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Southern Fried Cabbage

Southern fried cabbage with tender, caramelized edges and crispy bacon. Skillet-cooked until soft and golden, then finished with apple cider vinegar for bright, savory balance.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Southern Fried Cabbage
  • 6 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 yellow onion medium, sliced
  • 1 green cabbage medium head, cored and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Fry the bacon
  1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 8 minutes, until crisp. Remove the bacon and leave the drippings in the skillet.
Sauté onion and garlic
  1. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Caramelize the cabbage
  1. Add the cabbage, butter, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar to the skillet. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and caramelized at the edges.
Finish and serve
  1. Stir in the apple cider vinegar and the crispy bacon. Serve warm.

Notes

Pro tip: keep stirring only occasionally during the final 12-15 minutes so you get browned, caramelized edges instead of steaming. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet until hot. Freezing isn’t recommended because cabbage texture softens. For a lighter option, use turkey bacon and reduce the butter by half.