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5 from 49 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!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 85kcal
Author: Brianna May

Equipment

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