Bacon, cabbage, onion, garlic, and Creole seasoning come together for the ultimate comfort food — this Southern Fried Cabbage is buttery, crispy, and oh so good.
I’ll be honest… cabbage wasn’t exactly something I rushed to the table for as a kid. You too? Thought so.
It was boring. Or so I thought. That is, until I spent one summer at my great-aunt’s house deep in the South, where meals felt like warm hugs and every recipe had a story. One day, she handed me a plate of what looked like plain ol’ sautéed cabbage. I wasn’t thrilled. But then I took a bite.
Bacon. Seasonings. That buttery softness with just a little edge of crisp. I literally paused mid-chew and said, “Wait… this is cabbage?!”
Fast forward to today — Southern Fried Cabbage is not just something I make. It’s something I crave. Especially when I need that cozy, homey dish that makes you feel like somebody’s grandma is feeding you love by the forkful.
Why You’ll Love This Southern Fried Cabbage Recipe?
Look, I know cabbage has its haters. But this recipe? It converts them. Seriously.
-
Bacon makes everything better — That salty, crispy goodness just hugs the cabbage in all the right ways.
-
It’s FAST — Dinner in 30 minutes? Yes, please.
-
Flavor that doesn’t quit — Thanks to paprika, garlic, and Creole seasoning, every single bite has personality.
-
Double duty dish — Serve it as a side, or pile it up and make it the main star.
Basically? It’s simple, cheap, quick, and crazy satisfying. What’s not to love?
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s break it down, because each piece of this puzzle plays a role:
Bacon — Go big. Thick cut is awesome here for more bite and fat to cook everything in.
Butter or Oil — Up to you. Butter’s my favorite for flavor, but oil works when you wanna keep it lighter (or just ran out of butter — been there).
Onion + Garlic — Non-negotiable. They’re the flavor builders here. Trust me.
Paprika + Creole Seasoning — Smoky. Spicy. Flavor bombs. Use more or less depending on how wild you’re feeling.
Cabbage — Good old green cabbage works best. Chop it up chunky so it doesn’t turn into mush.
Worcestershire Sauce or Bouillon (optional but awesome) — Adds a sneaky layer of umami. Not required, but nice to have.
White Pepper + Red Pepper Flakes — Totally optional but great if you love heat or just want to spice things up a little.
How To Make Southern Fried Cabbage?
Step 1: Start with bacon. Always bacon.
Heat up your skillet. Toss in that chopped bacon and let it crisp up. When it’s good and crispy, scoop some out to save for later (you’ll want that crunch at the end). Leave a little bacon grease in the pan though — that’s liquid gold.
Step 2: Build the flavor party.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Add your butter or oil to the pan. Toss in onions, garlic, paprika, and Creole seasoning. Stir it around for a couple minutes until everything’s fragrant and your kitchen starts smelling like pure Southern bliss.
Step 3: Bring in the cabbage.
Time for the star of the show. Toss in your chopped cabbage and stir it up so it gets coated in all that goodness. Add Worcestershire or bouillon if you’re using it. Cover and let it cook for 10-14 minutes, giving it a stir here and there. It’s done when the cabbage is tender but still has a little life left in it.
Step 4: Finish and serve.
Add the crispy bacon bits back in (if you haven’t snacked on them all yet). Season with white pepper and pepper flakes, give it one last stir, and taste to adjust.
Top with more bacon when you serve because… why not?
Storage Options:
-
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or microwave.
-
Freezer: Ehh, not my favorite. The texture gets weird. But you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
Bonus tip: It honestly tastes even better the next day after the flavors hang out overnight.
Variations and Substitutions:
-
Skip the bacon: Try smoked turkey or ham for a different vibe.
-
Go meatless: Swap butter for oil and ditch the bacon for a vegan-friendly side.
-
Spice level: More pepper flakes = more heat.
-
Add extras: Try tossing in bell peppers, jalapeños, or even sausage for a heartier version.
What to Serve with Southern Fried Cabbage?
-
Cornbread — You just have to.
-
Fried Chicken — A classic Southern duo.
-
Grilled Sausage or Pork Chops — Meaty and satisfying.
-
Rice or Mashed Potatoes — Perfect to soak up all those juices.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Southern Fried Cabbage spicy?
Not unless you want it to be. The Creole seasoning and pepper flakes are easy to adjust to your heat preference.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, it might taste even better the next day.
What if I don’t eat pork?
No worries. Smoked turkey or veggie-friendly swaps still make a tasty version.
Southern Fried Cabbage may seem humble, but let me tell ya… it’s magic. What starts as a simple head of cabbage turns into something rich, savory, and comforting. It’s the kind of dish that makes you wanna sit back, grab a fork, and maybe — just maybe — grab seconds without shame.
Go on, try it tonight. And when you do? Come back and tell me… Did you add extra bacon or turn up the heat?
<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:
Southern Fried Cabbage
Ingredients
- 6 strips or more bacon cut into 3-4 pieces each
- 1-2 tablespoons tbsp (14-28 grams) butter or cooking oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons tsp (10 grams) garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon tsp (2 grams) paprika
- 1 teaspoon tsp (4 grams) Creole seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 medium to large head of cabbage chopped (about 10-12 cups)
- 1 teaspoon tsp (4 grams) Worcestershire sauce or chicken bouillon (adjust to taste, optional)
- ½ teaspoon tsp (1 gram) white pepper
- 1 teaspoon tsp (2 grams) pepper flakes (or more, optional)
Instructions
- In a skillet, over heat medium cook the chopped bacon until it turns crispy. Set aside some for garnishing. Leave a small amount in the skillet.
- Put butter or cooking oil into the skillet. Add in the chopped onion, minced garlic, paprika and Creole seasoning. Sauté them for 2 minutes until the onions become soft and fragrant.
- Mix in the chopped cabbage. If desired include Worcestershire sauce or chicken bouillon to enhance the taste. Cover the skillet. Let it cook for 10 to 14 minutes or until you reach your desired tenderness for the cabbage stirring occasionally.
- Reintroduce the reserved bacon bits and season, with pepper and pepper flakes according to your preference. Adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Sprinkle some of the crispy bacon on top for added crunchiness. Serve this Southern Fried Cabbage as a side dish. Savor it as a main course while relishing in its authentic Southern flavors!
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!
One Response
I make my fried cabbage without the spices, my husband could not eat some spices. I add sausage in slices, many onions, then we add the salt and pepper as desired. Delicious. I am going to add different spices now.to try different tastes.