Southern Fried Cabbage With Bacon

This Cabbage & Bacon Skillet is what I call "comfort food that doesn't try too hard." You know those recipes that just work without fancy ingredients or complicated techniques? This is one of them. Tender cabbage cooked in smoky bacon fat with caramelized onions and just the right amount of seasoning – it's simple southern cooking at its absolute best.

I still remember the first time I made this southern fried cabbage recipe. Emily was about seven, and she gave me the most skeptical look when I announced we were having cabbage for dinner. (Can you blame her? Most kids aren't exactly thrilled about cabbage!) But then she saw the bacon going into the pan, and suddenly she was very interested in helping. Fast forward to dinner, and she ended up asking for seconds. That's the magic of cooking cabbage in bacon fat, folks!

If you're looking for more comforting southern sides to round out your meal, you'll want to check out my Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese – it's the perfect companion to this dish.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Fried Cabbage And Bacon
• Ingredients For Southern Fried Cabbage
• How To Make Southern Fried Cabbage With Bacon
• Storage And Reheating Tips
• Variations And Tips For The Best Soul Food Cabbage
• Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Fried Cabbage
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On This Cabbage And Bacon Skillet
• Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Why You'll Love This Fried Cabbage And Bacon

• Ready in 25 minutes – Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but satisfying
• Budget-friendly ingredients – Cabbage is incredibly affordable, and you probably have everything else in your pantry
• Smoky bacon flavor – The bacon fat coats every piece of cabbage with rich, savory goodness
• Naturally low-carb – A guilt-free side dish that fits into keto and low-carb eating plans
• Customizable heat level – Adjust the red pepper flakes to match your spice preference
• Works with any main dish – This pairs beautifully with everything from fried chicken to pork chops

Ingredients For Southern Fried Cabbage

For The Base:

• 4 pieces thick-cut bacon, chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 1 small head of cabbage, chopped into 1 inch pieces (about 4 cups)
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

For The Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon brown sugar (optional, but I love what it does!)
• Salt and pepper to taste

The brown sugar is technically optional, but honestly? I never skip it. It adds this subtle caramelization that balances out the saltiness from the bacon. Trust me on this one!

How To Make Southern Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Prepare The Bacon:

1. Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Don't rush this step – you want that bacon nice and crispy!
2. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain any excess grease from the pan, but leave about 2 tablespoons of that liquid gold (bacon fat) behind.

Build The Flavor Base:

3. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet with the bacon fat and cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften and turn translucent.
4. Toss in the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn. Your kitchen should smell amazing right about now!

Cook The Cabbage:

5. Add the chopped cabbage, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and brown sugar to the skillet. Stir everything together until the cabbage is well coated with the seasoning and bacon fat.
6. Continue to cook and stir for about 10-15 minutes, until the cabbage begins to shrink down and soften. I like to leave mine with a little bit of crunch, but you can cook it longer if you prefer it super tender.

Finish And Serve:

7. Turn off the heat and add the crispy bacon back to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine.
8. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Remember, the bacon is already salty, so go easy at first!
9. Serve hot and watch it disappear from the table!

Storage And Reheating Tips

I'll be honest – this fried cabbage with bacon tastes best fresh from the skillet, but leftovers are definitely still worth saving!

Storing: Let the cabbage cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It'll keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheating: You've got options here. I usually reheat mine in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps restore some of that crispy texture. If you're in a hurry, the microwave works too – just heat it in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each one.

Freezing: While you can freeze this for up to 2 months, I'm not going to lie – the texture changes a bit when you thaw it. The cabbage gets softer and releases more liquid. If you do freeze it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and drain any excess liquid before reheating.

One time I had about a cup of leftovers, and I ended up stirring it into scrambled eggs for breakfast the next morning. Total accident, but it turned out surprisingly good!

Variations And Tips For The Best Soul Food Cabbage

Heat Level Adjustments:

Want it milder? Skip the red pepper flakes entirely or use just a tiny pinch. Want it spicier? Add an extra ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, or throw in some sliced jalapeños when you add the onions.

Vegetable Add-Ins:

Sometimes I'll throw in a chopped bell pepper along with the onions. Green peppers add a nice color contrast, but red or yellow peppers work great too. I've also added sliced carrots before – they add a touch of sweetness and extra nutrition.

Different Bacon Options:

Can't find thick-cut bacon? Regular bacon works fine, though you might want to use 5-6 slices instead of 4 to get enough rendered fat. Turkey bacon is also an option if that's your preference, but you may need to add a tablespoon of oil or butter since it doesn't render as much fat.

The Secret To Perfect Texture:

Here's something I learned the hard way: don't cover the skillet while the cabbage cooks! I know it's tempting to trap the heat and speed things up, but covering it creates too much steam and makes the cabbage watery instead of caramelized. Keep it uncovered and stir occasionally for the best results.

When To Add The Brown Sugar:

I always add the brown sugar at the beginning with the other seasonings, but some people like to sprinkle it on during the last few minutes of cooking. Either way works – it's really just a matter of preference!

Making It Ahead:

Need to prep ahead for a gathering? You can chop the cabbage, bacon, and onion the night before and store them separately in the refrigerator. Then it's just a matter of tossing everything together when you're ready to cook.

Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Fried Cabbage

Recipes You May Like

• Southern Fried Chicken Recipe - The ultimate southern main dish to pair with this cabbage
• Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese - Another classic southern side that complements this perfectly
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows - Round out your southern spread with this sweet and savory dish

Final Thoughts On This Cabbage And Bacon Skillet

There's something really special about simple recipes that deliver big flavor. This southern fried cabbage recipe is one of those dishes that reminds me why I love cooking – it doesn't require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques, just good quality basics prepared with a little care.

Whether you're serving this at a family dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or just making it on a Tuesday night because you're craving something comforting, I think you're going to love it. The combination of crispy bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and tender cabbage is just… chef's kiss!

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to save this to your Pinterest board so you can find it again when you need a quick, delicious side dish!