Southern Fried Cabbage

Southern Fried Cabbage cooked with bacon and onions. This quick and easy recipe comes together in under an hour and in just one pan. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping or New Year's Dinner.

I have always LOVED fried cabbage. When I was younger, I looked forward to my grandma's fried cabbage every year on New Year's Day. She liked to add smoked sausage to her fried cabbage. I like to use bacon and cook the sausage on the side. When fried, cabbage takes on so much more flavor than when it is boiled. The caramelization that takes places adds a sweet flavor, when paired with smokey bacon and onions, mmm it is so good! If you have never tried cabbage cooked this way, you are in for a treat. I am willing to bet that you will never want cabbage cooked any other way again.

To develop the best flavor, I like to render off some of the bacon's fat before I sauté the onions. The bacon isn't cooked to crispy here, just sautéed long enough for the onions to get tender. Cooking cabbage in bacon fat is so good. It really does give the whole dish so much great flavor.

I have found that the best way to cook the cabbage is to start by sautéing it then covering it with a lid to let it steam. This helps prevent the cabbage, bacon and onions from burning while the cabbage fully cooks. It is important to turn the heat to low and stir often when the cabbage is covered. This helps prevent the cabbage from burning.

Looking For More Side Dish Recipes?

Southern Black Eyed Peas

Buttermilk Cornbread

Twice Baked Potatoes

Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

How To Make Southern Fried Cabbage

1. Cut cabbage into equal pieces, approximately 1-inch pieces.

2. Slice the bacon into equal pieces, approximately 1/4-inch pieces.

3. Small dice the onion.

4. Place a large pot (that has a lid) over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook (uncovered) for about 6 minutes or until about half of the fat has rendered off of the bacon.

5. Add the onion to the pan and sauté until the onions are tender.

6. Add the cabbage, a little at a time, stir to coat in the fat. Continue until all of the cabbage has been added.

7. Season with the salt, pepper and cayenne pepper powder. Stir, scrapping the bottom of the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, turn the heat to low, cover and cook for 30-45 minutes.

8. Continue stirring often to prevent burning. The cabbage is done when the thicker white parts are tender.

9. Adjust seasonings if needed and enjoy!

Storing Southern Fried Cabbage

Cooked cabbage can be stored in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Reheated cabbage tastes just as good as freshly cooked cabbage. I recommend reheating low and slow on the stove or covered with a damp paper towel in the microwave.