Hey, y'all! Many of you know that I was born and reared (as we say) in Appalachia. As such, Appalachian cooking is at the core of my being. I'm excited to share one of the recipes that I grew up on today, Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. It's a sinfully perfect side dish!
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon Ingredients
- 1 head of cabbage, washed and chopped
- ½ lb. bacon, save the grease for frying
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. red pepper flakes

How to Make Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
- Cut bacon into small pieces using a knife or kitchen shears (I prefer shears, as it is easier). Cook over medium heat until browned; remove bacon and reserve the grease.
- Wash and chop cabbage. Add cabbage to the bacon grease and season with sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix in the bacon grease, allowing all the cabbage to become coated.
- Cook until tender, roughly 10 minutes. Stir chopped bacon back into the cabbage. Serve warm + enjoy!

Pro Tips for Making this Recipe
- Adding sugar to fried cabbage is very southern - but, in my opinion, is necessary.
- Please do not get rid of the bacon grease -- it will flavor the cabbage. If there is too much grease, drain some after frying the cabbage.
- Cutting the bacon before frying will save you time - I like using my kitchen shears.

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon: Frequently Asked Questions
It typically takes about 10 minutes to fry cabbage (until tender) once added to the grease.
While butter is a perfectly good option, bacon grease is far superior and is more traditionally southern. Simply cook bacon that you will use in the recipe later on and reserve the grease in the skillet for frying!
I recommend eating your fried cabbage within a 2-3 day period when refrigerated.
Other Recipes You'll Love
- Colorful Black Eyed Pea Salad
- Hashbrown Casserole with Corn Flakes
- Oyster Sausage Stuffing
- Bacon Deviled Eggs

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 head of cabbage washed and chopped
- ½ lb. bacon save the grease for frying
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cut bacon into small pieces using a knife or kitchen shears (I prefer shears, as it is easier). Cook over medium heat until browned; remove bacon and reserve the grease.
- Wash and chop cabbage. Add cabbage to the bacon grease and season with sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix in the bacon grease, allowing all the cabbage to become coated.
- Cook until tender, roughly 10 minutes. Stir chopped bacon back into the cabbage. Serve warm + enjoy!
Notes
- Adding sugar to fried cabbage is very southern - but, in my opinion, is necessary.
- Please do not get rid of the bacon grease -- it will flavor the cabbage. If there is too much grease, drain some after frying the cabbage.
- Cutting the bacon before frying will save you time - I like using my kitchen shears.
Nutrition
Y'all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
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Winfrey Bates
Southern Fried Cabbage is the best!!!!