How To Make Southern Fried Cabbage {Recipe}

One of my all-time favorite comfort foods is fried cabbage with bacon. It's a classic soul food dish that is simple to make, with little prep time, but oh so satisfying!

This soul-stirring recipe will transport you straight to the heart of the deep South where a humble vegetable like cabbage can undergo a major transformation into straight-up pan-fried goodness.

There is nothing like a comforting pan of Southern fried cabbage. The cabbage is fried in smoky bacon fat infused with caramelized onions and peppers for a perfect Sunday dinner side.

The key to fried cabbage is to get it nice and crispy, and the best way to do that is to cook it in bacon fat. First, you need to render the bacon until it is nice and crisp. Then, you add the cabbage and cook it until it is tender and slightly browned.

You’ll want to make a big batch of this cause it’s hard to just eat a small side of it.

Flavor and Texture of Fried Cabbage

This is truly an example of a recipe where humble ingredients transform into flavor-packed delights. Prepare to indulge in this dish that exemplifies the art of creating something extraordinary out of simplicity.

Southern Fried Cabbage delights the palate with a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. As you take your first bite, you'll experience the tender yet satisfying crunch of perfectly cooked cabbage. The smoky richness of bacon permeates each morsel, offering a savory note that is beautifully complemented by the gentle sweetness of sautéed onions.

The combination of these ingredients creates a comforting undertone that dances on the taste buds. Seasonings like salt, pepper, and paprika add a delightful depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile. The cabbage retains a tender bite, allowing its natural sweetness to shine through.

With each forkful, you'll revel in the harmonious balance of textures, savoring the crispness of the cabbage, the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of the bacon, and the caramelized onions that add a touch of softness. Together, these elements create a truly satisfying dish that showcases the soothing essence of soul food.

How to Select and Prepare Cabbage

Selecting and preparing cabbage can be tricky for some, so use this section as a guide to make things a bit easier for you.

Selecting the Right Cabbage:

Opt for green cabbage. Look for a firm and compact head with vibrant green leaves. Avoid cabbages with wilted or discolored leaves.

Preparing the Cabbage:

Remove outer leaves focusing on any damaged or wilted outer leaves from the cabbage head. Discard them or save for compost.

Rinse the cabbage thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris.

Cut and core the cabbage head in half vertically and then cut out the tough core at the base of each half. Slice the cabbage to your preferences.

BEATS AND EATS (music to pair with fried cabbage)

Cabbage in my opinion is the forgotten soul food staple. Greens, sweet potatoes, and black-eyed peas get all the attention, but cabbage actually is that vegetable!

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary pairing that will serenade your taste buds. Picture the smooth, soulful voice of William Bell crooning his timeless hit, "I Forgot to Be Your Lover," while indulging in a plate of perfectly seasoned and mouthwatering Southern fried cabbage.

As the melodic notes fill the air, the aroma of sizzling cabbage embraces your senses, creating a harmonious fusion of sound and flavor. Bell's heartfelt lyrics blend seamlessly with the savory essence of the cabbage, transporting you to a place where soulful music and soulful food intertwine.

FRIED CABBAGE INGREDIENTS

This is quintessential soul food cooking meaning you take a very simple vegetable and season it extremely well to make culinary goodness!

To prepare a delightful Southern Fried Cabbage, you will need the following ingredients:

1. Cabbage: Use a medium-sized head of cabbage, preferably green cabbage, for a classic Southern flavor. Remove the tough outer leaves and shred or slice the cabbage into thin strips.
2. Bacon: Thick cut smoky bacon adds depth and richness to the dish. You can use regular or thick-cut bacon slices, chopped into small pieces.
3. Onion: A sweet or yellow onion, thinly sliced or diced, adds a flavorful base to the dish.
4. Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced or finely chopped, enhance the overall taste and aroma of the fried cabbage.
5. Seasonings: Common seasonings include salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. You can also add additional herbs and spices such as paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder to enhance the flavors.
6. Optional Ingredients: Feel free to customize your fried cabbage by adding ingredients like bell peppers, carrots, or even a splash of vinegar for extra tanginess.

Substitutions:

• Bacon: If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute bacon with vegetarian bacon or omit it altogether. Alternatively, you can use vegetable oil or butter for sautéing the cabbage.
• Onion: Swap sweet or yellow onions with shallots or red onions for a different flavor profile.
• Garlic: If fresh garlic is not on hand, you can use garlic powder or granulated garlic as a substitute. Adjust the quantity according to your taste preferences.
• Seasonings: Feel free to customize the seasonings based on your preferences. Add herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra aromatic notes.

SOUTHERN PAN FRIED CABBAGE COOKING INSTRUCTIONS (step by step)

Pre-mix Cajun Seasoning Mix

Mix the cayenne pepper, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Alternatively you can use your favorite pre-made store bought cajun seasoning.

Fry Bacon

Dice the bacon into small pieces. Preheat large pan or cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Add olive oil and fry the bacon pieces. Remove the bacon cubes and drain them on a paper towel lined plate.

Saute Vegetables

Add onion and saute in the grease for 3 minutes. Stir as needed. Lower heat and add garlic cloves cooking for another minute or two. Stir as much as needed. Season with a portion of the seasoning mix.

Fry Cabbage

Add the cabbage and give it a quick stir or two to mix in well and make sure all the cabbage strips get a healthy coating of the seasoned vegetables and olive oil. Cook for 2 minutes.

While the cabbage cooks, dice the peppers. Add the diced peppers to the cabbage and mix in well.

Add more seasoning, mix well, cover and cook at a simmer for 8-10 minutes. 

Remove the lid and add in the cooked bacon. Mix and allow the cabbage with bacon to cook for a minute or two stirring occasionally.

Season the cooked cabbage to taste and serve. Hot buttermilk biscuits are great with this dish. Also consider any of these popular soul food meat dishes.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH FRIED CABBAGE

Fried cabbage is a great partner to many side dishes as well as main dish ones. Add it to your Sunday supper or regular old soul food menu with other classics.

Side Dishes

1. Candied Sweet Potatoes
2. Mashed Potatoes
3. Cauliflower Curry
4. Fried Black-eyed Peas
5. Macaroni and Cheese
6. Collard Greens

Main Dishes

1. Fried Chicken
2. Smothered Pork Chops
3. Barbecue Ribs
4. Grilled ChickenBlackened Fish
5. Meatloaf

Recipe Variations on Southern Fried Cabbage

Southern Fried Cabbage is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit different flavor profiles and preferences. Here are some exciting variations to consider:

1. Spicy Fried Cabbage: Add a kick of heat by incorporating sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the dish. The spicy element adds a vibrant twist to the classic recipe.
2. Smoky Fried Cabbage: Enhance the smoky flavors by including smoked paprika or a splash of liquid smoke. These ingredients infuse the dish with a rich and robust smokiness.
3. Cabbage and Sausage: Introduce sliced smoked sausage or Andouille sausage to the fried cabbage for a heartier and more substantial dish. The combination of smoky sausage and tender cabbage creates a satisfying meal.
4. Vegan/Vegetarian Fried Cabbage: For a plant-based option, omit the bacon and use vegetable oil or plant-based butter for sautéing. Add extra flavor with ingredients like nutritional yeast or smoked salt.

CONSIDERATIONS AND TIPS FOR A PERFECT FRIED CABBAGE AND BACON RECIPE

I prefer shredded cabbage. Cut the cabbage into strips vs. big chunks. Not only do smaller strips cook faster, they also more easily absorb all the flavor.

When frying the bacon be mindful of rendering too much grease. Flavorful bacon drippings are a good thing but there is always a chance for too much of a good thing. Too much needs soggy and greasy bacon. Skim off excess bacon grease and save for later use.

Don't overcook the bacon. That burnt taste is strong and will kill this dish. You want crispy bacon but with some chew. Keep in mind the bacon will still cook some off heat so factor that into the cooking time.

Allow the chopped onion to cook a bit. You want them to caramelize some to optimize flavor.

When pan frying cabbage use a larger than needed pan or cast iron skillet. I shoot for more surface area than I need as it allows more of the cabbage to fry at one time vs. layered up on top of each other. The cabbage cooks faster, evenly, and more efficiently.

Don't get cute with the cabbage. While I love purple cabbage as well as Napa cabbage, plain Jane old green cabbage is the way to go in this recipe.

Bacon is pork - not turkey, beef, or anything else.

Use a mix of bell pepper types. Trim-Colors add to appearance.

Choose a quality bacon, preferably a smoky one. This adds to the flavor quite a bit. I also prefer thicker cuts. Not only does this add to the texture of the dish, but also its heartiness can elevate this to a main dish.

Serve immediately using a slotted spoon after cooking. This dish is best served hot, straight out of the pan

Season as you go at each step.

Bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor to the cabbage, and the vinegar gives it a nice tang. Serve this dish with cornbread and collard greens for a complete soul food feast

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Making The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe

How Do You cut cabbage for frying?

The smaller the better. I prefer to cut my cabbage head into smaller strips. This allows for faster and even cooking, plus it makes for easier eating.

What Can I Use Instead of Bacon?

Bacon adds that deep, complex smoky flavor. To replicate this you'll need a good smoked protein like turkey leg, wings, or tails. I prefer turkey legs in this case as it's got a bit more meat on the bone that could be cut into bite size pieces and fried. Turkey bacon is also an option.

Do you include the cabbage core in cooking?

I tend to cut the core out and saute for flavor with the bacon then discard just before adding the cabbage.

Is Fried Cabbage and Bacon Keto?

This dish is very much keto friendly. It's just cabbage, bacon, and fat. Cabbage is definitely low carb.

How Do I Store Fried Cabbage?

Add cabbage and bacon to an airtight container and store in your refrigerator for up to three days.

MORE CABBAGE RECIPES

Instant Pot Cabbage

Whole Smoked Cabbage

Napa Cabbage Salad

Fried Cabbage Masala

Lima Bean Salad w/ Cabbage

Jamaican Corned Beef and Cabbage

Smoky Braised Cabbage

Vegan Pozole

Jamaican Steamed Cabbage

Cabbage Stew w/ Smoked Brisket

Make Southern fried cabbage recipe

It feel so good to share the secrets of this humble yet extraordinary dish. Fried cabbage represents everything there is Southern cooking down to that skillet sizzle and that crazy bacon aroma.

Tender tasty cabbage, infused with soulful flavors, brings a lot of comfort to the soul. You can enjoy as a side dish or as the star of the show which is my preferred way. I pile stacks and stacks of it on my plate and go to town.

If you’re looking for a easy side dish that will be an instant favorite at your next get-together, look no further than this Southern fried cabbage with bacon. This recipe is simple to follow and can be made in just minutes. So what are you waiting for? Give this tasty dish a try today!

If you make this Soulful Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.  

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