Fried Cabbage and Bacon

Fried Cabbage and Bacon is a harmony of taste and texture: crispy, savory bacon is fried alongside sweet and tender cabbage, onions, and peppers for a fragrant and flavorful dish!

Fast and Flavorful Fried Cabbage and Bacon

When it comes to Southern-style cooking, you can almost guarantee a boatload of flavor and a healthy helping of wholesome, simple ingredients. Bacon and cabbage are already delicious on their own – with onions, peppers, and garlic added to the pan, the aroma and taste is incredible! It’s hard to believe you can get all of that flavor with only a handful of ingredients.

Vegetables, salt and pepper, bacon, and garlic – that’s all you need!

Leftover bacon slices (this recipe only needs 4!) can be saved to pair with other vegetables, like our fantastic Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts, or mixed into a protein-packed breakfast quiche – we recommend our Bacon and Mushroom Quiche!

Why you will love this Cabbage Bacon Recipe

• It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare
• This cabbage bacon recipe uses inexpensive, year-round ingredients – a truly evergreen dish!
• It’s dripping with flavor without a whole lot of extra seasonings and ingredients
• Reheats well and keeps for up to 5 days — leftovers are always delicious!

How to Make Perfect Fried Bacon and Cabbage

Step 1: Wash and dry the cabbage, onion, and bell peppers before slicing into strips. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 2: Pour the olive oil into a pan and heat on medium. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers, stir frying until soft and fragrant.  

Step 3: Follow with the minced garlic, stirring into the vegetables and cooking until aromatic.

Step 4: Make space between the vegetables for the bacon and add it to the pan. Cook until the meat becomes brown and crispy.

Step 5: Finally add the cabbage and stir fry until soft.

Step 6: Plate fried cabbage and bacon right from the pan and serve warm. 

Pro Tips for Making Fried Cabbage Recipes With Bacon

Add some heat: You can add a twist to this dish with a dash of red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lime juice. It matches well with the ingredients used, and it gives this already delicious fried cabbage with bacon and onions a unique Asian-inspired flavor. 

Take care when doubling: The ingredients measured in this cabbage bacon recipe makes enough for two servings. While this recipe can be doubled easily, you don’t want to make so much at once that the vegetables add too much moisture to your pan – this will steam rather than fry them. 

Reheat in skillet: Leftover fried cabbage and bacon will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat right back in the skillet, no extra oil necessary, stirring to prevent burning.

Frequently asked Questions about Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Should you blanch cabbage before frying?

Blanching cabbage is more for presentation than anything else. It can help to preserve flavor and texture in some recipes, but won’t benefit you when making bacon and cabbage. The vegetables are cooked until soft, so the effects of blanching will be all but lost. 

How do you cut cabbage for frying?

It’s best to slice cabbage into strips to stir fry. Large leaves are somewhat difficult to manage in larger quantities, particularly among other vegetables, while strips are easy to cook evenly. 

Always wash your vegetables before slicing. Additionally, be sure to pay them dry – you want to avoid any injuries from slippery veggies, and we want to avoid any extra moisture in the pan. 

What does cabbage pair well with?

Other than bacon and onions, already included in this cabbage bacon recipe, this leafy green is delicious when paired with:

• Savory meats such as steak, sausages, and pork
• Other sweet and crunchy vegetables such as carrots, beets, and tomatoes
• Wholesome sides such as baked or roasted potatoes, dumplings, and corn
• Savory dishes such as pot roast and chicken pot pie