Here’s a simple, flavorful Southern Fried Cabbage recipe—soft, savory, and a perfect side dish 🥬
Southern Fried Cabbage
Serves: 4 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20–25 min
Ingredients
- 1 medium green cabbage, cored and chopped
- 4 slices bacon, chopped (or 2 tbsp bacon grease/vegetable oil)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup chicken broth or water (optional, for steaming)
- Optional: splash of apple cider vinegar for tang
Instructions
- Cook the bacon:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp.
- Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the grease in the pan.
- Sauté aromatics:
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the cabbage:
- Add chopped cabbage to the pan. Toss to coat in the bacon grease.
- Cook 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage starts to wilt.
- Steam (optional):
- Add chicken broth or water, cover, and cook another 5–7 minutes until cabbage is tender but not mushy.
- Finish:
- Stir in cooked bacon.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and optional splash of vinegar.
- Serve hot as a side dish with fried chicken, pork chops, or cornbread.
Tips
- Greens with a kick: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or hot sauce.
- Smoky flavor: Use smoked bacon or add ham hocks.
- Extra flavor: Sauté cabbage in a mix of butter and bacon grease for richness.
- Cook to preference: Shorter cooking = crunchier cabbage, longer cooking = soft and tender.
If you want, I can also give you a one-pot Southern fried cabbage with potatoes and sausage version—it’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own.
Do you want me to do that?
