Our simple cabbage recipe can be made on the stovetop right next to your main dish. Using a Dutch Oven, our cabbage and bacon recipe with onions on the stove is cheap and can be made Southern style with a bit of spicy heat too if you like.
Fried cabbage with bacon and onions is one thing that has been served in our family for years. It originated from an Old Fashioned stewed cabbage dish my Grandmother made when her kids were little, like that long ago. She LOVED using these leaves for all sorts of dishes. (affiliate links present)
Dutch Oven Cabbage and Bacon Recipe
These two ingredients go so well together. Since the head itself has very little flavor you really want something to pack a punch to wilt and soften each bite + add a lot of YUM. Instead of Boiling Cabbage you are instead sauteeing in the butter, bacon grease and all these other flavors.
Same goes for our slow cooker cabbage recipe. I mean you can add seasonings and get it tender but with a bit more texture in a pan on the stovetop is better if you ask me. I mean each has itโs place and time but for overall goodness Iโd try this one.
Ingredient Notes
- 6 slices bacon diced, not drained because bacon fat means flavor yโall
- 1 head of cabbage is used in this case unless you want less then you could cut everything in half.
- Onions and garlic too if youโd like, minced for both
- Butter or olive oil for a dairy free option
- Vegetable broth or chicken stock works depending on what taste youโre going for
- Soy sauce gives it a umami flavor, rich. Use aminos for a gluten free option
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt I like better than just salt and pepper for seasonings
- Old Bay is a must for us but you could use Lawryโs instead
- Add some dry Sriracha or some red pepper flakes if youโd like a little heat or to make it spicy
If you have leftovers from your Italian sausage in oven from the other night just dice that up and you donโt really need to saute, just warm before adding everything else.
Variations
Now you could make this more of a meal with heartier meat, like our Crockpot Cabbage and Sausage, or more than one. Instead of or in addition to the bacon you could brown beef with it too like our unstuffed cabbage casserole recipe does. You could use leftover ham too after the holidays. It is easy to tweak to your liking for sure.
on Stove
Below are instructions for this method over medium heat. I use a deep Dutch Oven but a large pot with a tight lid would work. Like our Pigs in the Blanket with Cabbage filling I will add a bit more heat. That is up to you and you could leave it out entirely.
in Instant Pot
Now if you want to make an entire meal with this same main ingredient you could. Grab 2, one to make this and another to dice and make Pressure Cooker Fried Cabbage as the main meal.
FAQ
You do want it in smaller bite size pieces so they can absorb the flavors in the pan. I like squared 1ร1 inch pieces for our bacon and cabbage recipe here. Works well for sauteeing in butter and with meat.
Keep a close eye on it. Remember that it doesnโt take long for cabbage leaves to wilt and soften. Tenderness is subjective so check often as 1 minute too long may become mushy to your tastebuds. Stick with sauteeing and do not boil as that will get leaves quite soft.
Cabbage and Bacon Recipe
Equipment
- 1 dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 head cabbage, cut into 1ร1 inch squares
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp butter, or olive oil
- 1/2 c broth, vegetable or chicken are best
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp Old Bay
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, if you want a bit of heat
Instructions
- Cut stem off of cabbage and discard, slice in half and then into 1ร1 inch cubes. Add into pot and mix together. Set aside.
- I like using a Dutch Oven but you can use a large pot with a lid over medium heat. Add butter or olive oil. Add diced bacon and onions. Cook until bacon is a bit crispy and onions are softened.
- Add cubed cabbage. Cook together for 2-3 minutes. Pour in vegetable broth and all seasonings, stir together. Saute for another 2-3 minutes.
- Cover with a lid, turn heat to low, and cook for 5 minutes or until leaves are as soft as you'd like them to be. Serve immediately for best results.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to cut a cabbage for fried cabbage
This is How to Cut Cabbage in a number of ways but in this case 1ร1 squares is best in this case. You donโt want the pieces to be too small or they will wilt too quickly and you want a bit of a โbiteโ to them so itโs not soggy.
Great recipe! I added an extra half cup of chopped onions, a half cup of shredded carrots, and 1 Tbs brown sugar at the end for a touch of sweetness. We cook reduced salt due to my wifeโs heart condition, so I omitted the salt, used garlic powder instead of garlic salt, and white wine instead of broth. Bacon and soy sauce provided plenty of salt for us. Great side dish!
oh yeah
I love fried cabbage with bacon or smoked susage. I agree fried is so much better than boiled cabbage.
Crumble bacon on top. Stir. Then itโs voila !
Love fried cabbage. I cook bacon. Remove bacon from large frying pan. Toss in a dolop of butter. Toss in onions and shredded carrots. Then add cabbage. Stir. Stir. Stir. Finish with a little bit of brown sugar and a shake of red pepper flakes.
Voila ! Serve immediately!