Delicious Fried Cabbage and Bacon

This delicious fried cabbage with bacon will be a hit from the beginning. The cabbage is soft and flavored fully with yummy, bacon savory onions, and delicious garlic. You can serve this dish anywhere and it will be gobbled up in no time. It’s that delicious.

If you have never had pan-fried cabbage, you are not living. I mean to tell you this side dish is simple to make but loaded with vibrant flavors. Pair with any main dish and watch it outshine the meal. I used a cast iron skillet and it worked perfectly for that southern fried cabbage I grew up eating. 

If you’re in the south, you may have had fried cabbage somewhere in your life. Whether you’re in the south or not though this delicious fried cabbage and bacon recipe is a must try. This dish works as a side dish, but it’s a total show stealer. True to southern tradition, I suggest cooking this up in a cast iron skillet for the full southern effect.

 

DELICIOUS FRIED CABBAGE AND BACON

This dish is hearty enough to make it a meal on its own if you prefer to go that route over a side dish. Pair with a homemade dinner roll, side salad, or even vegetable and call it a meal! However, you choose to serve this fried cabbage you are sure to enjoy it. 

First of all, this dish can absolutely pass as a main dish. Ideas for foods to pair with this delicious fried cabbage and bacon recipe include warm rolls, a crispy salad, and some steamed veggies. However, this dish is pretty versatile and would pair with much more.

IMMERSION OF INGREDIENTS

One thing you definitely CANNOT describe this dish as is flavorless. The beauty of cabbage is that as it cooks it softens and becomes immersed in the other flavors in the dish.

CABBAGE COOKING TIME

If you have never had cooked cabbage before, you may think cabbage takes a long time to cook. However, his fried cabbage and bacon dish is pretty quick to make. The bacon does not take long to fry and then all you need to do is add in your cabbage and everything else. The cabbage will soften quickly. I would say this is a great dish for last minute or time crunch moments!

CABBAGE IN THE FRIDGE

This recipe is best as a fresh dish; however, it also holds up well as leftovers. Be sure to let your cabbage and bacon cool off before placing in the fridge. It can last up to three days in the fridge. An airtight container will keep your food the freshest for the longest. However, you can also use tinfoil or saran wrap to cover your dish in the fridge. It’s recommended to not go beyond three days just because the cabbage does not do well for very long.

CABBAGE IN THE FREEZER

The great thing about a lot of vegetables is that they freeze well. Cabbage is no exception. If you have a lot of cabbage left over, freeze it! You just need to cut the cabbage into four sections and pull it apart. Cabbage can keep in the freezer for around four weeks. Cabbage does not maintain its crispiness, however, after freezing but there’s a ton of things you can still use it for.  Fried cabbage is still doable as you don’t need the crispness (like you would in, say, slaw).

Give this dish a try if you love cabbage. Or, even if you want to give a cabbage dish a try or introduce it to someone. Traditionalists too will enjoy the fun twist of the classic cast iron fried cabbage. Children will also enjoy this dish – just don’t tell them it’s vegetables!

THREE HELPFUL POINTERS

1. There are ways to find the healthiest options when it comes to bacon. Options for healthiest bacon include bacon that has reduced salt, is not cured, and is cut from center. There are health-centered grocery stores where you can likely find these types of bacon.
2. Did you know you can save your bacon grease? Yes! Just pour the bacon grease into a safe container and stick it in the freezer to use later. It’s great for things you want to add a nice bacon flavor to.
3. Keep portion sizes in mind when preparing this for different people, number of people, and larger groups. For instance, children are likely to take smaller portions, but if you’re serving the same number of adults then what is consumed will of course be higher. The compensate for larger portions or more people simply just get larger or more cabbage, twice the amount of onion, and go in on more bacon. I am always down for some more bacon!

DEALING WITH MOLD

If you know your way around the kitchen at all, you know that mold is a common topic when it comes to food prep. Questions that are brought up whether or not food is still good to eat. There are those that argue that just cutting the mold part off is fine. As a rule of thumb for me though, in dealing with mold, it’s generally just safer to just toss it. The risks associated with mold are not worth it and just re-buying the item is the safe bet. You can never be fully sure how the mold has affected your food, how far it has seeped through, and even how it may affect your body.

FRIED CABBAGE AND BACON INGREDIENTS

Cabbage

Onion

Garlic

Bacon

Onion powder

Garlic powder

Salt and pepper

HOW TO MAKE FRIED CABBAGE AND BACON INGREDIENTS

First STEP: 

Begin by frying the bacon. As it finishes, set it aside and let it cool off. Chop into little pieces.

Second STEP: 

Save the bacon grease.

Using the saved bacon grease, in a cast iron fry the chopped onions until browning.

Third STEP: 

Next, add your minced garlic to the cast iron. Cook for 30 seconds.

Reduce to medium-low heat. Then, add the cabbage, combine, and add a lid to the pan.

Fourth STEP: 

Let the mixture cook until the cabbage is soft and done.

Once the cabbage is finished, add in the spices and salt and pepper.

Fifth STEP: 

Finally, finish the dish by adding the bacon on top.

Serve and enjoy!