Savory fried cabbage with crispy bacon, sweet onions, and a touch of tanginess from apple cider vinegar. A comforting and flavorful side dish or main course.
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:60 minutes
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
1 large head of green cabbage, about 2–3 pounds
8 ounces thick-cut bacon, diced
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil (or bacon fat reserved from cooking the bacon)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional garnish: fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Bacon: Dice the bacon into small pieces.
Cook the Bacon: Place the diced bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy and the fat has rendered (8-10 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet. If needed, add olive oil to make up the difference.
Cook the Onions: Add the sliced onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent (5-7 minutes).
Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the onions. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add Cabbage: Add the shredded cabbage to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir well to combine.
Season: Add the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar (if using), caraway seeds (if using), and smoked paprika to the skillet. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Cook the Cabbage: Cover the skillet and cook the cabbage over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly caramelized (20-30 minutes). If the cabbage starts to stick, add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to deglaze the pan.
Combine: Once the cabbage is cooked to your liking, stir in the crispy bacon.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use thick-cut bacon.
Thinly slice the onion for better caramelization.
Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the cabbage shreds and desired tenderness.
Deglaze the pan with water or chicken broth if the cabbage starts to stick.