This fried cabbage is delicious and super easy to make with a few ingredients. It comes together in less than 30 minutes!
I used to hate cabbage until I tried fried cabbage a few years ago and I really enjoy it now. I made it last weekend for a St.Paddy’s day potluck and there were no leftovers, which was awesome! It goes really well with corned beef, pot roast, grilled chicken and even pork chops.
Now, fried cabbage can be made in various ways but my favorite way involves pan frying it with bacon and onions. I also like to keep the spices very simple and only use salt, pepper and a bit of paprika to add a smoky flavor.
Here are some notes about this recipe:
– Use whatever type of bacon you like- regular, turkey or even vegan. Just remember that turkey bacon and vegan bacon are not very oily and additional oil or butter must be added.
– Use a non-stick pan so that none of the ingredients stick to the pan.
– Make sure to finely chop your onions because they blend together much better with the cabbage.
– Don’t over-cook the cabbage or else the texture becomes very soft and “mushy” and it’s just weird. – Instead of bacon, you can also use sausage.
I know that cabbage is one of those weird vegetables that people either hate or love. If you are not fond of it, seriously, give this recipe a shot and you might start enjoying cabbage too.
What is fried cabbage?
It’s an Irish side dish that’s made by pan-frying cabbage with onions and basic spices and served predominantly with corned beef.
How do you pan fry cabbage?
Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Then, add shredded cabbage, salt, pepper and saute for a few minutes until the cabbage is tender and that’s it. Some recipes (such as mine) also include additional ingredients like onion and bacon.
If you are looking for other sides, you may like these easy honey glazed carrots or these jalapeno garlic mashed potatoes.
Fried Cabbage
- 5-6 thick bacon strips Cut into small pieces
- 1/3 cup onion Finely chopped
- 1/2 head green cabbage shredded or roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar Optional
- Salt To taste
- Pepper To taste
- 1/4 tsp Smoked paprika
- Cook bacon in a non-stick pan over medium heat until crisp. Use a slotted spatula to remove the bacon and place it on plate. Do not discard the bacon grease and drippings!
- In the same pan, add onion and cook until translucent.
- Add cabbage, salt, pepper, paprika and mix everything together. Cook for about 7 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
- Add bacon back into the pan and mix it together with the cabbage and serve warm.
– Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Ok people this is not your grandma’s cabbage OMG I doubled the bacon added brown sugar and balsamic vinegar and everyone lost their minds it’s a crowd pleaser FYI also how I cook my brussel sprouts left overs NAW not on cabbage had some of the ribs left but not this amazing side dish more worthy of a first string go to nightly family dinner play book
I’m used to putting apple cider vinegar on cabbage once it’s cooked, so I bet that balsamic vinegar is amazing! I’ll try that next time.
I use balsamic vinegar and also have added zucchini slices when I have them. Everyone always has asked for my recipe too!!
I also added balsamic. It made the difference.
How much balsamic vinegar
How much balsamic vinegar, and what does it taste like.
Yes! I am Italian and many times we add balsamic vinegar and sugar (brown or whichever you prefer) to our cooking. We call it agro/dolce (sweet and sour). It is a method of making almost any vegetable, meat, chicken or fish dish taste wonderful. Can’t wait to try it with this recipe.
We’ve been making a version of this for years without the bacon. We usually add one or two dried un-cut red chili peppers and white vinegar.
Can’t wait to try it with bacon. Everything is better with bacon!!!!
Thank you so much for the recipe I started learning how to cook at a age of 48 and these easy to follow recipes help me greatly.
welcome to the crowd of new cooks! next you might be growing your own!!
This was absolutely amazing. I am 15 and I made this for my family and it was great. Thank You!
This is a common Jamaican dish. Cabbage is cooked with a variety of meats or without meat. A common and quick recipe is to prepare cabbage with cook salted/preserved codfish with cabbage.
I just made this. Absolutely delicious! I added a pound of cooked ground chicken to this recipe, and it was a complete and delightful meal. ???
OMG! I just made this tonight. Just the wife and I. We did not have smoked paprika so used regular. We really think you should not leave out the brown sugar, it adds a great flavor. Thank you for this recipe.
Leftovers, what leftovers, this was so good, we ate it all. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe; it was quick and easy to make with excellent results. The cabbage dish was perfect. I used the brown sugar option, so happy I did. We now have a new family favorite. BK
Just like my Memere used to make when I was a young kid growing up!!! Brings back great memories of cooking with her in the kitchen!!!
This is delicious and leftovers just microwave to warm.
I made this last night and I love it. I didnt put the sugar in though. Next time.
I add hot sauce to the mix just b4 the cabbage is added. IF it’s too dry add 1/4 cup veggie stock & stir. Yummy
Delicious, very easy, low calories. Family love it. Before I cooked by Boiling…this has better flavoring, and you can add other protein in with bacon. Making it a Main Coarse.
Hat’s off, Thank you for recipe!😊
Great recipe. I dice up an apple in mine
What kind of apple?
The recipe was easy to follow. The cabbage came out delicious.