Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

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Fried cabbage is a standard side dish in Southern cooking, or a great meal when served on its own. Learn how to make fried cabbage here.

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Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe

There’s something amazing about the combination of cabbage in bacon grease. The cabbage wilts down and becomes very tender, and crisp bacon bits give a little bite of texture. This Southern Fried Cabbage recipe has the perfect amount of salt, pepper and a hint of sugar to perfectly complement the dish.

I’m not sure where this recipe originated, but I found it in Granny’s notebook where it had been cut out of a newspaper and paper-clipped to a page. I have several go-to cabbage recipes including Cheesy Cabbage Casserole, Creamed Cabbage and Sweet and Sour Coleslaw, but this is the first time I had found this classic fried bacon and cabbage as a true recipe.

One of the best parts of this recipe is that the leftovers taste even better. Make some extra for your lunch the next day!

Fried Cabbage without Oil

You don’t need to put oil in your pan for this fried cabbage recipe since you are using bacon.

As bacon slowly cooks in the skillet, the bacon fat renders out into the pan, and then the bacon pieces get crispy. The bacon grease is the oil in this recipe; no other oil needs to be added.

Use that delicious, flavor-packed bacon grease as the base of this fried cabbage without oil recipe.

You might actually have too much bacon grease in the pan. If so, do as Grandma did, and save it in a dish in the refrigerator for later. You can use it to flavor up so many recipes.

The bacon gives so much more flavor than you would have using vegetable oil or olive oil. Bacon grease is what makes this taste like you remember it tasting from Mom or Grandma.

Skillet Fried Cabbage with Bacon Ingredients

What do I need to make fried cabbage?

Green cabbage, chopped

Bacon, diced

Onion, chopped or sliced

Granulated Sugar

Salt

Black Pepper

Water

How do you make fried cabbage and bacon?

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Fry bacon chunks in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  2. Chop cabbage and onions, and add with salt, pepper and sugar to the bacon drippings; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Lower heat to medium low, and add water and bacon.
  4. Cover the pan-fried cabbage with a lid; cook, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.
  5. For a tangy twist,stirin a dash of vinegar orapple cider vinegarat the end.

Storage Instructions

Let leftover cabbage cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to a week. Rewarm in the microwave.

For the full recipe steps and ingredient amounts for how do I make fried cabbage with bacon grease, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

  • Use 4-6 slices of bacon for this recipe; it’s up to you!
  • If there’s an excessive amount of bacon grease, you can remove half before adding the cabbage. Save it for another recipe.
  • Use red or green cabbage, or try Savoy cabbage for an entirely different cabbage recipe.
  • If there’s water left over in the bottom of the pan after 20 minutes, raise the heat again and cook off the liquid with the lid off.
  • I like mine spicy, but if you don’t start with less black pepper! If you like it really spicy, sprinkle the cabbage with cayenne pepper while cooking.
  • Love a little heat? Try adding hot sauce to taste!
  • Corned beef, sausage, turkey bacon or bits of ham would be great substitutions for the bacon.
  • This German Red Cabbage Recipe is amazing too.

Recipe Variations

  • Use turkey bacon or vegan bacon if desired.
  • Add minced garlic or garlic powder for more flavor.
  • For a bit of heat, add a few red pepper flakes.

Southern Vegetable Recipes

Mom’s Cucumbers and Onions

Marinated Vegetable Salad

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Kentucky Summer Squash Casserole

Grandma’s Special Deviled Eggs

Old Fashioned Pea Salad

Fresh Broccoli Casserole

Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (16)

Print Recipe

Fried Cabbage with Bacon – Skillet Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Bacon and Cabbage are the perfect combination, and Fried Cabbage with Bacon might be my favorite side dish. This fail-proof recipe tastes just like Mom's. Pair it with steak, chicken or pork, or maybe you'll just eat it all by itself. It's that good!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fried cabbage, fried cabbage and bacon, fried cabbage with bacon, fried cabbage with bacon grease, skillet fried cabbage with bacon, southern bacon fried cabbage

Servings: 8

Calories: 83kcal

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 1 head green cabbage, roughly chopped
  • 4-6 slices bacon, cut into chunks
  • 1 onion, sliced thin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp; remove bacon to paper towels to drain. (If there's an excessive amount of bacon grease, you can pour off half if desired).

    Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (17)

  • To the bacon grease, add cabbage, onion, sugar, salt and pepper; saute over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.

    Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (18)

  • Add water and bacon; cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low.

    Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (19)

  • Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally or until cabbage is very tender.

    Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (20)

  • If there's water left in the bottom of the pan after 20 minutes, remove lid and increase heat until remaining liquid is cooked off.

Notes

  • Use 4-6 slices of bacon for this recipe; it’s up to you!
  • If there’s an excessive amount of bacon grease, you can remove half before adding the cabbage. Save it for another recipe.
  • Use red or green cabbage, or try Savoy cabbage for an entirely different cabbage recipe.
  • If there’s water left over in the bottom of the pan after 20 minutes, raise the heat again and cook off the liquid with the lid off.
  • I like mine spicy, but if you don’t start with less black pepper!
  • Love a little heat? Try adding hot sauce to taste!
  • This German Red Cabbage Recipe is amazing too.
  • Have extra cabbage? Try Creamy Cabbage or Cheesy Cabbage Casserole too!
  • Please note that the carb counts, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on the products you use.The auto-calculation is an automated estimate and should not be used for specific dietary needs.

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 385mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 111IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cabbage crisp when cooking? ›

**Steaming**: Steaming cabbage preserves most of its nutrients and helps maintain its texture. Steam the cabbage until it is tender but still slightly crisp, usually for about 5-7 minutes. 2. **Sautéing**: Sautéing cabbage in a little oil over medium heat cooks it quickly while retaining its nutrients and flavor.

Is fried cabbage healthy to eat? ›

Rich in Nutrients: Cabbage is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins (particularly vitamin K, vitamin C, and various B vitamins), minerals (including potassium and calcium), and dietary fiber. Boiling or frying it can help retain many of these nutrients.

What is bacon and cabbage made of? ›

Bacon and cabbage (Irish: bagún agus cabáiste) is a dish traditionally associated with Ireland. The dish consists of sliced back bacon boiled with cabbage and potatoes. Smoked bacon is sometimes used. The dish is served with the bacon sliced, and with some of the boiling juices added.

Does cabbage reduce when cooked? ›

Boiling cabbage can result in a loss of up to 50% of its vitamin C content, while steaming or microwaving can cause less loss. Changes in Antioxidant Activity: Cabbage contains antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids, which can help protect against disease.

Do you rinse cabbage before frying? ›

It's totally up to you, and probably depends on where you get your cabbage. Canbage isn't known for harboring parasites, but it can be dirty on the outside. Rinse it off and slice it in half. If it looks dirty on the inside, you can quarter it, then soak the quarters in a bowl of water.

Why do you put vinegar in cabbage? ›

Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it's best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. Savoy can be used in any recipe that calls for green cabbage.

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.

Is fried cabbage bad for diabetics? ›

Cabbage is low in calories and high in fibre content, so it becomes an ideal vegetable to choose for diabetics. It is also low on glycemic index with a rank of 10 (anything below 55 is considered low). GI is an indicator of how fast the carbohydrates will raise the blood glucose levels in your blood.

What does fried cabbage do for you? ›

Here are some benefits of consuming fried or boiled cabbage leaves as an Indian salad: Rich in Nutrients: Cabbage is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins (particularly vitamin K, vitamin C, and various B vitamins), minerals (including potassium and calcium), and dietary fiber.

Can dogs have cabbage? ›

Both red and green cabbage is fine for dogs to eat, though red cabbage contains more vitamins and minerals than the green variety. However, all types of cabbage are safe for dogs to eat and can be a good nutrient-dense addition to their well-balanced dog food diet.

How do you cut cabbage for bacon and cabbage? ›

Slice cabbage across the grain into thin shreds. If necessary, wash it quickly in cold water. About 20 minutes before the end of cooking the bacon, add shredded cabbage to the pot of simmering bacon.

Who invented fried cabbage? ›

Fried cabbage is a simple side dish consisting of cabbage that is fried in fat and served. This is a very easy-to-make recipe that comes together in a matter of minutes. While this classic dish is a southern staple, its roots can be traced to Ireland, especially when bacon is being cooked and served with it.

What does baking soda do to cabbage? ›

You don't add baking soda. Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

Why is my fried cabbage bitter? ›

Cabbage and onions contain sulfur-based compounds and enzymes that are kept apart — and nonreactive — in separate cells when the plants are whole. But when you cut the vegetables, the compounds and enzymes mix, creating pungent, bitter and foul-smelling compounds that repel insects (and people!).

Can you eat too much cabbage? ›

While cabbage offers lots of vitamins and minerals your body needs, there can be a downside to eating cabbage. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. It's best to slowly introduce these vegetables into your diet and gradually increase your intake.

How do you cook cabbage without making it soggy? ›

Giving sliced wedges of cabbage a quick roasting session in the oven will help them to caramelize and get nice and crispy. Instead of getting soggy and overcooked, the cabbage will have a nice crisp texture and a more complex flavor than raw cabbage. You can also infuse cabbage with tons of flavor by braising it.

How do you keep shredded cabbage crispy? ›

How to store cabbage after it is cut
  1. Either wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, in a large plastic bag, or in an air-tight container in your crisper. This will help to lock in your cabbage's natural moisture and reduce oxidation.
  2. Cut cabbage should be used in 2-3 days.
Apr 7, 2022

How do you keep cooked vegetables crisp? ›

Your vegetables are about to get even crispier with this simple tip. The next time you roast vegetables, add some cornstarch. Yes, cornstarch—that box in your pantry is the secret to a super-crispy exterior on veggies, from potatoes to cauliflower.

How do you keep vegetables crisp when cooking? ›

What are some tips for cooking veggies so they aren't rubbery? I like to boil them for a few minutes, until they are ALMOST done, then take them out of the hot water, dump them into a big bowl of ice water, then return them to the boiling water for maybe one minute. Makes them crisp and not rubbery or floppy!

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