Southern Fried Cabbage

Southern fried cabbage is cooked in a hot skillet until tender with golden, caramelized edges and savory bacon drippings. Finished with apple cider vinegar for a bright, warm side dish.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Southern American

Calories: 210

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

bacon

6 slices bacon

yellow onion

1 medium yellow onion

green cabbage

1 medium head green cabbage

garlic

2 cloves garlic

butter

2 tbsp butter

salt

1 tsp salt

black pepper

0.5 tsp black pepper

red pepper flakes

0.25 tsp red pepper flakes

sugar

1 tsp sugar

apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Equipment

1 cast iron skillet

Method

Fry the bacon and build the base

Cook the bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat for 8 minutes until crisp, then remove it and leave the drippings in the skillet.

Soften onion and bloom garlic

Add the onion to the hot drippings and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to lightly bloom its aroma.

Fry the cabbage until caramelized

Add the cabbage, butter, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar to the skillet and toss to coat.
Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and caramelized at the edges.

Finish and serve

Stir in the apple cider vinegar and let it simmer briefly, then fold in the crispy bacon until evenly combined.
Serve the southern fried cabbage warm with a final look for golden, crisped edges.

Notes

For the best golden edges, avoid constant stirring—stir only occasionally so the cabbage can brown against the hot skillet. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days in an airtight container. Freezing isn’t recommended because cabbage texture softens. If you want a lighter option, use turkey bacon in the same amount and keep the drippings for flavor.