It’s probably not a huge surprise that we love our Fried Cabbage in this house! This delicious side dish features shredded cabbage cooked in bacon grease mixed with chopped bacon, onions, and spices. A traditional Irish fare, it is warm, satisfying, and pairs well with any meat. We enjoy this meal not only around St. Patrick’s Day but all year long. It’s even better when we are able to harvest the cabbage from our own garden!
Fried cabbage can be served with a wide variety of meals such as meatloaf, pork, roasted chicken, country style ribs and beans, sandwiches, and many other main dishes. It keeps well in the refrigerator and is inexpensive, making it a great and nutritious food to have on hand.
How do you store a head of cabbage?
It is important to store your head of cabbage properly until ready for use. Store unwashed in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. It can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months this way. (If storing in a root cellar, it can last even longer.) Be sure to not cut into or bruise the cabbage as this damages the cellular structure which will lead to faster spoilage. Damage also promotes the deterioration of its Vitamin C content.
Fried Cabbage Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make up this simple yet delicious dish.
Cabbage
We use green cabbage in this recipe but red will work great, too! Not only is cabbage extremely tasty, but it is packed with antioxidants that protect the heart.
Bacon
Bacon provides the salty, smokey flavor in this dish. We also use the bacon grease to cook the onions and garlic, infusing more of its goodness into each ingredient.
Onion & Garlic
Onion and garlic add nice complimentary flavors to the cabbage and bacon. I use a yellow onion but use any kind that you prefer.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar contributes a tiny bit of sweetness while also providing an added element of flavor. Because brown sugar contains molasses, it gives the dish a bit more depth.
SALT, PEPPER, & Paprika
Salt, pepper, and paprika enhance the natural flavors in this recipe.
How to Prepare the Cabbage
Before we begin our dish, we need to core and shred the cabbage.
Wash
Rinse cabbage under cool water and pat dry. Remove and discard any damaged or wilted layers.
Core
With a sharp knife, cut the cabbage vertically in half. Then, cut vertically again through each half to create quarters. Cut the core out of each quarter and discard.
Shred
Using your sharp knife, slice the cabbage either vertically or horizontally to create shreds. Ready to go!
Process
The process for this recipe is very simple. First, core and shred the cabbage. Dice onion. Set both aside. In a deep skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5-6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a plate that has been covered with a few paper towels. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet.
Next, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the bacon grease. Cook over medium-high heat until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes. Toss in the shredded cabbage and stir to coat. Add in the brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until the cabbage is tender, about 6-7 minutes.
Finally, add the chopped bacon to the cabbage and cook for another 3 minutes or until everything is heated through. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm and enjoy!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store leftover cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Can I freeze fried cabbage?
Yes! Freezing is an excellent way to save your cabbage for a later date. Having already prepared and fried the cabbage, it is super easy to reheat and enjoy.
- After frying cabbage, let it cool completely.
- Place in a freezer bag and label it (name of food, date, etc.).
- Freeze for up to 5 months.
- When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat in a skillet on the stove or in the microwave. (I prefer the skillet method but the microwave will work in a pinch.)
Tips
- Chopped veggies – Try to keep your cuts as uniform as possible in order for the veggies to cook evenly.
My Preferred Tools
You may already have many of these items in your kitchen. I recommend the following for this recipe:
- Deep Skillet – to cook cabbage
- Sharp knife set – to chop ingredients
- Slotted spoon – to remove bacon while preserving drippings
- Cutting board – to chop ingredients
If you liked this recipe, try our
Fried Cabbage
This delicious Fried Cabbage features shredded cabbage cooked in bacon grease mixed with chopped bacon, onions, and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage, cored and shredded
- 6-8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp light brown sugar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions
- Step 1 Core and shred the cabbage. Dice onion. Set aside.
- Step 2 In a deep skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5-6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon to a plate that has been covered with a few paper towels. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Step 3 Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the bacon grease. Cook over medium-high heat until onions are translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4 Toss in shredded cabbage and stir to coat. Add in brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until the cabbage is tender, about 6-7 minutes.
- Step 5 Add the bacon to the cabbage and cook for another 3 minutes or until everything is heated through. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm and enjoy!
- Step 6 STORAGE: Store leftover cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
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Have a wonderful day!
