Fried Cabbage with Bacon: The Southern Comfort Classic Everyone’s Craving
This Southern-style Fried Cabbage with Bacon brings comfort to the table in under 30 minutes. It’s buttery, smoky, tender, and packed with nostalgic flavor — just like Grandma used to make.
Equipment
- Large skillet or cast-iron pan
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Paper towels for draining bacon
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium green cabbage, cored and chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 splash apple cider vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until it’s crisp and golden. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping about 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan.
- Add diced onion to the bacon drippings. Stir often until the onion turns soft and slightly golden — this builds that incredible Southern base flavor.
- Toss in the chopped cabbage, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir well so everything gets coated with that buttery bacon goodness.
- Cover the skillet and let the cabbage steam for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should shrink down and become tender but not mushy.
- Stir the crispy bacon back into the pan. Sprinkle with smoked paprika or red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Enjoy hot as a main or a side. It pairs beautifully with fried chicken, pork chops, or just a slice of warm cornbread.
Notes
Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. To make it vegetarian, skip the bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke with olive oil.