Name: Fried Cabbage with Pepper Bacon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 head green cabbage (thinly sliced); 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 4 cloves garlic (minced); ½ pound pepper bacon (chopped); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; ½ cup cold water; Salt and black pepper (to taste)

Cabbage, red pepper, garlic, soy sauce, and smoky pepper bacon fried together for a quick, flavorful comfort dish.

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!

If I’m being honest, cabbage didn’t always win me over. Growing up, it was usually boiled to death—smelling up the kitchen in ways I’d rather forget. But fried cabbage? That’s a whole other story. The first time I made Fried Cabbage with Pepper Bacon, it wasn’t some planned-out dinner. Nope, it was one of those nights where the fridge looked empty, and I was five seconds away from ordering takeout. All I had was a head of cabbage, a lone bell pepper, garlic, and some pepper bacon leftover from Sunday breakfast.

I figured, “well, I’ll throw it together and hope for the best.” Isn’t that how most family recipes start? Ten minutes later, the kitchen smelled smoky and garlicky, with that sweet note from the cabbage cooking down. My husband came wandering in like he was following a cartoon smell cloud, fork in hand. He said, “what’s this?” and before I knew it, half the skillet was gone. That’s when I realized—sometimes the scrappy meals turn into the keepers.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

Why You’ll Love This Fried Cabbage with Pepper Bacon Recipe?

Here’s the thing about this fried cabbage recipe: it’s not fancy, and that’s the magic. It’s quick—you can have it on the table in about 15 minutes. It’s cheap—cabbage is still one of those veggies that won’t break the grocery bill. And it’s ridiculously flavorful. The pepper bacon adds smokiness, the soy sauce gives it that salty-savory depth, and the red pepper adds sweetness and color so it doesn’t look like a pile of sad greens. Honestly, it’s comfort food you can whip up on a random Tuesday or slide onto the Thanksgiving table without anyone questioning it.

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s break down what makes this skillet of Fried Cabbage with Pepper Bacon shine:

Cabbage – Slice it thin. Don’t worry about it being perfect; cabbage is forgiving.
Red Pepper – Adds sweetness and color. Without it, the dish tastes good, but with it? It tastes balanced.
Garlic – A few cloves, sautéed just long enough to make you hungry.
Pepper Bacon – The difference between “eh” and “wow.” That peppery edge really pops against the sweetness of the cabbage.
Soy Sauce – A splash brings everything together with umami depth.
Cornstarch + Water – Thickens the sauce just enough to coat the veggies.
Salt & Pepper – Go light—remember the bacon and soy sauce are already doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

How To Make Fried Cabbage with Pepper Bacon?

This isn’t the kind of recipe where you need to stress—once everything’s chopped, you’ll have it done before you even think about it.

Step 1: Heat the Skillet.
Grab a big skillet or wok, crank it to medium-high, and add a little oil. Toss in the garlic and let it sizzle for just a few seconds. Don’t answer your phone, don’t wander off—burnt garlic is unforgiving.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon.
Chop up that pepper bacon and get it in the pan. Fry until it’s crisp and browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain off most of the grease, but leave some—it’s basically liquid seasoning at this point.

Step 3: Add the Veggies.
Throw in your cabbage and red pepper. Stir-fry until the cabbage softens and the pepper turns tender but not mushy. The colors will be gorgeous, and the smell? Even better.

Step 4: Sauce it Up.
Pour in the soy sauce, stir well, then whisk the cornstarch into cold water and add that too. Stir everything together, and watch as the sauce thickens into a glossy coat that clings to every bite. Taste and adjust, but honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

Storage Options:

This dish is at its best hot out of the pan, when the cabbage still has a little bite. But if you’ve got leftovers (rare in my house), stick them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3 days. Reheat in a skillet to revive the texture, though the microwave will do in a pinch. Freezing? Eh, I wouldn’t. Cabbage gets watery and sad after thawing.

Variations and Substitutions:

The fun part about fried cabbage is that it plays well with others. Try these tweaks:

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Other Meats – Smoked sausage, ham, or even leftover pulled pork instead of bacon.
Vegetarian Version – Skip the bacon, add smoked paprika and maybe a drizzle of sesame oil.
Spicy Kick – Red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or even jalapeño if you want to wake things up.
Extra Veggies – Mushrooms, carrots, or onions fit right in.
Low-Sodium Swap – Use reduced-salt soy sauce to keep things lighter.

What to Serve with Fried Cabbage with Pepper Bacon?

This can be the star of the show or a sidekick, depending on what mood you’re in.

Rice or Noodles – To soak up the sauce.
Mashed Potatoes – A Southern-style combo that never fails.
Grilled Chicken or Pork Chops – Meaty mains that balance the smoky cabbage.
Cornbread – Because, well, cornbread makes everything better.
Breakfast Twist – Add a fried egg on top and call it brunch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular bacon?
Of course! Just add a little extra black pepper to make up for the missing kick.

Can I make it ahead of time?
You can, but it’s best fresh. If you do reheat, use a skillet instead of a microwave if you want to keep a little crunch.

Do I have to use soy sauce?
Not at all. Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, or even teriyaki can give it a fun twist.

This Fried Cabbage with Pepper Bacon is smoky, savory, a little sweet, and the kind of meal that reminds you how good “simple” can be. Honestly, it’s the recipe I turn to when I want comfort food fast. Give it a try and tell me—would you eat it as a main dish, or does it feel more like a side for you? I can never decide.

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!

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