An easy way to make this everyday veggie stand out.
In a lot of ways, cabbage is the perfect vegetable. It’s cheap, it’s healthy, and it’s available year-round. 
Unlike, say, fresh tomatoes or asparagus, which are only really good when they’re in season, cabbage is just as good in January or in July.
So why don’t people use this all-purpose veggie more often? I think it’s because there just aren’t enough recipes for it. Sure, there’s always coleslaw, and there’s nothing wrong with that – but people never think of serving cooked cabbage as a side dish. They’ll happily throw it in their stews and soups, but they never cook it up on its own.
Well, it’s time to fix that.
This Fried Cabbage and Bacon recipe is as simple as can be. Just fry up some bacon, then cook the cabbage in the bacon grease with some garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika until it’s just starting to get tender. Then add in the crumbled bacon and a touch of red pepper flakes, sprinkle it with parsley, and voilà! A cabbage side dish that goes with any simple main course, from roast chicken to tuna patties.
Give it a try, and you’ll never see cabbage the same way again.
Fried Cabbage and Bacon
- Saute chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving fat drippings in saute pan for cooking onions and cabbage.
- Saute onion over medium heat until translucent (approximately 5 minutes). Add minced garlic and saute one minute longer.
- Add cabbage, salt, pepper, and paprika to onion/garlic mixture and saute over medium heat until the cabbage is just beginning to get tender.
- Return bacon crumbles and red pepper flakes and saute for one minute longer.
- Garnish with a light sprinkle of chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Tips on how to make Fried Cabbage and Bacon
- The cabbage is better cooked “al dente”. Watch for when it starts to wilt and get soft but before it starts turning soggy and yellow. Serve while it still maintains some fresh green color.
- One could saute onion and cabbage in olive oil for a vegetarian/vegan option.
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Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon 1/2 package, chopped
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 head green cabbage chopped
- 1 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 bunch of flat leaf parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Saute chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving fat drippings in saute pan for cooking onions and cabbage.
- Saute onion over medium heat until translucent (approximately 5 minutes).
- Add minced garlic and saute one minute longer.
- Add cabbage, salt, pepper, and paprika to onion/garlic mixture and saute over medium
- Heat until the cabbage is just beginning to get tender.
- Return bacon crumbles and red pepper flakes and saute for one minute longer.
- Garnish with a light sprinkle of chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Samantha says
We had three heads of cabbage and I was wondering what on earth I was going to do with all of it. Perfect timing with this recipe! We made it for lunch today and it was delicious!
Corey says
Yay! So happy you loved it!
Lisa P says
I am not a fan of cooked cabbage, but this is a WHOLE NEW BALLGAME! It is so delicious and has been a big hit with family and friends. Thanks so much for opening my eyes to cooked cabbage!