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    Bites with Bri » Side Dish » Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions

    Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions

    Published: Jan 20, 2023 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions is salty, smoky, tangy, and sweet. It is a very popular side to make for the Irish holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, but I love to make it year round. It is so simple & tasty!

    Overhead image of fried cabbage with bacon & onions in black pot.

    This southern fried cabbage is a delicious and hearty side dish, like my Balsamic Glaze Brussel Sprouts or Arugula and Goat Cheese Salad.

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions
    • Recipe Serving Suggestions
    • Expert Tips & Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Side Dish Recipes
    • Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Simple ingredients - You likely have most of these ingredients already in your refrigerator and pantry.
    • Loaded with bacon - This recipe is heavy on the bacon. Frying the vegetables in the bacon fat gives them a rich smoky flavor.
    • Sweet & tangy - The honey brings out the natural sweetness of the onions and contrasts the apple cider vinegar nicely. 
    • Crisp cabbage - The cabbage is only cooked for about 10 minutes so it does not become mushy and maintains a nice texture. 
    • Easy side dish - This recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any protein. 
    • Great for St. Patrick’s Day - This dish is very popular to make for St. Patty’s Day. 

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Overhead image of ingredients needed to make fried cabbage with bacon & onion.
    • Honey: Substitute brown sugar or granulated sugar. 
    • Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions

    Quick Overview

    • Fry the bacon.
    • Sauté the onions. 
    • Fry the cabbage and serve hot.

    Step by Step Instructions

    A 6 photo collage showing the assembly of fried cabbage with bacon & onion.

    Step 1: In a large dutch oven or skillet on medium low heat, fry the bacon until the fat has rendered and it is crispy.

    Step 2: Remove the bacon and set aside. Do not discard the grease.

    Step 3: Turn the heat to medium and add the onions, honey, and about ½ teaspoon of the salt.

    Step 4: Sauté for about 15 minutes or until brown.

    Step 5: Add the cabbage and stir in the remaining salt, pepper, and paprika.

    Step 6: Sauté for about 10 minutes until softened to your liking. Stir in the garlic, vinegar, and bacon. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

    Be sure to not drain the bacon grease. This will be used to fry the onions and cabbage.

    The onion should have a deep golden brown color.

    Recipe Serving Suggestions

    Here are some of my favorite proteins to serve fried cabbage with:

    • Oven Baked Spiral Ham
    • The Best Dutch Pork Chops
    • Cast Iron Skillet Boneless Chicken Breast
    • Crock-Pot Dr. Pepper Ribs
    • Easy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast

    Expert Tips & Variations

    • Don’t drain the bacon grease. There is no additional oil in this recipe because everything is fried in the bacon drippings. 
    • Brown the onions. The onion should develop lots of color. This adds so much flavor to the dish. 
    • Use smoked paprika. Plain paprika lacks flavor. Smoked paprika will enhance the smokiness of the bacon.
    • Do not overcook the cabbage. I find the texture is much better when the cabbage is still a little crispy. If you prefer it softer, continue cooking until it reaches desired tenderness. 
    Up close image of fried cabbage with bacon & onion.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is fried cabbage good for you?

    Yes, it is a great source of fiber.

    How do you cut cabbage for frying?

    I prefer to chop it into large squares instead of slicing it. Start by quartering the head. Remove the core from each quarter. Place the quarter cut side down. Make about 1 inch cuts in both directions to form squares.

    Should you blanch cabbage before frying?

    No. It will be overcooked and mushy. There is no need to blanch it.

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    More Side Dish Recipes

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    • Asian Cabbage Salad with Peanut Dressing Recipe
    • Savory Bacon & Cheddar Cheese Muffins
    • What To Serve With Chicken Tikka Masala - 12 Best Side Dishes

    If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or comment! I always appreciate your feedback. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.

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    5 from 47 votes

    Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions

    This easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions is salty, smoky, tangy, and sweet. It is a very popular side to make for the Irish holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, but I love to make it year round. It is so simple & tasty!
    Servings8
    Prep5 minutes minutes
    Cook35 minutes minutes
    Total40 minutes minutes
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • 6 Quart Dutch Oven
    • Large Cutting Board
    • 8 inch Chef's Knife

    Ingredients:

    • 7-8 slices bacon, diced
    • 2 yellow onions, sliced thinly
    • 1 Tablespoon honey*
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt, divided*
    • 1 large head cabbage, chopped
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 6 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

    Instructions:

    • In a large dutch oven or skillet on medium low heat, fry the bacon until the fat has rendered and it is crispy.
    • Remove the bacon and set aside. Do not discard the grease.
    • Turn the heat to medium and add the onions, honey, and about ½ teaspoon of the salt.
    • Sauté for about 15 minutes or until brown.
    • Add the cabbage and stir in the remaining salt, pepper, and paprika.
    • Sauté for about 10 minutes until softened to your liking. Stir in the garlic, vinegar, and bacon. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

    Notes:

    • Honey: Substitute brown sugar or granulated sugar.
    • Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
    • Don’t drain the bacon grease. There is no additional oil in this recipe because everything is fried in the bacon drippings. 
    • Brown the onions. The onion should develop lots of color. This adds so much flavor to the dish. 
    • Use smoked paprika. Plain paprika lacks flavor. Smoked paprika will enhance the smokiness of the bacon.
    • Do not overcook the cabbage. I find the texture is much better when the cabbage is still a little crispy. If you prefer it softer, continue cooking until it reaches desired tenderness.

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 576mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica Formicola

      March 29, 2023 at 6:41 am

      5 stars
      This is the best fried cabbage I've ever made! The bacon totally took it over the top- even the kids loved it!

      Reply
    2. Penny

      January 31, 2023 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      Your recipes look so delicious and I’ve been trying to eat healthy so these look healthy in addition to yummy !!

      Reply
      • Brianna May

        February 01, 2023 at 6:46 am

        Thank you Penny!! 🙂

        Reply

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    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

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