Fried Cabbage Bacon Onions (Print View)

Cabbage, bacon, and onions blend into a smoky, golden side perfect for comfort-food lovers.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 6 slices bacon

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)
03 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
08 - Pinch red pepper flakes, optional

→ Fats

09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan; discard excess.
02 - Add sliced onions to the skillet. Sauté in bacon fat over medium heat until translucent and starting to caramelize, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Stir in the chopped cabbage. Sauté, turning frequently, until the cabbage begins to soften and reduce in volume, about 8 to 10 minutes.
04 - Add salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes if desired. Stir to combine and evenly coat the vegetables.
05 - Crumble the cooked bacon and return it to the skillet. If desired, add the butter for extra richness. Continue to cook until the cabbage is tender and the edges are lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Serve immediately as a hot side dish or alongside hearty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of bacon fat and onion makes the whole kitchen smell like a feast waiting to happen.
  • It's ready in under half an hour with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
02 -
  • If you don’t watch the garlic closely, it can turn bitter almost instantly—stir constantly once it's in.
  • Letting the cabbage sit untouched now and then gives you those coveted caramelized bits, which make the whole dish more satisfying.
03 -
  • Reserve a little of the cooked bacon for sprinkling on top just before serving so it stays crisp.
  • Adding a small pat of butter at the finish really unlocks that Southern comfort flavor, especially if you let it melt right before serving.
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