Description
This Easy Fried Cabbage recipe features crispy bacon, sautéed onions, and tender cabbage seasoned with stone ground mustard and smoked paprika, creating a flavorful and comforting side dish. Quick to prepare, it’s perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner or a soul-warming accompaniment.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 6 pieces bacon (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 head cabbage (sliced and chopped)
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons stone ground mustard (or Dijon mustard)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the sliced bacon. Cook until crispy, then remove the bacon pieces and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan for cooking the vegetables.
- Sauté Onions: Add the diced onions to the pan with the bacon grease and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, stone ground mustard, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything well to combine the flavors.
- Cook Cabbage: Place the sliced and chopped cabbage on top of the seasoned onion mixture. Use a large spoon or tongs to stir and sauté together, cooking the cabbage for 12 to 15 minutes until it becomes buttery soft and slightly caramelized.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the crispy bacon back into the pan with the cooked cabbage and stir everything together evenly before serving.
Notes
- For a milder cabbage flavor, use green cabbage; for a sweeter note, try red cabbage.
- If you prefer vegetarian, omit bacon and use olive oil or vegan butter instead.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste; smoked paprika adds a nice smoky depth.
- This dish pairs well with cornbread, mashed potatoes, or as a side to grilled meats.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American Southern
Keywords: fried cabbage, bacon cabbage recipe, sautéed cabbage, easy side dish, southern cooking
