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Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

Old-Fashioned Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Published: Apr 13, 2023 Last Updated: Apr 13, 2023 by Marye 1437 words. | About 8 minutes to read this article.

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20 minutes mins
What's not to love about this classic southern side dish? Fried cabbage with bacon and onions is country comfort food - easy to make and easy on the budget!
Close up of cabbage and bacon in a skillet with a text overlay for Pinterest.
Close of up finished cabbage recipe with text overlay for Pinterest.

Cabbage and crispy bacon is a classic combination of country flavors! This traditional southern side dish is quick, easy, and always a family favorite.

Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want to go to.

Overhead view of cabbage and bacon in an iron skillet.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🎥 Video
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
  • 📞 The last word
  • Southern Fried Cabbage
  • 💬 Comments

If you're looking for the perfect side dish recipe look no further! Cozy, country comfort food at its best! You might also like these smothered green beans.

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Hearty dish that's inexpensive, too
  • Quick and easy one pot side dish
  • Make it ahead and warm it up when you're ready to eat (but leave the cooked bacon in a ziploc by itself and add it in just before serving)

Southern fried cabbage and onions become sweet and tender as they cook; absorbing the flavors of the bacon, garlic, and chicken broth or stock.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

If you'd like to keep this vegetarian simply leave out the bacon and use 2 tablespoons of butter or oil to saute in. Substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock.

Labeled ingredients for fried cabbage recipe.
Cut the fat by using turkey bacon if you want.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Collage of step by step images for making this fried cabbage recipe.
  1. Fry the bacon; remove from pan. Pour off all the bacon fat, reserving a couple of tablespoons.
  2. Saute onions
  3. Add cabbage.
  4. Add stock and seasoning and cook according to the instructions in the green recipe card below.

🎥 Video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Cover image for the fried cabbage YouTube video. Click to go to YouTube.
See how to make fried cabbage on the RestlessChipotle YouTube Channel!

🥫 Storage

Leftover fried cabbage should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within 4 days or so.

You can also freeze it after cooking. It'll be fine for up to 3 months.

📖 Variations

There are plenty of variations to this southern fried cabbage recipe. Here are some of my favorites.

  • Add a little garlic powder if you want.
  • A sprinkle of crushed red peppers is delicious!
  • Fried cabbage and potatoes are another classic combination. Just add small, peeled and cubed potatoes with the cabbage and cook until they are cooked through. This is a great way to use up leftover potatoes, too!
  • A Louisiana fried cabbage recipe is made by adding sliced andouille sausage in with the bacon and using about a tablespoon of Cajun seasoning instead of the salt and pepper. Serve over cooked white rice.
  • Fried cabbage and noodles is another simple side dish. Just stir in ½ pound of cooked, drained egg noodles in during the last 5 minutes of cook time.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Don't get fancy. The best southern fried cabbage recipe is made with the plain, ordinary green of cabbage. Other types don't hold up as well.

  • Any sauteed cabbage recipe should be cooked over medium heat so that it doesn't scorch.
  • The cabbage core should be removed because it is tough and doesn't cook down well.
  • Some people like to add a teaspoon or so of brown sugar to give this easy side dish a little sweetness.
  • Make this a main dish by slicing up smoked sausage or kielbasa and adding it with the onions.
  • Cut the head of cabbage into 1-inch pieces. If you slice it in thin shreds it's just not as good.
  • Add the bacon JUST before serving. If it simmers with the cabbage it will get unappetizingly floppy.
  • Make sure the bacon is extra crispy! It adds texture as well as flavor to the dish.
  • Give the cabbage time to soften but try a bite of it every couple of minutes. Some people like it with a little crunch and some like it very soft. If you taste it every few minutes then you'll know exactly how long to cook it next time!
  • If you taste your southern fried cabbage and feel like it's just missing "something" sprinkle a little apple cider vinegar over it.
  • I think this recipe works best in a cast iron skillet but any large skillet will do.
  • Bacon grease adds flavor but you can use olive oil or butter if you prefer.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

What goes good with cooked cabbage?

Just about anything! Meatloaf, French onion chicken, or smothered chicken are some of my favorites.

How do you cut cabbage?

Cut it in half from its top down through the tough core. Now, place it on the cutting board, cut side down, and slice it around the core. Throw the core away and repeat with the other half.

Does fried cabbage have carbs?

This southern fried cabbage recipe has about 7 net carbs per serving.

Closeup of this fried cabbage recipe showing the crispy bacon and tender vegetables.
Fried cabbage and onions is simply delicious!

📚 Related recipes

  • Easy Galumpkis {Cabbage Rolls} in a Crock Pot can be made "stuffed" or chop the ingredients and slow cook them "unstuffed" as a casserole.
  • Braised Pork and Red Cabbage in the Slow Cooker is a classic! Tender pork roast and tangy cabbage... yummy!
  • Bacon Bread is a unique sandwich bread recipe that makes the BEST grilled cheese!
  • Creamed cabbage is an old fashioned side dish that's just as delicious now as it was back in the day.
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🍽️ Serve with...

Southern fried cabbage is a great side dish for almost anything!

  • Fried pork chops and gravy, mashed potatoes and a side of fried cabbage? It doesn't get more southern than that!
  • This is delicious with chicken fried steak!
  • Try it with this seasoned bottom round roast.
  • Be sure to have plenty of buttermilk biscuits on the table.

🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • iron skillet
  • knife
  • cutting board

📞 The last word

My mom used to keep a pressed glass vinegar cruet filled with tiny, hot peppers and vinegar on the table. It had a matching stopper and you'd pull the stopper up and dribble some of that tangy, spicy goodness over your fried cabbage.... mmmm.... nothing like it!

If you've got lots of cabbage on hand be sure to try these crockpot cabbage rolls!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Closeup of fried cabbage and bacon in a skillet.
4.62 from 72 votes

Southern Fried Cabbage

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What's not to love about this classic southern side dish? Fried cabbage with bacon and onions is country comfort food - easy to make and easy on the budget!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American - Southern
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings:6
Calories:179
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Iron Skillet

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon, cut in pieces
  • 2 tablespoons bacon grease
  • 1 cup onions, chopped
  • 1 ½ pounds cabbage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
  • ⅓ cup chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, or more to taste
  • crushed red pepper flakes, optional, to taste

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Saute the bacon in a heavy skillet until crispy.
  • Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside.
  • Spoon off all but about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.
  • Add the onions to the skillet and saute until they just begin to become translucent.
  • Add the cabbage and garlic; saute, stirring often, for about 10 minutes.
  • Add the chicken stock and seasoned salt. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it is as tender as you like and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
  • Stir in the bacon and serve.

Notes

Storage:
Leftover fried cabbage should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within 4 days or so.
You can also freeze it after cooking. It'll be fine for up to 3 months.
Tips: 
  • The best variety for fried cabbage is the plain, ordinary green cabbage. Other types don't hold up as well.
  • Some people like to add a teaspoon or so of brown sugar to give fried cabbage a little sweetness.
  • Make this a main dish by slicing up smoked sausage and adding it with the cabbage.
  • Cut the cabbage into 1-inch pieces. If you slice it in thin shreds it's just not as good.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 581mg | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Originally published March 29, 2021. Last updated April 13, 2023 for readability and reader experience.

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      About Marye

      With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Samantha O'Neal

        March 28, 2022 at 7:02 pm

        5 stars
        I was super surprised! Super delicious and kinda tasted like a homemade cabbage Chinese food, IT WAS SOOOO GOOD! I would definitely add some chicken to it too! It's so good!

        Reply
      2. sharita ash

        October 25, 2021 at 5:05 pm

        5 stars
        Just made it! It was good. I added ac vinegar and brown sugar. No stock but it turned out well.

        Reply
      3. Deborah

        March 29, 2021 at 9:10 am

        5 stars
        I make my fried cabbage in the microwave. I do use bacon grease for seasoning as well as salt and pepper. It is so good.

        Reply

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      Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

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      NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies.

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