s AY-OK (now it’s okay, not when I was a kid and just wanted mac and cheese like everyone else) because cabbage is rich in nutrients and promotes detoxification; it’s also packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.

This Fried Cabbage Recipe is all about mixing it up – it’s got crunch, flavor, and the kind of side dish that leaves you wanting seconds. Thanks to a good dose of bacon, garlic, and onion, every bite is a little celebration of taste that goes great with just about any main dish you’re serving up. And because it’s so quick to prepare and made with readily available ingredients, this recipe is a practical choice for busy weeknights.

Why You Should Make This Fried Cabbage Recipe

  • Easy: With minimal ingredients and a short cooking time, this dish is perfect for busy families.
  • Nutrient-Rich: Cabbage is packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants, offering a healthy yet tasty side option.
  • Versatility: This fried cabbage pairs beautifully with various chicken, beef, or pork dishes.
  • Low-Carb Friendly: A great option for those watching their carb intake, delivering flavor without the carbs.
The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (3)
The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (4)

Ingredients for Fried Cabbage

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this tasty fried cabbage – you might already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen!

  • Thick-Cut Bacon: You’ll need to dice 4 slices of bacon.
  • Yellow Onion
  • Green Cabbage: Remove the core and coarsely chop the cabbage or shred it.
  • Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a spicy kick for those who love a touch of heat.
  • Green Onions: Provides a colorful garnish and an extra layer of flavor.

How To Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon

This recipe comes together quickly. I advise you to prep your ingredients – dice the bacon, onion, garlic, and chop the cabbage – before you start to cook.

  1. Cook the diced bacon in a large nonstick skillet until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, retaining the grease in the skillet.
  2. Sauté the onion in the bacon grease until tender. Add the chopped cabbage and minced garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper, and stir until the cabbage is tender.
  3. Mix the cooked bacon back into the skillet with the cabbage mixture.
  4. Garnish with red pepper flakes and green onions before serving.
The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (5)

Tips and Variations For Frying Cabbage

  • Cabbage Selection: Choose a cabbage with tight, compact leaves, which is a sign of freshness. The outer leaves should be vibrant and crisp, not wilted.
  • Shredding Technique: When cutting your cabbage, make sure to shred or chop it uniformly. This ensures even cooking.
  • Don’t overcook the cabbage. Remove the skillet from the heat as soon as the cabbage is just tender. Overcooked cabbage will result in limp, mushy, and smelly cabbage.
  • Flavor the cabbage to your taste. Add paprika to it, dried herbs, onion powder, curry powder, or whatever else you might like.
  • If you want a vegetarian dish, leave out the bacon and use 2 tablespoons of avocado oil or olive oil instead of the bacon grease.
  • Veggie Variations: Consider adding other vegetables to the mix, such as bell peppers or sliced Brussels sprouts, for added flavor and texture.

How To Serve Cabbage

Cabbageis a versatile vegetable, and it goes well with chicken, pork, beef, or whatever you like to make a hearty meal. Consider making these smothered pork chops or this pork tenderloin, and then there’s my corned beef or a juicy roast chicken.

The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (6)

Storing Leftovers

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for 3 days.
  • Freezer: This dish tastes best when fresh, but you can freeze it for 2 months and then reheat it in a skillet.

More Cabbage Recipes

  • Balsamic Roasted Cabbage Steaks
  • Red Cabbage and Carrot Slaw Recipes
  • Classic Southern Coleslaw
  • Roasted Vegetable Salad
  • Cabbage Cucumber Salad
  • Corned Beef and Cabbage

ENJOY!

The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (7)

Fried Cabbage

Katerina | Diethood

Fried Cabbage is a delicious comfort food recipe prepared with fresh cabbage and smoky bacon. It is a quick and easy side dish perfect for busy days.

4.94 from 15 votes

Rate this Recipe!

Servings : 6 serves

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 small head green cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • sliced green onions, for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Cook the diced bacon in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat for about 5 minutes or to a desired crispness. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.

  • Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Stir in cabbage and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is just tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and stir the bacon back into the skillet.

  • Garnish with red pepper flakes and green onions, and serve.

Notes

  • Cabbage: Choose a cabbage with tight, compact leaves that appear vibrant and crisp, not wilted.
  • Shredding/Chopping: When cutting your cabbage, make sure to shred or chop it uniformly. This ensures even cooking.
  • Taste As You Go: Especially when seasoning, taste as you cook. This will help you determine if you need to add more salt, pepper, or other seasonings.
  • Veggies: Add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or sliced Brussels sprouts.
  • Spice: If you like a bit of heat, consider adding a dash of chili powder or a sprinkle of cayenne.
  • Cooking Time: Be cautious not to overcook the cabbage. You want it to be tender but still retain some crispness for texture.
  • Stir: While the cabbage is frying, make sure to stir it occasionally. This will help it cook evenly and prevent it from sticking to the pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 148 kcal | Carbohydrates: 11 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 10 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 16 mg | Sodium: 188 mg | Potassium: 338 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 182 IU | Vitamin C: 57 mg | Calcium: 67 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American/Southern, Balkans, Macedonian, Polish

Keyword: cabbage recipe, easy side dish, fried cabbage, keto friendly recipes, low carb side dish

Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

Categories:

  • Dinner Recipes
  • Lunch
  • One Pot Meals
  • Quick Dinner Ideas
  • Side Dishes
The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put baking soda in cabbage? ›

Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

How do you prevent gas from cabbage? ›

Cabbage contains an insoluble sugar and a lot of fiber. These can cause gas in some people. However, there are some herbs that might be useful, cooked with the cabbage, to reduce the amount of gas. These include dill seed, sage, caraway, basil, oregano, ginger, fennel, and allspice.

How do you cook cabbage without making it soggy? ›

Steaming is a gentle cooking method that helps retain the cabbage's crispiness and nutrients. To steam cabbage, place it in a steamer basket over simmering water and cover with a lid. Steam until it's tender yet still slightly crunchy. If you plan to sauté or stir-fry cabbage, consider blanching it first.

Is fried cabbage good to eat? ›

Unleash the potential of one of the most healthy and budget-friendly vegetables with this Fried Cabbage and bacon recipe. Thinly sliced cabbage and onions, cooked until tender with crispy bits of bacon, this easy side dish pairs well with your favorite meats, or enjoy it on its own for a quick meal.

How long to soak cabbage in baking soda? ›

Submerge the fruit or vegetables in the baking soda water. Let soak for 12 to 15 minutes. The time will help the baking soda do its job. Swish the produce around in the water or push it down several times to ensure all sides of the produce is being cleaned.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

What are the side effects of eating cabbage? ›

The negative side of cabbage

While cabbage offers lots of vitamins and minerals your body needs, there can be a downside to eating cabbage. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. It's best to slowly introduce these vegetables into your diet and gradually increase your intake.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating cabbage? ›

Cabbage and Its Cousins

Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cabbage, have the same sugars that make beans gassy. Their high fiber can also make them hard to digest. It will be easier on your stomach if you cook them instead of eating raw.

What does cabbage do to your digestive system? ›

It's Good for Your Digestion

Cabbage has 1 gram of fiber for every 10 calories. That helps fill you up, so you eat less. It also keeps you regular, and it could help lower your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and control your blood sugar. Cabbage also has nutrients that keep the lining of your stomach and intestines strong.

Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

One common reason is that the cabbage may have been overcooked. Overcooking cabbage releases sulfur compounds that can give it a bitter taste. Another possible reason is that the cabbage was not fresh. Old or spoiled cabbage can also taste bitter.

Why do people put vinegar on cabbage? ›

Flavor enhancement: Vinegar can add a tangy, bright flavor to vegetables, making them more palatable. The acidity in vinegar can also help to balance out other flavors and bring out the natural sweetness in the vegetables.

Why is my cabbage still tough after cooking? ›

If leaves are not pliable enough after parboiling for 1 minute, return them to simmering water another 1-2 minutes to desired softness. Are you salting the water before parboiling? Salt can help soften cabbage.

Do you rinse cabbage before frying? ›

In addition to a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate's degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. Before you cook that cabbage, studies suggest you wash it before beginning to cook it.

Why should cabbage not be eaten raw? ›

Raw cabbage can harbour harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella.

How long is fried cabbage good for? ›

Leftover fried cabbage will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Store in a tightly covered container to keep the cabbage fresh, and to prevent odors from seeping into other foods in the fridge. If you liked this fried cabbage dish, be sure to try more of our Southern cabbage recipes, like cabbage casserole.

What happens if you add baking soda to cabbage water? ›

The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution based on the color that it changes. The vinegar will turn the cabbage juice red because it is an acid (acetic acid). The baking soda will turn the cabbage juice greenish-yellow because it is a base (sodium bicarbonate).

What can you put on cabbage to stop bugs from eating it? ›

I've had good luck using diatomaceous earth if I end up with the cabbage moth larvae, plus you can use products with Bt such as Thuricide. With the organic means, you'll have to reapply the products after a rain or using the sprinler.

What is the disadvantage of using baking soda to vegetables? ›

This is a bad practice, however, and you should avoid adding baking soda when boiling any type of vegetable. It has various unwelcome effects, such as softening the vegetable, altering the vegetable's flavor, destroying thiamine content, and hastening the loss of vitamin C.

What happens to green vegetables when added with baking soda? ›

We got some surprising results. Baking soda does help green vegetables retain color, but it causes undesirable color changes in red cabbage—it turned blue. The science can be distilled to this: Adding baking soda to cooking water makes it slightly alkaline, which stabilizes the green color of chlorophyll.

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