Fried Cabbage Receipe with Bacon
Updated Aug 10, 2025
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This fried cabbage recipe is a quick 20-minute side dish with smoky bacon, tangy apple cider vinegar, and crisp-tender cabbage that works with green, red, or purple varieties.
Fried purple cabbage adds a pop of color and sweetness, while fried red cabbage delivers a vibrant, tangy bite — all cooked in one skillet for minimal cleanup. I like to serve this with braised pork shoulder and this potato dumplings recipe. Even better, this fried cabbage recipe is easy to customize with garlic, onion, or smoked paprika.
🔍 Quick Look: Fried Cabbage Recipe (Green, Red, or Purple)
⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
🍳 Cook Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 20 minutes
👥 Servings: 4
📊 Calories: ~156 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
🔥 Cook Method: Crisp bacon in skillet, stir-fry sliced cabbage in reserved bacon fat with apple cider vinegar
🥬 Cabbage Options: ✅ Green (classic), ✅ Red (earthy), ✅ Purple (sweet, vibrant)
👩🍳 Flavor Profile: Savory, smoky, tangy with crisp-tender cabbage and salty bacon
⭐ Difficulty: Easy, one-skillet weeknight side dish
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Why You’ll Love This Fried Cabbage Recipe
- Versatile – Works with green, red, or purple cabbage.
- Fast & Easy – 20 minutes, one skillet, minimal cleanup.
- Flavorful – Bacon + vinegar = savory, smoky, tangy perfection.
- Customizable – Add onion, garlic, paprika, or mustard for variety.
- Meal Prep Friendly – Holds up well in the fridge.
- Serve it with almost any main dish. My favorite parings: Parmesan-crusted pork chops, Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon, and honey-soy crock pot chicken quarters.
Table of Contents
Main Ingredients
- 1 head cabbage (green, red, or purple – about 1 lb), cored & sliced
- 4 oz thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar for red/purple cabbage)
The secret ingredient to this amazing fried cabbage recipe is none other than bacon. We use this secret ingredient in our Traeger beef tenderloin, rigatoni mac and cheese, air fryer bacon-wrapped scallops, and many other delicious recipes.
Flavor Boost Options
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika or garlic powder
- 1 tsp Dijon or stone-ground mustard
How to Make Fried Cabbage
(See the complete recipe in the recipe card below.)
Start by slicing up about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of thick bacon. When it comes to bacon recipes, I will always lean toward adding more bacon vs. less. Don’t judge me.
Make the Bacon!
If using onion or garlic, sauté them in the bacon grease until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
We fry this bacon in a large skillet, but if you wonder how to cook bacon, we show another easy (and less messy) way to make bacon in the oven, with our oven-fried bacon. I love using my skillet for this recipe because it’s big enough to hold all of the ingredients and it is the perfect way of seasoning a skillet from the bacon fat.
After you have fried the bacon, remove it from the skillet and allow it to drain. You’ll want to reserve a couple of tablespoons of the bacon grease, for frying the cabbage.
Recipe Tip
My sister, Chef Kat, taught me how to drain bacon on brown paper bags many moons ago and it’s still how I do it today! This method of draining works great with donuts, too, and it’s a good way to use up your old grocery bags.
Next, you are going to cut the cabbage.
How to Cut Cabbage
While the bacon is draining, it’s time to cut the cabbage. We slice a cone-shaped hole around the core of the cabbage and then remove it. Once the core is out, make thin slices through the rest of the cabbage.
Stir Fry The Cabbage
Next, using the reserved bacon fat, you’re going to fry the cabbage in the hot skillet for about 6 to 8 minutes. Add a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the hot cabbage and give it an occasional stir until it is crisp-tender to the bite. The cider adds a little flavor and helps tenderize the fried cabbage.
Stir in some salt and pepper to taste. I always recommend fresh ground black pepper and Kosher salt, which has larger grains.
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Now, transfer the fried cabbage to a serving dish, top it with the bacon, and crown it with a beautiful sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley leaves.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this fried cabbage recipe is that you can make it by using what you have on hand. You can even use different colors of cabbage when frying it.
- Use some sweet or smoked sausage instead of bacon.
- Add a touch of cajun seasoning for just a hint of heat.
- Add a little sugar or another sweetener (maple syrup is great with this fried cabbage!)
- Make this cabbage stir fry keto-friendly by using Natvia or Swerve.
Fried Cabbage Color Variations
| Variety | Flavor | Best Uses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Mild, classic | Everyday side dishes | Stays tender without losing color |
| Red | Earthy, slightly peppery | Holiday plates, vinegar-based dishes | Turns bluish if no acid is added |
| Purple | Sweet, vibrant | Presentation-focused meals | Keep heat moderate to preserve color |
Serving Ideas
Fried purple cabbage goes well with many main dishes and common side dishes, so it’s a great thing to have on the table. It goes well with French Laundry chicken, pork tenderloin with fennel, Polish Dumplings, and even homemade crusty bread.
This fried cabbage recipe is also a perfect side dish as part of a St. Patrick’s Day spread.
Expert Tips for Making Fried Cabbage
- Don’t let the pan get too full, and stir it every now and then, not all the time.
- To keep the purple/red color, add a little vinegar or lemon juice early in the cooking process.
- Layer the flavors by sautéing the aromatics before adding the cabbage to make it deeper.
- For a crispier texture, cook on medium-high heat until the edges are lightly caramelized.
Storage and Reheating
| Method | Duration | Reheat |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge | 4–5 days | Microwave or quick skillet sauté |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months | Thaw overnight, reheat in skillet |
Recipe Questions and Answers
Yes, purple cabbage makes things sweeter and more colorful. Adding a touch of vinegar will help keep it bright and vibrant, giving your table an extra “pop!”
Yes, use butter or olive oil to add some richness and some optional smoked paprika to give it a bacon-like flavor.
A quick sauté in a skillet keeps the texture best, but the microwave is faster
More Ways to Use Cabbage
Polish Recipes
Golumpki Recipe (Polish Stuffed Cabbage)
Common Side Dishes
Savory Cabbage and Bacon with Onion
Casserole recipes
Cabbage Roll Casserole
Soups
Golumpki Soup
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Fried Cabbage Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe, Friend?
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Ingredients
- 1 head Cabbage, about 1 pound
- 4 oz Bacon, thick-cut, sliced and fried.
- 3 tbsp Apple cider vinegar, (that’s the dark vinegar!)
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley Leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Use a large skillet to fry chopped bacon, over medium-high heat. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon to paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease and keep the skillet hot.
- Core a head of cabbage, slice the leaves and then place in the hot skillet. Stir until crisp-tender, add vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Remove fried cabbage to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with bacon and parsley and serve.
Notes
2. When cooking red or purple cabbage, add vinegar early to keep its bright color.
3. To add more flavor, sauté onion or garlic in the bacon drippings before adding the cabbage.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Lovely & delicious. My weekend is going to be so special I can imagine. Thanks a lot.
Fried cabbage is sooo darn good and easy to make. I usually use green cabbage, but I’m going to love switching it up with your recipe! GORGEOUS photos!
Thanks for the comments, Sandra! I hope you try this fried cabbage recipe soon!
I have never seen a more colorful and gorgeous bowl of fried cabbage!!
I love cabbage as a side dish even though my family says it smells weird when I cook it but I make it and I love it with crispy bacon!!
This sounds like such a tasty side dish! I love the pop of color!
Delicious! What a tasty meal, it looks so good!! But that salad – bright, beautiful and tangy – it has everything going on!
I love homemade fried cabbage. Love that you used red cabbage in your recipe
Such a simple and tasty dish! Definitely a side dish that goes well with so many things. Pinning it to make it next week.
We’re having our Annual Oktoberfest Party next weekend and I will definitely be making this as one of the side dishes! Love how pretty it is and how it fits with the rest of the German Foods Im serving!