Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Easy Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the perfect Southern comfort food side dish. In less than 15 minutes, you can have an excellent cabbage side dish everyone loves.

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

My husband grew up in Alabama and has shared many Southern family recipes with me, like this fried Southern-style cabbage and bacon that is sometimes served with egg noodles to make it more of a meal.

I made this recipe with bacon, but you can also make it with smoked sausage to add more protein.

Enjoy this vegetable side dish alone, or make it a meal by pairing it with an epic piece of cornbread and some iced tea. It is the perfect easy side dish that doesn't take hours to prepare.

This fried southern cabbage recipe is a family favorite that tastes amazing. Pair it with mashed potatoes or a side salad, or enjoy it alone.

This Southern-fried cabbage side dish pairs perfectly with pork chops.

Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make epic Southern Fried Cabbage Recipe with Bacon! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Bacon
• Butter
• Onion
• Green Cabbage
• Salt and Black Pepper

Optional Add-Ins: Cajun Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes, Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, minced garlic, Ham Pieces, Bell Peppers, Carrots, Celery, or Onion Powder 

If you prefer a sweet fried cabbage you can sprinkle in a bit of sugar.

For a spicy cabbage add in ¼ to ½ teaspoon of your favorite Cajun seasoning.

Bacon - We prefer using thick cut bacon, it produces a nice amount of bacon grease and is thick enough to add flavor with the cabbage.

Butter - You can use salted or unsalted butter. We tend to use unsalted butter so we are in control of how much salt gets added to this great recipe.

Cabbage - Use a medium cabbage so it all fits in the skillet. You want all the pieces to be coated with the bacon butter mixture for epic flavor.

Equipment Needed

• Large skillet/Large pot - This fried cabbage recipe can be made in a large skillet or a Dutch oven.
• Wooden spoons
• Sharp knife

If you love cabbage make sure to check out our Corned Beef and Cabbage, Slow cooker cabbage rolls, cabbage roll soup, and kielbasa and cabbage.

How to core a cabbage 

Cut the cabbage into quarters. Remove each section's thick, hard center before cutting the cabbage into slices.

How to make Southern Fried Cabbage

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Cook slices of bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked to desired consistency. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan, and remove the bacon drippings/pieces from the side. 

Add butter to the skillet and combine with bacon grease over medium heat. Add the onion to the melted butter bacon grease mixture and cook until tender, approximately 3-5 minutes, depending on how hot the pan is.

Add in bacon pieces and stir together.

Add the cabbage and cook until tender, stirring to prevent pieces from burning. Then, evenly coat the cabbage with the butter-bacon grease mixture. Cook the cabbage, stirring occasionally to coat it evenly.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead:

We recommend serving this vegetable side dish right after you make it. If it sits in the pan and continues to cook, the cabbage loses its crunch.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three days.

Freezing/How to Freeze:

We do not suggest freezing this dish. Cabbage does not freeze well and turns into a soggy mess when thawed.

How to Reheat:

Reheat leftover Southern-Fried Cabbage with Bacon using your microwave or skillet, depending on how many servings you need to prepare.

 

Recipe Variations

Substitutions:

We prefer using thick-cut bacon. It produces a nice amount of bacon grease and is thick enough to flavor the cabbage.

You can use salted or unsalted butter. We use unsalted butter to control the salt added to this great recipe.

Use medium cabbage so it fits in the skillet. You want all the pieces coated with the bacon butter mixture for epic flavor.

Vegetarian Option: 

Replace the bacon with a meatless variety to make this Southern-Fried Cabbage with Bacon vegetarian.

Vegan Option: 

In addition to the guidance for vegetarians, vegans should use plant-based butter to make this recipe vegan.

Gluten-Free: 

This Southern classic should be gluten-free, as none of the ingredients typically contain gluten. Look for a gluten-free label on your bacon to avoid cross-contamination from any flavorings or preservatives that may be present.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: 

The written recipe makes eight servings. Use the slider in the recipe card to scale it up or down for a different serving size.

Make It Spicy: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of your favorite Cajun seasoning for a spicy cabbage.

Sugar-Free: 

The written recipe contains 4 grams of sugar per serving. To make it sugar-free, look for bacon with no added sugars.

Tips for the Best Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

• Make sure you don't burn the bacon. The burnt flavor will transfer to the fried cabbage.
• If you prefer a sweet fried cabbage, sprinkle in some sugar. 
• Make sure you use a large enough skillet to fit all the ingredients and stir the cabbage without it flying all over the kitchen.
• If you like your cabbage tender, cook it a little longer. If you want a bit more crunch, cook it less until you reach the desired texture.
• We suggest using a fresh head of cabbage that you cut right before making this dish. I know they sell pre-cut cabbage, but it turns mushy quickly when cooked.

What to Serve with Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

We love enjoying this bacon-powered Southern veggie side dish with other Southern favorites! Here are some menu planning suggestions.

Sides: Broccoli Casserole, Apple Stuffing, Funeral Potatoes, BLT Pasta Salad, Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream, Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams, Southern Style Green Beans

Main Dishes: Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, Stovetop Meatloaf, Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers, CrockPot Rosemary Pork, Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings

Desserts: Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake, Lemon Bars, Lemon Icebox Pie, Best Rice Krispie Treats, Lemon Dump Cake, Pig Pickin' Cake, Bisquick Apple Cobbler, Bisquick Peach Cobbler

Drinks: Coke Slushie, Red Robin Freckled Lemonade, CopyCat McDonald's Sweet Tea

When to Serve

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Potlucks
• Cookouts
• Family and Friend Gatherings

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