Fried Cabbage with Bacon (One Pot)

Quick and easy fried cabbage with bacon, made with simple ingredients in one pot on stovetop. This 30 minute Southern side dish is popular on St.Patrick's Day.

Since you guys loved my One Pot Bacon Pasta, I think you would also love this recipe with bacon as well. There are many variations of this recipe. Some people make it with potatoes. Others make it with chicken, bacon, or sausages while others make it with no meat whatsoever. Also, some people prefer their cabbage to retain its firm texture but others like to pan-fry it for longer and make it softer. You decide how to make your dish tonight.

Key ingredients

• Bacon- Use thick strips cut into small pieces.
• Green cabbage- You will need about half a head, chopped.
• Brown sugar- This is an optional ingredient but adds a little sweetness I enjoy.
• Salt- A little bit goes a long way.
• Pepper- Use as much or as little as you prefer.
• Garlic powder- Not to be confused with garlic salt which would make the dish too salty.
• Smoked paprika- This is decidedly different than regular paprika and adds just the right flavor.

Variations

• Add chicken- Instead of bacon, cook 1 cup some small boneless chicken breast pieces and use that in this recipe.
• Use sausage- Instead of bacon, cook 1 cup sliced sausages and use that in this recipe.
• Mix in some potatoes- Stir fry small cubes of potatoes with some salt and pepper and mix that into the cabbage at the end.
• Omit bacon- And use 4-5 tablespoon unsalted butter to counter the lack of bacon grease.

How to make fried cabbage?

1. Cook the bacon- And keep it aside.
2. Add cabbage and spices- To the bacon grease in the same pan and cook until tender.
3. Mix in- The cooked bacon and enjoy.

What to serve with cooked cabbage?

• Potatoes- Like these Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe (One Pot) or Microwave Baked Potatoes (One Pot).
• Meat- Although corned beef is a favorite, you can also serve this with  Grilled Chicken Breast (One Pan) or Instant Pot Shredded Beef.
• Soups- Such as Carrot Ginger Soup (One Pot), Cream of Broccoli Soup (One Pot), or Curried Butternut Squash Soup (One Pot).

Tips and techniques

• Use any type of bacon- Including regular, turkey, or even vegan. If you are using turkey bacon or vegan bacon just remember they are not very oily and additional oil must be added.
• Instead of bacon- Sausage can be used as well.
• Use a non-stick pan- To prevent sticking and burning.
• Finely chop your onions- Because no one likes big chunks of onions and they will also blend together much better with the cabbage.
• Don't discard the bacon drippings- Because it adds so much flavor. However, some people discard a bit of the drippings to prevent the dish from becoming too greasy.
• Don't over-cook the cabbage- Because it will become too soft and limp. You want the cabbage to retain some of its firmness.
• Brown sugar is optional- It just adds a subtle sweetness.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- This can be made a few days in advance if kept in the fridge in a sealed container. However, this dish is best served fresh.
• Refrigerate- Place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Freeze- Place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw and reheat before serving.
• Reheat- This can be microwaved, but I recommend sauteing it in a non-stick pan with a bit of oil or butter to liven the cabbage and bring back more flavor.

More Easy Side Dishes:

• Oven Roasted Asparagus (One Pan)
• Oven Roasted Broccoli (One Pan)
• Quick Oven Roasted Tomatoes (One Pan)
• Cauliflower Fried Rice (One Pot)
• Bacon Wrapped Smokies (One Pan)

Recipe