Fried Cabbage and Bacon is a simple, flavorful side dish that comes together with just a handful of ingredients. Tender sautéed cabbage cooks in savory bacon drippings and is finished with crispy bacon pieces for a rich, comforting dish that pairs well with almost any main course.
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This Fried Cabbage and Bacon recipe is one of the easiest ways to turn a simple head of cabbage into a flavorful side dish. The cabbage cooks slowly in bacon drippings until tender and lightly caramelized, then the crispy bacon is stirred back in for extra smoky flavor. It’s a quick one-pan recipe that works well for weeknight dinners, holiday meals, or anytime you need an easy vegetable side dish.
This easy cabbage recipe is naturally gluten free and contains only 3 net carbs per serving, making it a great option for anyone looking for lighter, low-carb side dishes without sacrificing flavor.
Whether you’re serving it with roasted chicken, pork chops, or grilled steak, this classic cabbage and bacon skillet recipe is quick, budget-friendly, and packed with savory goodness.
If you enjoy simple cabbage dishes, you might also like Sausage and Cabbage Foil Packets with Potatoes or Sausage and Cabbage Foil Packs with Radishes.
What Is Fried Cabbage and Bacon?
Fried cabbage and bacon is a classic skillet dish made by sautéing chopped cabbage in bacon drippings until it becomes tender and lightly caramelized. Crispy bacon pieces are then stirred back in, creating a savory, smoky dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses.
Fried cabbage and bacon is a classic skillet dish often associated with Southern fried cabbage recipes, where cabbage is cooked with bacon or ham for extra flavor. Because it uses simple ingredients and cooks quickly in one pan, fried cabbage and bacon is an easy and budget-friendly vegetable side dish for weeknight meals.
It’s also very versatile: some recipes include onions for added sweetness, making it a delicious fried cabbage and onions skillet recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
Simple Ingredients: One of the best things about sautéed cabbage with bacon is how simple it is to make. With just cabbage, bacon, onion, garlic, salt and pepper, you can create a rich and satisfying side dish that tastes like it took far more effort.
Big Flavor: Cooking the cabbage in rendered bacon fat adds incredible flavor. As the cabbage softens and begins to caramelize, it absorbs the smoky, savory notes from the bacon, making every bite delicious.
Quick to Make: This easy fried cabbage recipe cooks in a single pan and is ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need an easy vegetable side dish.
Low Carb and Gluten Free: Cabbage is low in carbohydrates and packed with nutrients, making it a great vegetable to incorporate into everyday meals. This dish contains just 3 net carbs per serving and is naturally gluten free.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bacon (diced)
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large head cabbage (chopped, about 6 cups – green, Napa or Savoy)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Chef Tip: To chop cabbage, cut it in half through the core, remove the core, and slice into bite-sized pieces.
The entire recipe and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can print the recipe from the card, if needed.
How to Make Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Prep!
Roughly chop the cabbage and set it aside. Dice the bacon and onion and mince the garlic.
Chef’s Tip: An easy way to dice bacon is to remove the entire stack from the package and slice through all the strips at once on a cutting board.
Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
Create!
Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat and add the diced bacon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the bacon becomes crisp. Using medium heat helps the bacon cook evenly without burning.
Remove with a slotted spoon to the paper towel-lined plate.
Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the skillet and return the pan to the heat.
Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until just starting to soften. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds longer.
Add the cabbage and season with salt and pepper.
Chef’s Tip: for less soggy cabbage, avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook in batches if necessary to allow cabbage to brown and caramelize.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage becomes tender and lightly browned on the edges, about 10-15 minutes.
Stir the cooked bacon back into the cabbage and onions.
Present!
Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Tips and Techniques for the Best Cabbage and Bacon Skillet
- Cut the Bacon Quickly: For fast prep, slice the entire stack of bacon strips at once instead of separating them individually. This makes dicing much easier and faster.
- Don’t Cook the Bacon Too Fast: Cooking bacon over medium heat allows the fat to render properly and prevents burning. This also creates flavorful drippings for the cabbage and onion to cook in.
- Let the Cabbage Brown Slightly: Allowing the cabbage to cook long enough to develop light caramelization adds extra flavor and texture to the dish.
- Storage: Store leftover fried cabbage and bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.
FAQs
Is cabbage low in carbohydrates?
Yes. Cabbage is a naturally low-carb vegetable and works well in many lighter recipes. One cup of raw cabbage contains roughly 2–3 net carbohydrates, depending on the variety.
Can you freeze fried cabbage?
Yes, cooked cabbage can be frozen. Place the cooled cabbage in an airtight container or freezer bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 4–5 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
How do you reheat fried cabbage?
Fried cabbage reheats well either:
- In a skillet over medium heat until warmed through
- In the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally
What main dishes pair well with cabbage and bacon?
This dish works well with many proteins, including:
- Grilled or roasted chicken
- Pork chops
- Baked ham
- Pan-seared steak
- Sausage
Can you make fried cabbage without bacon?
Yes. Simply replace the bacon grease with butter or oil, then follow the recipe as written. A pinch of smoked paprika can be added when cooking the cabbage to add some of the smokiness the bacon would have provided.
Why is my fried cabbage soggy?
Overcrowding the pan, cooking at too low a heat, or not drying the cabbage well can cause sogginess. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat, stir occasionally and allow light browning on the edges for the best texture.
More Cabbage Side Dish Recipes
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Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bacon (diced)
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large head cabbage (chopped, about 6 cups - green, Napa or Savoy)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat and add the diced bacon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the bacon becomes crisp. Using medium heat helps the bacon cook evenly without burning.12 ounces bacon
- Remove with a slotted spoon to the paper towel-lined plate.
- Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the skillet and return the pan to the heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until just starting to soften. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds longer.1 yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the cabbage and season with salt and pepper.1 large head cabbage, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage becomes tender and lightly browned on the edges, about 10-15 minutes.
- Stir the cooked bacon back into the cabbage and onions.
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Cut the Bacon Quickly: For fast prep, slice the entire stack of bacon strips at once instead of separating them individually. This makes dicing much easier and faster.
- Don’t Cook the Bacon Too Fast: Cooking bacon over medium heat allows the fat to render properly and prevents burning. This also creates flavorful drippings for the cabbage and onion to cook in.
- Let the Cabbage Brown Slightly: Allowing the cabbage to cook long enough to develop light caramelization adds extra flavor and texture to the dish.
- Storage: Store leftover fried cabbage and bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.
- Freezing: Place cooled cabbage in an airtight container or freezer bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 4–5 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on November 9, 2016. It was updated with an improved recipe, step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques and FAQs in March 2026.
