The sound of cabbage sizzling in bacon drippings takes me straight back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where supper meant comfort on a plate. This Southern fried cabbage recipe turns humble ingredients into pure soul food magic. It’s the kind of dish that brings families together around the table.
This simple skillet dish combines tender cabbage with smoky bacon, sweet onions, and just the right touch of garlic. It’s like having a warm hug in a cast iron pan – comforting, honest, and made from ingredients you probably already have. Full details in the blog!
I’ve been making this dish for decades, watching cabbage transform from ordinary to extraordinary with a little patience and love. My mother taught me the secret is letting those bacon drippings work their magic slowly. I tested every step to make sure it turns out perfect for your family too.
PrintSouthern Fried Cabbage for an Irresistible Dinner
Enjoy this easy southern fried cabbage with onion garlic and bacon fried cabbage creole seasoning. It makes a perfect side for any meal and brings comforting southern style fried cabbage no sugar flavors to your table. A soul food fried cabbage red pepper flakes favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, southern
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 slices of bacon cooked crisp
- 2 tablespoons bacon drippings
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion peeled and chopped
- 1 medium sweet green pepper chopped can use a combination of both red and green
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 small head cabbage chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning optional
- 1 cup chicken broth
- paprika
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a pan until it is crispy, then remove it and drain on paper towels. Keep the bacon aside.
- Remove extra bacon drippings from the pan but leave 2 tablespoons of drippings.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the bacon drippings over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, green pepper, minced garlic, chopped cabbage, salt, black pepper, optional Cajun seasoning, and chicken broth to the pan.
- Cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes until the cabbage softens to your preference.
- Take the pan off the heat, crumble the cooked bacon over the cabbage, and finish with a sprinkle of paprika. Serve hot.
Nutrition
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g + 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Why This Southern Fried Cabbage Will Win Your Heart
There’s something magical about how Southern fried cabbage fills your kitchen with the most comforting aromas. The bacon drippings create a rich foundation that transforms ordinary cabbage into something extraordinary, while the onion and sweet green pepper add layers of flavor that remind you why simple ingredients make the best meals.
This recipe captures the essence of true soul food without any fuss or fancy techniques. The cabbage becomes tender and flavorful as it slowly cooks in the beautiful combination of bacon drippings and butter, absorbing every bit of smoky goodness along the way.
Breaking Down Your Simple Ingredients
Every ingredient in this dish serves a purpose, creating harmony in your skillet. The bacon provides an essential smoky base, while the bacon drippings become the cooking medium that infuses everything with rich flavor. The combination of onion, sweet green pepper, and minced garlic creates an aromatic foundation that Southern cooks have relied on for generations.
- Cabbage: Choose a firm, fresh head that feels heavy for its size
- Bacon drippings: The secret to authentic flavordon’t skip this step
- Chicken broth: Adds moisture and helps steam the cabbage to perfect tenderness
- Cajun seasoning: Optional but recommended for an extra layer of Southern warmth
| Ingredient | Purpose | Easy Swap |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | Smoky flavor base | Turkey bacon for lighter option |
| Sweet green pepper | Mild sweetness | Mix red and green peppers |
| Cajun seasoning | Warm spice blend | Red pepper flakes for heat |
| Chicken broth | Moisture and flavor | Vegetable broth works too |
How This Magic Happens Step by Step
The beauty of this easy Southern fried cabbage onion garlic recipe lies in its simplicity. Start by cooking your bacon until it’s perfectly crispthis creates the flavorful foundation for everything that follows. Save those precious bacon drippings because they’re liquid gold for this dish.
Once you’ve melted the butter into those bacon drippings, the real transformation begins. Add your chopped vegetables and watch as they start to soften and release their natural sweetness. The key is cooking everything on medium-low heat, covered, so the cabbage steams gently in its own juices mixed with the chicken broth.
- First 5 minutes: Vegetables start to soften and become fragrant
- 10-15 minutes: Cabbage begins to wilt and absorb all those beautiful flavors
- Final 5 minutes: Everything melds together into tender perfection
Getting It Just Right Every Time
The most common question I hear is about cabbage texture, and honestly, this comes down to personal preference. Some folks love their cabbage with a little bite, while others prefer it completely tender. The beauty is you can control this by adjusting the cooking time and checking along the way.
Pro Tip: If your cabbage seems to be cooking too quickly, lower the heat and add a splash more chicken broth. If it’s taking longer than expected, remove the lid for the last few minutes to let excess moisture evaporate.
| Cooking Time | Texture Result | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | Slightly crisp | Those who like texture |
| 18 minutes | Tender but firm | Perfect middle ground |
| 20+ minutes | Very soft | Traditional Southern style |
Making It Your Own
This recipe welcomes your personal touches beautifully. If you’re looking for a lighter version, turkey bacon works wonderfully and still gives you those essential drippings for flavor. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, red pepper flakes can be added along with the other seasonings.
The Cajun seasoning is optional, but I encourage you to try it at least onceit adds a complexity that elevates this skillet fried cabbage bacon drippings dish from good to absolutely memorable. You can also experiment with the pepper combination, using both red and green sweet peppers for extra color and subtle flavor variation.
Serving and Storing Your Southern Comfort
This dish shines alongside cornbread, fried chicken, or any hearty protein that needs a comforting vegetable companion. The smoky, savory flavors make it perfect for Sunday dinners or any time you want to bring a little Southern warmth to your table.
Leftovers reheat beautifully in a skillet over medium-low heat with just a splash of chicken broth to refresh the moisture. I’ve found it actually tastes even better the next day as all the flavors have had time to meld completely.
| Storage Method | Duration | Reheating Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3-4 days | Add splash of broth when reheating |
| Freezer | 2-3 months | Thaw overnight, reheat gently |
| Room temperature | 2 hours max | Reheat to 165°F before serving |
Expert Says
Southern fried cabbage is not just comfort food; it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Cabbage is rich in vitamins C and K, and when sautéed, it maintains its fiber content while developing a sweet, caramelized flavor. This method enhances both taste and texture, making it a delicious side dish.
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The Quest for Southern Fried Cabbage
Perfecting my Southern fried cabbage took more attempts than I care to admit. I learned the hard way that undercooking leaves it too crunchy, while overcooking turns it mushy. It was during one of those trials, with the smell of bacon filling the air, that I grasped how patience and love weave soul into every bite.
FAQs ( SOUTHERN FRIED CABBAGE )
How to get the best flavor from Southern Fried Cabbage?
For maximum flavor, sauté the cabbage with onions and garlic in bacon drippings. The combination of these ingredients infuses the dish with a rich taste. Adding Creole seasoning can also enhance the flavor profile, giving it a delightful kick.
Can I make this with turkey bacon?
Yes, you can substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon in this recipe. While turkey bacon has less fat, it still provides a smoky flavor. You may need to add a bit of oil or butter to ensure the cabbage cooks well.
What is the best way to cut the cabbage?
Shred the cabbage into thin strips for even cooking. Start by cutting the cabbage in half, then remove the core. From there, slice it into quarter-inch-wide strips. This ensures each piece cooks evenly and absorbs flavor.
How long to cook Southern Fried Cabbage?
Cook this dish for about 15-20 minutes over medium heat. Stir frequently until the cabbage is tender and slightly caramelized. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired texturelonger for softer cabbage, shorter for a bit of crunch.
Is Southern Fried Cabbage healthy?
This dish can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you control the amount of bacon and use olive oil. Cabbage is low in calories and packed with vitamins. Adding more vegetables or using a leaner protein enhances its health benefits.
A Dish That Brings Generations Together
This Southern fried cabbage cooks up in just 20 minutes, filling your kitchen with aromas that bring everyone together. You’ll love how the cabbage becomes tender and smoky, soaking up every bit of that bacon goodness. It’s simple comfort food that reminds you why the best meals come from the heart, not fancy techniques.
For a lighter touch, try turkey baconit still gives you those precious drippings we need. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds warmth if your family enjoys a little heat. This dish keeps beautifully in the fridge for days, and here’s a little secret from my kitchen: it tastes even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to meld together.
I’d love to hear if this recipe stirs up memories from your own family table. Did your grandmother have a version that made Sunday dinners special? Share a photo when you make itthere’s something heartwarming about seeing how these timeless dishes continue bringing families together, one skillet at a time.
