If you’re craving a comforting, flavorful side dish that comes together in no time, this Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe is your new best friend. Crispy bacon, tender cabbage, and a touch of smoky paprika make this recipe irresistibly delicious and super simple to whip up any day of the week.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Super Quick to Prepare: From start to finish, this recipe takes just about 25 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Incredible Flavor Combination: The crispy bacon mixed with smoky paprika and tangy mustard creates layers of hearty, savory goodness.
Versatile Side Dish: It pairs beautifully with meats, poultry, or even as a main with some extra protein added.
Comforting and Healthy: Cabbage is full of fiber and vitamins, and cooking it this way keeps that wonderful flavor while softening it just right.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe calls for simple, kitchen-staple ingredients that balance the crunch and sweetness of cabbage with a smoky, savory bite. Each ingredient plays a key role in building the rich, comforting flavors you’ll want again and again.
- Bacon: Provides a smoky, salty base and crispy texture; feel free to use turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor when sautéed.
- Garlic: Brings warmth and aroma that complements the cabbage beautifully.
- Stone ground or Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang and sharpness that wakes up the dish without overpowering it.
- Smoked paprika: Offers a smoky warmth that enhances the bacon essence and gives the cabbage a subtle kick.
- Cabbage: The star ingredient, perfectly tenderized and caramelized in this dish.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings to bring all the flavors together.
How to Make Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe
Step 1: Crisp the Bacon
Begin by heating a large pan over medium heat and adding the bacon pieces. Cook them until they’re perfectly crispy—that texture and flavor are key to this dish. Once done, transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate, leaving a bit of bacon grease in the pan to cook the veggies.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Using the leftover bacon grease, toss in the diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and sweet. Then add the minced garlic and let it cook just until fragrant—this fragrant base will soak into the cabbage later for extra depth.
Step 3: Add Mustard and Spices
Mix in the stone ground mustard (or Dijon), smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir these together to fuse the flavors before letting the cabbage take center stage.
Step 4: Cook the Cabbage
Now pile the chopped cabbage into the pan and start stirring and sautéing it with a large spoon or tongs. Let it cook down slowly for about 12 to 15 minutes until it becomes tender, buttery soft, and shows hints of golden caramelization—that’s where the magic happens!
Step 5: Finish with Bacon and Serve
Finally, toss the crispy bacon back into the pan and combine everything thoroughly. The crunch from the bacon paired with the softness of the cabbage creates a wonderful contrast in every bite. Serve it up immediately for best flavor!
How to Serve Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives make a bright and vibrant finishing touch, adding a pop of color and freshness. A squeeze of lemon juice can also brighten the smoky flavors and balance the richness if you want a zesty lift.
Side Dishes
This Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, roasted pork, or even alongside a juicy steak. It also works well with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles to round out a satisfying meal that’s hearty and delicious.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your fried cabbage in a rustic cast iron skillet right at the dinner table to keep things cozy and inviting. You can also pile it high on warm cornbread for a fun Southern-inspired presentation, or use it as a bed for sausages or meatloaf to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover fried cabbage in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop more over time, so leftovers taste wonderfully rich and comforting the next day.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well! Just cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop.
Reheating
Reheat leftover fried cabbage over medium heat in a skillet to bring back the crispy texture of bacon and warmth of the cabbage. Adding a splash of water or broth while reheating helps maintain moisture without making it soggy.
FAQs
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Can I make this Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe without bacon?
Absolutely! You can skip the bacon or substitute it with smoked tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Adding a bit of smoked paprika helps maintain that smoky, savory flavor.
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What type of cabbage works best for frying?
Green cabbage is traditional and works beautifully in this recipe because it softens well and caramelizes nicely. You can also experiment with savoy or red cabbage for a different texture and color.
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Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes! You can cook the cabbage ahead and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, just reheat gently on the stove. This makes it a great make-ahead side dish for busy nights or gatherings.
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How do I keep the cabbage from getting mushy?
To avoid mushiness, cook the cabbage over medium heat to allow gradual caramelization and moisture evaporation. Stir occasionally but not too frequently, so the cabbage can brown rather than steam.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe is all about warmth, comfort, and bold yet simple flavors that remind you of home. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a regular in your kitchen—it’s truly one of those dishes that feels like a cozy hug on a plate!
Print
Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Fried Cabbage recipe is a deliciously savory side dish featuring crispy bacon, tender sautéed cabbage, and the subtle heat of smoked paprika and mustard. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s the perfect comfort food to accompany any meal, delivering rich flavors and a satisfying texture in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons stone ground mustard (or Dijon mustard)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 head cabbage, sliced and chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the sliced bacon pieces. Cook until the bacon is crispy, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Prepare the pan: Remove some of the bacon grease from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons to keep the flavors, but not too much to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté onions: Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic, stone ground mustard, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Cook the cabbage: Place the sliced and chopped cabbage into the pan. Use a large spoon or tongs to stir and sauté the cabbage with the onion and spices for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cabbage is buttery soft and slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Combine bacon and serve: Return the cooked crispy bacon to the pan, tossing everything together evenly. Cook for another minute to blend the flavors, then remove from heat and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute stone ground mustard with Dijon mustard for a slightly different flavor.
- Adjust the smoked paprika quantity according to your spice preference.
- Make sure to cut the bacon pieces uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of red chili flakes when sautéing garlic and onions.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or as a hearty side for vegetarian meals without bacon.
- Use a large pan to prevent overcrowding, ensuring the cabbage cooks evenly and caramelizes nicely.
