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

Description

This Easy Fried Cabbage is a simple yet flavorful dish combining tender cabbage with savory bacon, onions, and aromatic seasonings. It’s a one-pan recipe perfect for a quick side dish or a hearty addition to any meal. With just a handful of ingredients, this comforting recipe delivers wholesome, homestyle flavors in no time.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients

6 thick-cut bacon slices, diced
1/3 cup diced yellow onion
1/2 head green cabbage, shredded or roughly chopped

Seasonings

1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

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Instructions

Cook the bacon
In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crisp, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spatula to remove the bacon and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve the bacon grease in the skillet for added flavor.
Sauté the onions
In the same skillet, add the diced yellow onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the onions begin to turn translucent and fragrant.
Add the cabbage and seasonings
Roughly chop or shred the cabbage and add it to the skillet with the cooked onions. Stir in the brown sugar (if using), salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 7–10 minutes, until the cabbage becomes tender and absorbs the flavors.
Combine with bacon and serve
Return the cooked bacon to the skillet, mixing it well with the cabbage and seasonings. Serve hot, and enjoy!

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use 2–3 tablespoons of salted butter to cook the onions and cabbage instead.
This dish is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 185
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 410mg
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg