Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon Southern Skillet is the kind of recipe I lean on when it is a busy weeknight, my fridge looks a little sad, and I still want dinner to feel cozy. You know those nights when you want something hot and comforting but you do not want a sink full of dishes? This is that meal. It is salty, a little sweet from the cabbage, and full of that smoky bacon flavor that makes everybody wander into the kitchen asking what smells so good. If you have ever felt unsure about how to make cabbage taste amazing, I have you.

Ingredients Needed for Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

I like to keep this simple and pantry friendly, because that is the whole point. You do not need fancy stuff to make cabbage taste like something you would happily eat straight out of the skillet.

Here is what you will need:

• Cabbage, one medium head, chopped (green cabbage is classic)
• Bacon, about 6 to 8 slices, cut into small pieces
• Onion, 1 medium, sliced or chopped
• Garlic, 2 to 3 cloves, minced (optional but so good)
• Butter, 1 to 2 tablespoons (optional, but it adds that Southern comfort vibe)
• Salt and black pepper
• Smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne, optional for warmth
• Apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon, optional for a bright finish

One quick note from my own trial and error: cabbage cooks down a lot. The first time I made this, I thought I chopped too much. Nope. Once it hits the heat, it relaxes and shrinks, and suddenly that huge pile looks normal.

If you love that bacon and crunchy veggie combo, you might also like this side dish I make for potlucks. It is creamy, sweet, and disappears fast: easy broccoli salad with bacon and sweet creamy dressing.

How to Make it Southern Cabbage

This is where the magic happens, and it is honestly not complicated. You are basically building flavor in layers, and the skillet does most of the work.

Step by step skillet method

1) Crisp up the bacon. Put a large skillet on medium heat and cook the bacon pieces until they are browned and starting to crisp. Stir now and then so nothing burns. When it looks good, scoop the bacon out and leave the drippings in the pan.

2) Cook the onion. Toss the onion into the bacon drippings and cook for a few minutes until it softens. Add garlic for the last 30 seconds if you are using it. If your pan looks dry, add a little butter. I do this a lot, because I like that rich taste.

3) Add the cabbage. Add the chopped cabbage in batches if needed. It will look like way too much at first, but keep stirring and it will settle down. Season with salt and pepper. If you are using smoked paprika or a little cayenne, add it now.

4) Let it get tender, but not mushy. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every couple minutes. I like my cabbage tender with a little bite. If you like it softer, just cook a few minutes longer.

5) Bring the bacon back. Stir the cooked bacon back in. Taste and adjust seasoning. If it tastes flat, a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar wakes it up in the best way.

My biggest tip is to not rush the cabbage. That slow skillet time is what gives you those slightly browned edges and deeper flavor. Also, keep your heat around medium. If it is too high, you end up with scorched bits and crunchy cabbage that never softens.

On nights when I am already in a Southern skillet mood, I will plan a full comfort dinner. These go so well together, especially when you want extra gravy in your life: easy smothered pork chops with Southern gravy skillet.

What can I use other than bacon?

I get it. Sometimes you are out of bacon, sometimes you do not eat pork, and sometimes you just want to switch it up. You can still make a really tasty skillet cabbage, you just need a good salty or smoky element to replace what bacon usually brings.

Easy swaps that still taste great

Here are a few options:

Turkey bacon: It works, especially if you brown it well and add a little butter or olive oil for richness.

Smoked sausage: Slice it, brown it first, then cook the onion and cabbage in the drippings. This is a big flavor win.

Ham: Diced ham gives you that salty bite. You may need to add a little oil or butter since ham does not render fat like bacon.

Smoked paprika plus butter: For a meatless version, cook onion in butter, add cabbage, and season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add a tiny splash of soy sauce if you want extra savory flavor.

Plant based bacon: Some brands crisp up nicely. Cook it separately so it does not get soggy, then stir it in at the end.

“I made this with smoked sausage because that is what I had, and my family ate the whole skillet. Even my picky kid asked for seconds.”

Also, if you are doing a meatless version, do not skip that little splash of vinegar or lemon at the end. It helps a lot, like adding the final note to a song.

For another easy comfort meal when you want something filling without a lot of effort, I keep this one in rotation: cozy crockpot lasagna soup recipe.

What do I serve this cabbage with?

This is one of those flexible sides that can also be a main if you pile it into a bowl and call it dinner. I do that more than I admit, especially when I am standing at the counter “taste testing” and suddenly I have eaten a whole serving.

Serving ideas I actually use:

• Cornbread or biscuits, because you need something to soak up the buttery, bacony goodness
• Fried or baked chicken, simple and always a hit
• Pork chops, especially if they have gravy
• Black eyed peas or pinto beans for a classic Southern plate
• Mashed potatoes, because cabbage and potatoes are best friends

If you want something cool and crunchy next to the warm skillet cabbage, a broccoli salad is perfect at cookouts. I have another version here too: easy broccoli salad with bacon sweet creamy dressing.

And if you are feeding a family and want an easy main dish that is basically guaranteed comfort, this is a solid choice for a weeknight: cozy tuna casserole pasta bake.

More Southern Recipes

If you like meals that come together in one pan and taste like home, you are in the right place. Easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon Southern Skillet is one of those recipes that makes you feel like you did something special, even though it was mostly just chopping and stirring.

Here are a few ways to make it your own next time:

Add a little sweetness: A pinch of sugar can balance the salt and bring out the cabbage flavor.

Make it spicy: A few shakes of hot sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes, makes it lively.

Add more veggies: Sliced bell pepper or a handful of shredded carrots works nicely.

Turn it into a meal: Stir in cooked egg noodles or serve it over rice with extra bacon.

After you make it once, you will start eyeballing cabbage at the store like, okay yes, I know what you are becoming tonight. And honestly, that is a good feeling. This is the kind of food that stretches a budget and still tastes like comfort.

Common Questions

Can I make Easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon Southern Skillet ahead of time?
Yes. It reheats well. Warm it in a skillet for best texture, or microwave it in short bursts and stir in between.

How do I keep the cabbage from getting mushy?
Do not overcook it. Start checking around the 10 minute mark, and keep the heat at medium so it softens without turning to mush.

Do I need to wash cabbage?
I do. I rinse the outside, then after chopping I give it a quick rinse in a colander and shake it dry. A little water clinging to it is fine, it helps it steam a bit.

What if my cabbage tastes bland?
Add a bit more salt and pepper, then try a splash of vinegar or lemon. Bacon helps a lot, but that tiny bit of acid is usually what makes it pop.

Can I freeze leftovers?
You can, but the texture gets softer after thawing. I prefer eating it within 3 days from the fridge.

A cozy skillet dinner you will want again

If you have been looking for a no fuss side that tastes like real comfort food, Easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon Southern Skillet is a great one to keep in your back pocket. It is simple, budget friendly, and it goes with just about everything. If you want to compare another classic version, check out Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon – blackpeoplesrecipes.com for more inspiration. Now grab that skillet, crisp the bacon, and let the cabbage do its thing. You will be surprised how fast it becomes a regular at your table.