Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon

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Introduction

There are a few things that can be considered a truly classic dish. Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon is one of those dishes. Fried Cabbage is quite a popular dish, especially in the South.

When you pair up Fried Cabbage with Bacon you have a savory dish that is tasty, easy to make, and makes people happy.

If you’re hunting for the best fried cabbage with onions and bacon recipe, this skillet version shows why the combo works every time: tender cabbage with a slight bite, sweet onions that caramelize in bacon drippings, and salty-crisp bacon folded in at the end. It’s an easy fried cabbage with onions and bacon for beginners because it uses one pan, familiar pantry spices, and clear, repeatable steps. Whether you’re cooking a weeknight side or a cozy add-on for Sunday dinner, it’s a family friendly fried cabbage with onions and bacon that fits right in with roasts, chops, or grilled sausage.

This dish is filled with fiber, flavor, and fun! Many people turn their noses up when it comes to Cabbage. Most often that is due to the aroma, many have a hard time enjoying boiled cabbage.

Coleslaw is a favorite summertime dish made from Cabbage, but even that does not have the same savory flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Weeknight fast: a quick fried cabbage with onions and bacon recipe in one skillet.
• Comfort food made simple: a simple fried cabbage with onions and bacon meal with big flavor from basic ingredients.
• Beginner-approved: truly an easy fried cabbage with onions and bacon for beginners-no special gear.
• Flexible & affordable: riff with spices or vinegar for homemade fried cabbage with onions and bacon ideas.
• Lighter paths available: easy to adapt into a healthy fried cabbage with onions and bacon version.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Cabbage: Green cabbage softens without turning mushy. Chop into bite-size pieces for even wilting. Savoy runs silkier; red works too (expect a color shift).

Onions: Yellow onions bring balanced sweetness; white onions are sharper; sweet onions make a mellow skillet. Slice or chop evenly so they soften at the same pace.

Bacon & drippings: The smoky backbone. For a healthy fried cabbage with onions and bacon version, try turkey bacon and add a spoon of olive oil or butter for richness.

Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper are the base. Optional boosters include red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar at the end-small tweaks that still keep things aligned with homemade fried cabbage with onions and bacon ideas.

Ingredients

• Cabbage chopped
• Onion chopped
• Minced garlic
• Strips of bacon cooked and crumbled
• Reserved bacon grease
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 How to Make It (Step Insights)

• Start with bacon: Crisp it first for crunchy topping and flavorful drippings-the foundation of this simple fried cabbage with onions and bacon meal.
• Onions before garlic: Let onions soften and sweeten; stir in garlic briefly so it blooms without burning.
• Give cabbage room: If the pan is crowded, cabbage steams. Work in batches so it sautés-this keeps it crisp-tender and speeds a quick fried cabbage with onions and bacon recipe.
• Cover, then uncover: A few minutes covered starts the wilt; uncover to evaporate moisture and concentrate flavor.
• Season in layers: Add a little salt early to draw moisture, then finish with garlic/onion powder when the cabbage softens.
• Fold bacon in at the end: This keeps some pieces crisp for a truly family friendly fried cabbage with onions and bacon.
• Optional finish: A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar brightens the skillet without turning it sour.

Process Photos

Step 1. Cook the bacon and set it aside to cool. Reserve the bacon grease.

Step 2. Place the bacon grease in a deep side pot or skillet, and cook the onion until it is softened.

Step 3. Add the garlic to the pot and saute for another 30 seconds.

Step 4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cabbage to the pot. Stir and then cover. Simmer until the cabbage has softened.

Step 5. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Saute another 2-3 minutes.

Step 6. Add the crumbled bacon to the top of the cabbage and serve.

Tips for Success

• Use a wide skillet so cabbage sautés (not steams) and browns quickly.
• Let onions fully soften before adding garlic to avoid scorching.
• Cover to wilt; uncover to evaporate moisture and deepen flavor.
• Taste after adding bacon-bacon is salty; you may need less salt than you think.
• Garnish with a few extra bacon crumbles for smoky crunch at the table.

🥡 Storage & Reheating

When the fried cabbage is cooled to room temperature, the food can be placed into an airtight container. The container can then be placed into the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet for best texture, or microwave for convenience. Add a splash of water or broth if the pan looks dry so this family friendly fried cabbage with onions and bacon tastes freshly made on day two.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

Pair with pork chops, roast chicken, meatloaf, kielbasa, or baked salmon. Cornbread and a green salad make an easy plate. Prefer lighter sides? Keep it lean for a healthy fried cabbage with onions and bacon version that still tastes rich and cozy.

FAQs

What makes this the best recipe?

The Cabbage is sauteed to give it a savory flavor and mixed with sauteed onions and crispy bacon. The texture combination is perfect together-truly the best fried cabbage with onions and bacon recipe. For another cozy idea, try Cabbage Roll Casserole.

Is Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon healthy?

Except for being sauteed in bacon fat or butter, the Cabbage with onions and bacon is a healthy dish. There are only 250 calories per serving. It is filled with fiber. Bacon is considered a great food when on the Keto diet. Make a lighter take by using turkey bacon and olive oil for a healthy fried cabbage with onions and bacon version.

What should I use as a seasoning?

The best seasonings that I find for this dish would be Garlic Powder, Salt, and pepper. You could add additional Onion Powder that will enhance the flavors.

Should I use the bacon fat to sauté the cabbage?

Yes, using the bacon fat to saute the onions and the cabbage will add even more of the great bacon flavor to the dish.

How should I store it?

When the fried cabbage is cooled to room temperature, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave to your desired consistency.

How do I reheat it?

This dish is easy to reheat. You can either reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop. Heat to desired consistency.

📝 Notes

This skillet is rooted in Southern kitchens-simple ingredients, big comfort. It’s the kind of family friendly fried cabbage with onions and bacon that shows up at potlucks and weeknights alike: smoky, cozy, and endlessly adaptable.

🔗 Related Recipes

Polish Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup – This is always a hit in my house! it’s family tested and approved!

Cabbage Casserole – Looking for a new recipe to try? Well, look no further! This Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe is perfect for a winter meal.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – It’s the perfect dish to please everyone at the dinner table while still having enough time leftovers.

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