Southern Fried Cabbage is a comfort food side dish elevated by the combination of crispy bacon, smoked sausage, and a medley of seasonings. Serve it alongside your favorite main for a simple, satisfying, and flavorful meal.
This Southern fried cabbage recipe features sautéed cabbage made with rendered bacon, juicy smoked sausage, and various seasonings, delivering a smoky, meaty flavor that’s downright irresistible.
What I love most about this dish, apart from it being downright delicious, is that it’s a game-changer for busy weeknights. Unlike our (boiled) Southern cabbage recipe, which is basically cabbage and smoked turkey simmered in a highly seasoned broth, this pan-fried rendition is a quick fix that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Although Southern fried cabbage wasn’t a part of my childhood, it’s been a staple in Marrekus’ family for as long as he can remember. So whether you’re nostalgic for the classics or discovering this down south gem for the first time, grab some cabbage, bacon, and smoked sausage—let’s dive into a plateful of soul food that’s as easy as it is tasty.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients
- Green cabbage
- Bacon
- Smoked sausage
- Chicken bouillon powder
- Granulated garlic
- Granulated onion
- Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- Ground black pepper
Note: When it comes to choosing the perfect smoked sausage for your Southern fried cabbage, the options are diverse, each bringing its own unique flavor to the table. Traditional choices like beef smoked sausage add a familiar and savory touch, while those seeking a bit of spice might opt for andouille for a Cajun-inspired kick. If you’re leaning towards a lighter option, chicken sausage can impart a slightly milder flavor. Whether you prefer a smoky, spicy, or mild profile, the smoked sausage you select will undoubtedly play a key role in defining the taste.
Recipe SUBSTITUTIONS and variations
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the bacon and sausage, and instead, use olive oil or butter for sautéing. Add in vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
- Spicy Kick: Incorporate red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to give the dish some heat.
- Cajun Style: Use Cajun seasoning and Andouille sausage for a spicier, Louisiana-inspired flavor.
Tools you’ll need
To prepare this Southern Fried Cabbage recipe, you’ll need the following special equipment and tools:
How to make
Toss your bacon in a large heavy-bottomed pot or pan on medium heat and cook until it’s nice and crispy. Take it out and set it aside for later.
Throw in your sausage and let it cook to your desired doneness; for us it was about 5 minutes. Once it’s finished, take it out and set it with the bacon.
Now, get rid of that excess oil from the pot, but save about 2 tablespoons. We’re gonna need that to cook the cabbage. Put that reserved 2 tablespoons of oil back in the pot.
Time to add the cabbage! Cook it down for a couple of minutes until it reduces in volume and softens. Give it a good stir, then sprinkle in your seasonings.
Let it sauté in the pot for 5 to 7 minutes more on medium heat, or until it’s reached your desired doneness. Fried cabbage should be tender but still have a bit of bite to it. Then, add the cooked bacon and sausage back to the pot and stir it together until fully incorporated. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Slice Cabbage Evenly: To ensure even cooking, try to slice or chop the cabbage into uniform pieces. This helps in achieving a consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Crispy Bacon: For extra flavor, cook the bacon until it’s crispy. This not only adds a delightful crunch but also infuses the dish with the rich, smoky essence of well-cooked bacon.
- Experiment with Seasonings: Don’t hesitate to play with the seasonings. Add spices like paprika or cayenne for a personalized touch.
- Serve Immediately: As mentioned before, serve the Southern fried cabbage immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and flavors. If needed, keep it warm in a low-temperature oven until ready to serve.
- Adjust Seasonings at the End: Taste the dish before serving and adjust seasonings if necessary. Sometimes a touch of salt or pepper at the end can make a big difference.
What to serve with Southern fried cabbage
- Fried Chicken: The classic combination of fried chicken and fried cabbage is a Southern favorite.
- Barbecue Ribs: The smoky flavors of barbecue ribs pair nicely with fried cabbage.
- Southern Cornbread: Our soul food cornbread recipe is easy to follow and yields a moist, tender crumb.
- Sweet Potato Cornbread: This sweet potato cornbread is perfectly moist and flavorful, made with fresh, mashed sweet potatoes, a touch of cinnamon, and the magic of beaten egg whites.
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese: The cheesy goodness of baked macaroni and cheese pairs well with the savory notes of fried cabbage.
- Fried Catfish: This is a Southern-style meal that captures the essence of comfort food.
- Grilled or Smoked Meat: Serve alongside grilled or smoked meats such as pork chops or beef ribs.
FAQ
How should I chop the cabbage for frying?
How can I avoid the cabbage becoming too soggy?
What other seasonings are recommended for Southern fried cabbage?
Summary
Fried cabbage is a comfort food dish featuring bacon, smoked sausage, and a medley of seasonings. With its simplicity and versatility, this recipe promises a taste of Southern hospitality and is an inviting addition to any meal!
Southern Fried Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cabbage about 16 cups roughly chopped
- 6 ounces bacon chopped (about 6 slices)
- 12 ounces smoked sausage sliced
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt start with less and adjust to taste if using any other type of salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Render chopped bacon over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Once golden brown and crispy, remove the bacon and set it aside.
- Add sliced sausage to pot and cook until browned and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside with bacon.
- Drain excess oil from the pot, reserving 2 tablespoons.
- Return the reserved 2 tablespoons oil to the pot.
- Add chopped cabbage and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until it reduces in volume and softens.
- Stir in chicken bouillon powder, granulated garlic, granulated onion, salt, and pepper.
- Continue to sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until cabbage is tender but still has a bit of bite to it, or to the desired doneness.
- Return cooked bacon and sausage to the pot and stir until fully incorporated.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
There is a classic southern restaurant in downtown Nashville where we go regularly. “Southern Fried Cabbage” is always our “must-order item” every time we go. They are SO SO delicious! Now I know how to make it at home. 🙂
We eat this comforting side dish a couple of times a month during the winter… the cabbage absorbs the delicious bacon and sausage flavour and it’s so quick and easy to make.
Such a great fried cabbage recipe. I served it with baked ribs but really I could just eat it on its own!
Omg! This is my new go-to side dish! So easy to make and it’s so flavorful!
Scuh a simple meal but so good! Perfect for when you’re on a budget!
It is amazing how much bacon goes with cabbage. Adding the sausage was genius. We loved this recipe, and it will be a staple now. Thank you.
Really good! This is my kind of comfort food. Delicious cabbage recipe all around. Thank you so much!
I have made this recipe using Polish sausages and it was absolutely delicious. I want to make it again, no doubt.
I love cabbage, and I’m always looking for new recipes to try out. When I found yours, everything sounded so delicious that I gave it a try. I came to report that it was such a delicious bite that I already wrote the ingredients in my shopping list to make it again. Easy to make and very flavourful.
Lip smackin delicious. Everyone loved it and I cooked 2 heads of cabbage with everything you said to put in like a double batch. This dis was gone so fast, I do mean fast that not everyone got some of it. People were eating it like a main dish by the plateful If this isn’t a way to show how great your recipes is. I don’t know what is. I make it all the time now….