Big flavor meets simple comfort in this fried cabbage with bacon recipe using just a handful of ingredients.

Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Cabbage, onion, and garlic are cooked in bacon grease, along with a touch of apple cider vinegar, for smoky, tangy, and savory goodness in every bite.
- Budget Tip: Cabbage has always been my go-to budget-friendly ingredient, stretching meals without ever skimping on flavor.
- Skill Level: This easy, no-fuss recipe is perfect for any skill level. I’ve been making it for years because it’s always reliably delicious.
- Serving suggestions: I love serving this alongside grilled or roasted meats, like pan-seared pork chops or salmon, for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal.

Pantry Staple Ingredients
- Cabbage & Onions: Use a firm head of green cabbage. Yellow or white cooking onions are pleasantly pungent and are the best choice for this dish.
- Bacon: Any variety of cured pork, beef, or turkey bacon will give this dish its signature smoky taste. Add in or substitute chorizo, leftover ham, or sausage if you prefer.
- Garlic & Seasonings: Use fresh chopped or crushed garlic cloves for the best flavor, or garlic powder if that’s all you have. Add herbal notes with a garlic herb blend, a touch of heat with southwest seasoning, or deepen the flavor with smoked paprika.



How to Make Fried Cabbage With Bacon
- Fry bacon and set aside, reserving some of the drippings (full recipe below).
- In the same pan, cook the onion and garlic.
- Add cabbage to the pan, cover, and cook.
- Stir in cider vinegar and bacon.
Holly’s Tips for Perfect Texture
- Chop cabbage into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- To save time, use a bag of preshredded cabbage. The cooking time may need to be reduced.
- Keep the lid handy. Covering the cabbage while it cooks will help steam and moisten it. If the cabbage seems a little dry while cooking, add a splash of broth.
- Fry the cabbage and onion a bit longer to caramelize the edges. Uncover the pan near the end to help cabbage become extra brown.

How to Store and Reheat
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Skillet cabbage freezes well. Store in a freezer container or freezer bags for 8-9 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave (short bursts until it is warmed through).
- Leftovers are great served with morning eggs or tossed into low-carb bowls.
Cozy Low Carb Sides
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Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups cabbage chopped in 1" pieces
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a 12" skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon and set on a paper towel lined plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium and add onion to the pan. Cook until onion is softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add cabbage, cover and cook stirring occasionally until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar and add bacon back to pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Chop cabbage into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Leftovers may be kept in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 4 days.
- Fried cabbage with bacon can be stored in the freezer, in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 8-9 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Leftovers can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Tried this recipe last night. My husband LOVED it and the kids liked it too. Win! Win! We didn’t have much for left overs, but my husband did scam those this morning for breakfast and said it was still amazing. We had it with burgers and I thought is was a good pairing.
So happy to hear that Jenny! Glad everyone loved it!