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