The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

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ThisFried Cabbagerecipe is insanely good! Made with bacon, onion, bell pepper, and a touch of hot sauce, this is one of those great recipes to make because it's simple and comes out perfect every time!

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This is one of my favorite recipes ever! You just HAVE to try this Fried Cabbage, friends! All of the flavors work so well together, and the best part is that this dish requires minimum ingredients, and minimum cleanup, and brings maximum flavor. It's a great main dish but can serve as the perfect side dish as well.

Video Tutorial

Why This is the Best Fried Cabbage Recipe

This Fried Cabbage recipe is going to become your favorite, because:

  • IT'S SIMPLE.It's made with 4 ingredients (plus seasonings).
  • IT'S EASY TO MAKE.You'll just need to roughly chop the veggies and bacon, and cook them together.
  • IT'S MADE WITH BACON.Crispy bacon adds a ton of flavor, and makes everything better!
  • IT'S ONE POT.Almost no clean-up is required.
  • IT'S ABSOLUTELY SCRUMPTIOUS.I just can't say enough about how tasty this Fried Cabbage is.

How to Select Cabbage

For this recipe, you'll need the regular green cabbage that is sold in almost every grocery store or supermarket. Select a medium-sizedhead that feels heavy for its size. The leaves should lookcrisp and fresh, without cracks or blemishes.

Here is some more info:How to Select and Store Cabbage

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How to Make Fried Cabbage

1.In a large non-stick skillet, sauté the bacon, bell pepper, and onion over medium heat for 7 minutes.

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2. Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and stir well.

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3. Add the water and chopped cabbage to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 20-25 minutes, or until the water evaporates.*

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4. Once the water evaporates, keep frying the cabbage for about 10 minutes.

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5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the hot sauce. Serve.

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* Some cabbage varieties cook faster than others. Adjust the cooking time, if necessary. If needed, add a little bit more water.

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What to Serve with Fried Cabbage

This dish is wonderful on its own, but it will pair well with grains, potatoes, meats, and breads.

  • Grains.Serve this cabbage dish with quinoa, bulgur, sorghum, or rice.
  • Potatoes.This is delicious with scalloped potatoes, baby potatoes, baked potatoes, or mashed potatoes.
  • Meats.Try this fried cabbage alongside pork chops, corned beef, roast chicken, or just some slices of bacon.
  • Breads.Enjoy this easy fried cabbage recipe with crusty bread with a bit of butter and some kosher salt, or some skillet cornbread.

Recipe Variations

  • Substitute the bacon.Use smoked sausage or chicken sausage instead of regular bacon or bacon pieces.
  • Add sauces/toppings.Try this recipe with some BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, sour cream, or a sprinkle of brown sugar for extra flavor.
  • Substitute the cabbage.You can also make this easy recipe with red cabbage, or savoy cabbage. Any head of cabbage that you like will work, just adjust the cooking time.
  • Skillet cook it. Make this simple side in a large skillet, cast iron skillet, or large frying pan to give it great flavor and texture.
  • Add some flavor enhancers.You can also make this easy side dish with cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or chili pepper flakes. Even some bacon drippings or bacon grease with some yellow onion would add fantastic flavor.

About the Bacon

You can use any type of bacon you prefer - regular, turkey, or even vegan bacon. Just remember that turkey bacon and vegan bacon are not oily enough, so you'll need to add additional oil or butter.

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Please take a moment to leave your feedback, once you try this dish. I am so thrilled to hear how you enjoyed it! Thanks for sticking with me! You can find printable recipe and nutrition information in the recipe card below.

You'll love these cabbage recipes also:

  • Cabbage Sauteed with Chicken
  • Cabbage Lasagna
  • Cabbage with Ribs
  • Skinny Cabbage Salad
  • Sauteed Cabbage Recipe
  • Easy Baked Cabbage

The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (VIDEO) (10)

The Best Fried Cabbage

Tania Sheff

This Fried Cabbage recipe is insanely good! Made with bacon, onion, bell pepper, and a touch of hot sauce, it is easy to make, simple, and comes out perfect every time!

4.58 from 124 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 148 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 pork bacon strips thick-cut
  • 1 medium cabbage head about 3 lbs., roughly chopped
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • cup water
  • ¼ tbsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp. hot sauce
  • ½ tsp. sea salt or to taste
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper or to taste

Instructions

  • In a large non-stick skillet, sauté the bacon, bell pepper, and onion over medium heat for 7 minutes.

    3 pork bacon strips, 1 medium onion, 1 medium red bell pepper

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  • Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and stir well.

    ¼ tbsp. red pepper flakes, ½ tsp. sea salt, ¼ tsp. black pepper

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  • Add the water and chopped cabbage to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 20-25 minutes, or until the water evaporates.*

    ⅓ cup water, 1 medium cabbage head

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  • Once the water evaporates, keep frying the cabbage for about 10 minutes.

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  • Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the hot sauce. Serve.

    1 tbsp. hot sauce

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Notes

* Some cabbage varieties cook faster than others. Adjust the cooking time, if necessary. If needed, add a little bit more water.

Recipe Variations

  • Substitute the bacon.Use smoked sausage or chicken sausage instead of regular bacon or bacon pieces.
  • Add sauces/toppings.Try this recipe with some BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, sour cream, or a sprinkle of brown sugar for extra flavor.
  • Substitute the cabbage.You can also make this easy recipe with red cabbage, or savoy cabbage. Any head of cabbage that you like will work, just adjust cook time.
  • Skillet cook it. Make this simple side in a large skillet, cast iron skillet, or large frying pan to give it great flavor and texture.
  • Add some flavor enhancers.You can also make this easy side dish with cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or chili pepper flakes. Even some bacon drippings or bacon grease with some yellow onion would add fantastic flavor.

About the Bacon

You can use any type of bacon you prefer - regular, turkey or even vegan. Just remember that turkey bacon and vegan bacon are not oily enough, so you'll need to add additional oil or butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 505mgPotassium: 549mgFiber: 7gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1442IUVitamin C: 126mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below, I can't wait to hear from you!

The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

What happens to the flavor of cabbage when it is cooked? ›

As it approaches the boiling point, the enzymes will be inactivated, so no more pungent, bitter compounds will form. Cook only until the cabbage is tender, but no longer. The hot water will leach a lot of the unwanted compounds from the cabbage, making it taste milder than either stir-frying or steaming.

Is fried cabbage good to eat? ›

It pairs well with just about any protein and could even be served alongside pasta, casserole (like Broccoli Quinoa Casserole), or anything else you enjoy! Cabbage Is Good for You. Cabbage is a powerhouse of vitamins (particularly vitamin C), minerals, and antioxidants.

Does cabbage release water when cooked? ›

The second most popular people dislike cooking cabbage is how bland it may taste thanks to the excess moisture it releases during cooking. So, if you're making a slaw, experts advise that you salt the cabbage before combining it with other vegetables.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

Why do you put baking soda in cabbage? ›

Baking soda does help green vegetables retain color, but it causes undesirable color changes in red cabbage—it turned blue. The science can be distilled to this: Adding baking soda to cooking water makes it slightly alkaline, which stabilizes the green color of chlorophyll.

Can dogs have cabbage? ›

Cabbage. All varieties of cabbage are not only tasty to your dog, they are also very healthy. Cabbage helps your dog's digestive system and is good for their skin. It can cause flatulence (gas) in dogs, so remember to feed cabbage in small amounts, and introduce it into their diet slowly.

Why should cabbage not be eaten raw? ›

2. Cabbages. They're notorious for harboring tapeworms and tapeworm eggs, which is invisible to the naked eye. Some of these tapeworms have survived some of the harshest insecticides and pesticides, so your vegetable washes are too mild for them.

Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

What's more, prolonged cooking can alter the flavor of cabbage, making it taste more bitter or bland rather than retaining its natural sweetness and mildness. To avoid these issues, it's best to cook green cabbage until it's tender but still retains some crispness and its vibrant color.

Is fried cabbage good for kidneys? ›

Stir-frying helps maintain the texture and flavor in vegetables. Vegetables such as asparagus, bean sprouts, bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, snow peas and spring onions are kidney-friendly, low-potassium choices. Add sweetness with mandarin oranges, pineapple or grapes.

Can cabbage lower blood pressure? ›

The antioxidants in cabbage help reduce inflammation, which is linked to heart disease. Cabbage also contains something called anthocyanins. Several studies have found these compounds can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What is the season for cabbage? ›

All cabbages have a long growing season and should be sowed as early as April or May. The average growing time is 32 to 40 weeks so the harvesting season starts in December and ends around February. Some varieties may also be available earlier on in the fall from October onwards.

Can you cook cabbage too long? ›

Boiled cabbage is notoriously smelly and steaming is often thought of as a less aromatic way to cook the vegetable. However, the pungent smell is actually the result of overcooking. Boil it just until tender, and you won't have a stinky kitchen.

What happens if you cook cabbage? ›

As the cabbage roasts in the oven, it caramelizes, turns tender, and becomes sweet. It's fantastic. Our roasted cabbage recipe keeps the cabbage simple with oil, salt, and pepper.

Why does cabbage taste bitter after cooking? ›

When plant cells are broken, the oils are separated from the sugar molecules by an enzyme and released as a very bitter compound. It's a clever defense mechanism for the cabbage plant to discourage hungry foragers.

Does cabbage get sweeter when cooked? ›

Served raw, it's crunchy and slightly rubbery, with a lightly peppery, mild taste. We find it's best to shred cabbage into thin ribbons when enjoying raw, although it can also be chopped into small chunks for salads. When cooked, its texture softens and the flavor becomes sweet and caramelized.

What does cooked green cabbage taste like? ›

What does cooked green cabbage taste like? Once cooked, the peppery zing green cabbage softens, and its earthy notes become more pronounced. Depending on the cooking method, its texture can range from tender-crisp in quick sautés to meltingly soft in slow-cooked dishes.

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