What the heck is this?
Forget everything you think you know about cabbage because this dish is about to flip your world upside down. We’re talking tender, golden cabbage that’s been blessed by crispy bacon and cooked down into pure comfort food magic. This isn’t some sad diet food — it’s the kind of dish that makes you understand why your great-grandma lived to 95. The bacon fat transforms humble cabbage into something so ridiculously good, you’ll be making excuses to cook it every week. My neighbor literally knocked on my door asking what smelled so amazing. That’s the power of bacon-fried cabbage, people.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bacon makes everything better (this is science)
- One pan = minimal cleanup and maximum flavor
- Takes cheap ingredients and makes them taste expensive
- Ready in 20 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
- Low-carb, keto-friendly, and naturally gluten-free
- Perfect comfort food that happens to be healthy
- Great as a side dish or hearty enough to be dinner
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Dream Team:
- 6-8 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 large head of cabbage (about 2-3 lbs), cored and sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced thin
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced (adds color and sweetness)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt (start with less, bacon is salty)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (cuts through the richness perfectly)
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (classic cabbage pairing)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (if you like things a little sweet)
- Fresh thyme or sage
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Bacon First, Always
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy and golden, about 6-8 minutes.
Don’t drain the fat — that’s liquid gold right there. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Base
Keep about 3-4 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan (drain excess if needed).
Add sliced onions and cook until they start to soften and turn golden, about 5 minutes.
Toss in the bell pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Cabbage Time
Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Now dump in all that sliced cabbage. It’ll look like too much, but trust the process.
Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
Step 4: The Magic Happens
Stir everything together and let it cook down, stirring occasionally.
The cabbage will wilt and caramelize, becoming tender and golden — this takes about 12-15 minutes.
Don’t rush it; good things take time.
Step 5: Bring It Home
When the cabbage is tender and beautifully caramelized, stir the crispy bacon back in.
Add apple cider vinegar if using (seriously, try it) and any fresh herbs.
Taste and adjust seasoning — more salt? More pepper? You’re the boss.
Step 6: Serve and Conquer
Serve it hot as a side dish or pile it over mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal.
Top with a fried egg for breakfast vibes, or stuff it into a grilled cheese for next-level sandwich action.
Serving Suggestions
This is incredible alongside roasted chicken, pork chops, or grilled sausages.
Pile it on top of baked sweet potatoes for a sweet-and-savory combo that’ll blow your mind.
Mix it into scrambled eggs or use it as a filling for omelets.
Serve it over rice or quinoa with a dollop of sour cream for a complete meal.
Switch It Up
German Style: Add sliced apples, caraway seeds, and a splash of beer while cooking.
Southern Comfort: Stir in some collard greens and finish with a splash of hot sauce.
Breakfast Vibes: Top with fried eggs and serve with buttered toast.
Loaded Version: Add diced potatoes at the beginning and cook until crispy.
Spicy Kick: Use jalapeños instead of bell peppers and add extra red pepper flakes.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can prep all your vegetables the night before and store them covered in the fridge.
The whole dish reheats beautifully — just add a splash of water if it seems dry.
Leftovers keep for 4-5 days and taste even better the next day (if that’s possible).
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use turkey bacon instead? A: You can, but you’ll need to add some oil since turkey bacon doesn’t render much fat. Regular bacon is really where it’s at for this recipe.
Q: How do I know when the cabbage is done? A: It should be tender when pierced with a fork and golden brown in spots. No raw crunch, but not mushy either.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian? A: Skip the bacon and use olive oil or butter, but add some smoked paprika and maybe a splash of liquid smoke for that smoky flavor.
Q: What’s the best type of cabbage to use? A: Regular green cabbage works perfectly. Red cabbage is pretty but can turn everything purple, so heads up on that.
Q: Can I add other vegetables? A: Absolutely! Mushrooms, carrots, or Brussels sprouts would all be amazing additions.
Print
Fried Cabbage with Bacon: The One-Pan Wonder That’ll Convert Anyone
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Forget everything you think you know about cabbage because this dish is about to flip your world upside down. We’re talking tender, golden cabbage that’s been blessed by crispy bacon and cooked down into pure comfort food magic. This isn’t some sad diet food — it’s the kind of dish that makes you understand why your great-grandma lived to 95. The bacon fat transforms humble cabbage into something so ridiculously good, you’ll be making excuses to cook it every week. My neighbor literally knocked on my door asking what smelled so amazing. That’s the power of bacon-fried cabbage, people.
Ingredients
For the Dream Team:
- 6–8 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 large head of cabbage (about 2–3 lbs), cored and sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced thin
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced (adds color and sweetness)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt (start with less, bacon is salty)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (cuts through the richness perfectly)
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (classic cabbage pairing)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (if you like things a little sweet)
- Fresh thyme or sage
Instructions
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy and golden, about 6-8 minutes.
Don’t drain the fat — that’s liquid gold right there. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Keep about 3-4 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan (drain excess if needed).
Add sliced onions and cook until they start to soften and turn golden, about 5 minutes.
Toss in the bell pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Now dump in all that sliced cabbage. It’ll look like too much, but trust the process.
Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
Stir everything together and let it cook down, stirring occasionally.
The cabbage will wilt and caramelize, becoming tender and golden — this takes about 12-15 minutes.
Don’t rush it; good things take time.
When the cabbage is tender and beautifully caramelized, stir the crispy bacon back in.
Add apple cider vinegar if using (seriously, try it) and any fresh herbs.
Taste and adjust seasoning — more salt? More pepper? You’re the boss.
Serve it hot as a side dish or pile it over mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal.
Top with a fried egg for breakfast vibes, or stuff it into a grilled cheese for next-level sandwich action.
Notes
This is incredible alongside roasted chicken, pork chops, or grilled sausages.
Pile it on top of baked sweet potatoes for a sweet-and-savory combo that’ll blow your mind.
Mix it into scrambled eggs or use it as a filling for omelets.
Serve it over rice or quinoa with a dollop of sour cream for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~150 kcal per serving
- Protein: ~8g