Bacon, cabbage, onions, butter, and Cajun seasoning come together in this Fried Cabbage Recipe — easy, quick, and surprisingly irresistible comfort food.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Okay, confession time…
For the longest time, cabbage and I? Not friends. Nope. In fact, when I was younger, I pretty much filed it under “vegetables adults pretend to like.” I mean, who chooses cabbage when there are, like, french fries in the world?
But — and this is a big but — something happened the first time I tried Fried Cabbage.
It was one of those “what the heck do I make with what’s left in the fridge?” nights. There was a sad-looking head of cabbage. A few slices of bacon (always reliable). Some onions. Not exactly inspiring. Still, I figured why not? Tossed it all in a pan, added butter (because butter), a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning, and… WOW.
Instant magic.
The cabbage wasn’t boring anymore. It was tender, buttery, and packed with flavor. The bacon and onions gave it that smoky-sweet goodness. And the little kick of Cajun seasoning? Totally sealed the deal. That night I went from meh, cabbage to when can I make this again?.
Since then, this Fried Cabbage Recipe has become one of those reliable comfort meals in my rotation. You know — the ones you make without thinking too hard but still somehow feel extra proud of when you serve it up.
Why You’ll Love This Fried Cabbage Recipe?
Listen. If you’re skeptical about cabbage — trust me, I was too. But here’s why this will win you over:
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Minimal effort, maximum reward. Seriously… chop, fry, season, done.
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Crazy good flavor. Bacon + butter + onions = no explanation needed.
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Customizable heat. Mild? Spicy? You’re the boss.
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Comfort food magic. It just feels good to eat.
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Pairs with everything. From roast dinners to eggs, it fits right in.
Once you taste this, you’ll totally get why I make this Fried Cabbage Recipe way more than I ever expected.
Ingredient Notes:
- Smoked Bacon (6 slices):
This is where it all starts. Crispy bacon = flavor powerhouse. And yes, sneak a piece while cooking. It’s allowed. - Butter (2 tbsp):
Why butter? Because butter makes life better. It melts into the cabbage and creates this silky coating that’s pure heaven. - Yellow Onion (1 medium):
Adds sweetness and depth. Trust me, don’t skip it unless you have to. - Green Cabbage (1 head):
Slice it thin, but don’t stress about perfection. Rustic is totally fine here. - Salt and Black Pepper:
Start with a little, taste later. Cabbage loves seasoning — don’t be shy. - Cajun Seasoning (optional-ish):
Brings subtle heat and personality. I highly recommend adding it. - Red Pepper Flakes (optional):
Feeling bold? Add ‘em. Not feeling it? Skip. This recipe plays nice either way.
How To Make Fried Cabbage?
Step 1: Cook the bacon.
Grab a big skillet. Fry the bacon until crispy and delicious-smelling (you know the smell). Remove it, chop it, but leave that lovely bacon grease in the pan. It’s liquid gold — do not discard.
Step 2: Sauté the onions.
Melt butter into the bacon grease. Add your chopped onions and cook until soft and slightly golden. You’ll be tempted to taste test here. Go ahead. No judgment.
Step 3: Add the cabbage.
Now comes the star. Toss the sliced cabbage into the pan. Stir so every piece gets kissed by that buttery, bacon-y goodness. Cook until tender but not mushy — about 5-7 minutes. Stir often so nothing sticks.
Step 4: Spice it up.
Add salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir, taste, and adjust. Like more heat? Add another pinch.
Step 5: Add the bacon back in.
Fold the chopped bacon back in. Give it all one last stir. And… that’s it. Seriously.
Storage Options:
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Fridge: Keeps for about 4 days.
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Freezer: Possible, but honestly? Better fresh.
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Reheat: Stovetop with a little butter, or microwave if you’re in a rush.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Pro tip? Leftover fried cabbage + scrambled eggs = breakfast dreams.
Variations and Substitutions:
This Fried Cabbage Recipe is chill — it loves to be personalized.
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No bacon? Use olive oil and smoked paprika. Still tasty.
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Different greens: Red cabbage works too (plus… pretty).
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Add extras: Think bell peppers, mushrooms, even leftover sausage.
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More cheese, please: Parmesan or cheddar at the end? Yep.
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Make it spicier: Extra red pepper flakes or hot sauce. Go wild.
Make it how you like it. No rules here.
What to Serve with Fried Cabbage?
The better question? What not to serve it with. This dish fits anywhere.
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Roast meats: Chicken, pork, beef… all work.
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Eggs: Seriously, try it.
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Potatoes: Mashed, roasted, fries — no wrong answers.
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Rice or quinoa: Makes it a filling meal.
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Or just by itself: Grab a fork and go. No shame.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What about without bacon?
You can skip it — olive oil works. But bacon really brings the magic.
Which cabbage works best?
Green is classic, but feel free to experiment.
Can I make it spicier?
Oh yeah. Crank up those red pepper flakes or add your fave hot sauce.
So… ready to give cabbage a whole new rep?
This Fried Cabbage Recipe is easy, cozy, and full of flavor that surprises you with how much you’ll love it. Seriously, it’s the side dish you never knew you needed but won’t want to live without.
What’s your fried cabbage style — super spicy, extra buttery, or loaded with bacon? Tell me below, I seriously wanna know!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Best Fried Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 slices smoked bacon
- 2 tbsp butter salted or unsalted
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 head green cabbage cored and thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning optional
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- In a skillet or Dutch oven cook the bacon on medium heat until it turns brown. Once done remove the bacon from the skillet. Coarsely chop it. Remember to keep the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add butter to the skillet containing the bacon grease. Sauté the chopped onion, over medium-low heat until it becomes tender, which usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Return the chopped bacon to the skillet with the onions. Mix in the sliced cabbage. Cook everything together until the cabbage reaches a tender consistency. Remember to stir during this process, which typically takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Taste and season your cabbage dish, with salt, black pepper, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
