Can I use red cabbage instead of green?

Absolutely! Red cabbage will work beautifully in this recipe and will give you a gorgeous purple hue. Just note that it tends to be slightly tougher than green cabbage, so you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the bacon and use 2-3 tablespoons of butter instead. You'll miss the smoky bacon flavor, but you can enhance the smokiness by adding a bit more smoked paprika or even a few drops of liquid smoke.

My family doesn't like spicy food. Can I leave out the smoked paprika?

Smoked paprika adds smokiness rather than heat, but if you prefer, you can substitute with sweet paprika or leave it out entirely. The dish will still be delicious with just the bacon, onion, and cabbage.

Can I make this into a complete meal

Definitely! Add some sliced kielbasa, smoked sausage, or even diced ham to make it a hearty one-pan meal. You could also serve it over buttered egg noodles for a complete comfort food experience.

Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe

Name: Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 thick-cut bacon slices, diced; 1/3 cup diced yellow onion; 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded or roughly chopped; 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

This Easy Fried Cabbage is a flavor-packed side dish that transforms humble cabbage into something absolutely mouthwatering. With crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and tender cabbage kissed with a hint of sweetness and smoky flavor, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s the perfect accompaniment to almost any main course and might just convert even the most stubborn cabbage skeptics!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Fast: From prep to plate in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Budget-Friendly: Cabbage is one of the most economical vegetables, and this recipe stretches a few simple ingredients into a satisfying side dish that serves four.
Versatile: Works beautifully alongside everything from grilled chicken to pork chops, or can even stand alone as a light main course.
Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of bacon and slightly caramelized cabbage wins over even those who “don’t like cabbage.”

Ingredients You’ll Need

Bacon: Adds a wonderful smoky flavor and provides the fat for cooking everything else. The crispy bits create a delightful texture contrast with the tender cabbage.
Yellow onion: Creates a sweet, aromatic foundation that enhances the cabbage’s natural flavors as it caramelizes in the bacon fat.
Green cabbage: The star of the show! It soaks up all the fantastic flavors while maintaining a slight bite when cooked properly.
Brown sugar: Just a touch brings out the cabbage’s natural sweetness and helps create those delicious caramelized edges.
Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dish.
Smoked paprika: This is the secret ingredient that adds an irresistible smoky depth to complement the bacon.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Spicy Fried Cabbage

Add a diced jalapeño with the onions and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a version with some heat.

Garlic Lover’s Fried Cabbage

Toss in 3-4 minced garlic cloves during the last minute of cooking the onions.

Hearty Meal Version

Add sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa along with the bacon for a more substantial one-pan meal.

Asian-Inspired Twist

Skip the paprika and add a tablespoon of soy sauce, a teaspoon of sesame oil, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving.

How to Make Easy Fried Cabbage

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it’s perfectly crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spatula and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Keep that liquid gold (bacon grease) in the pan!

Step 2: Sauté the Onions

Add the diced yellow onion to the bacon grease and cook until it becomes translucent and starts to soften, about 5 minutes. The onions will absorb all that wonderful bacon flavor.

Step 3: Add Cabbage and Seasonings

Add your roughly chopped or shredded cabbage to the skillet. Sprinkle in the brown sugar, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Give everything a good stir to coat the cabbage in all those flavors.

Step 4: Cook Until Tender

Cook the cabbage mixture, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage becomes tender but still has a slight bite to it, about 7-10 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cabbage has reduced in volume and has some beautiful caramelized edges.

Step 5: Return the Bacon

Toss the crispy bacon back into the skillet and stir to combine everything. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcook: Cabbage tastes best when it still has a bit of texture. Overcooked cabbage can become mushy and develop a stronger, less pleasant flavor.
Cut Size Matters: The size you cut your cabbage affects cooking time. Smaller pieces cook faster but can become soft quickly. Larger chunks take longer but maintain more texture.
Bacon Selection: Thick-cut bacon provides bigger, meatier pieces in the final dish. Choose a good quality bacon for the best flavor.
Use a Heavy Skillet: A cast iron or heavy-bottomed pan distributes heat evenly and creates better caramelization on the cabbage.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This fried cabbage is exceptional alongside pork dishes like chops or tenderloin. It also works beautifully with grilled or roasted chicken, meatloaf, or even a hearty piece of fish.

Complete the Meal

Round out the plate with some simple mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices.

Holiday Addition

This dish makes a wonderful addition to holiday meals as an alternative to heavier sides. It adds color and flavor to the table while being quick to prepare.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover fried cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors actually develop nicely as it sits, though the texture of the cabbage will soften a bit.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this dish as the cabbage will become very soft when thawed. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh or within a day or two of making.

Reheating

Gently reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a small splash of water or broth to loosen it up. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the stovetop method helps maintain better texture.

FAQs

Can I use red cabbage instead of green?

Absolutely! Red cabbage will work beautifully in this recipe and will give you a gorgeous purple hue. Just note that it tends to be slightly tougher than green cabbage, so you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the bacon and use 2-3 tablespoons of butter instead. You’ll miss the smoky bacon flavor, but you can enhance the smokiness by adding a bit more smoked paprika or even a few drops of liquid smoke.
My family doesn’t like spicy food. Can I leave out the smoked paprika?

Smoked paprika adds smokiness rather than heat, but if you prefer, you can substitute with sweet paprika or leave it out entirely. The dish will still be delicious with just the bacon, onion, and cabbage.
Can I make this into a complete meal

Definitely! Add some sliced kielbasa, smoked sausage, or even diced ham to make it a hearty one-pan meal. You could also serve it over buttered egg noodles for a complete comfort food experience.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Fried Cabbage recipe transforms an ordinary vegetable into something extraordinary with minimal effort. The combination of crispy bacon, sweet onions, and tender cabbage creates a side dish that’s far greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight side or something different to add to your dinner rotation, give this fried cabbage a try – I’m convinced it might just become a new family favorite!