Skillet Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Fried cabbage and bacon is one of those one-pan recipes that proves simple ingredients can make an incredible meal in about 30 minutes with little effort or clean up. This recipe is hearty enough to serve as dinner on its own, but it’s equally good as a side dish.
If you enjoy simple and rustic budget recipes, don’t miss my Red Cabbage Soup with Bacon, Haluski (Fried Cabbage and Noodles), German Braised Red Cabbage, or Ukrainian Borscht.
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Why You Should Make This
Ingredients Notes
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Use a different cabbage: Savoy or red cabbage both work well. Red cabbage will give the finished dish a deeper color.
- Try different fruit or omit it entirely: Pears are an excellent substitute if you don’t have apples.
- Add sausage: Smoked kielbasa, Polish sausage, or smoked bratwurst turn this into an even heartier meal.
- Add potato: sliced or finely diced potatoes make this an even heartier and more filling meal.
The full ingredient list with quantities is in the recipe card below.
Recipe Instructions & Process Photos
Step 1:
Prepare your ingredients before you begin cooking. Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces, dice the onion, mince the garlic, core and thinly slice the apple, and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 2:
Carefully drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet. Leave a little more if you prefer a richer dish. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Step 3:
Add the sliced apples and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
Step 4:
Add the cabbage and season with salt and black pepper. Stir well to coat the cabbage in the bacon grease. Cover the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove the lid and continue cooking for another 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is softened but still has a slight crunch.
Steps 5-6:
Return the bacon to the skillet and stir everything together. Taste for salt, add pepper as you will, and adjust any seasoning. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until heated through, then serve immediately.
Serve this over mashed potatoes, with Spaetzle Noodles, Homemade Egg Noodles, or thinly sliced and fried sausage like kielbasa. If you love sauerkraut, try my Bratwurst Sausage and Sauerkraut and German Sauerkraut. It also pairs very well with Rouladen Beef Rolls and Schnitzel when eaten as a side dish.
Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Equipment
- Skillet
- Chef's Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 lbs thick-cut bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 head cabbage about 8 cups, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 1 large apple thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- salt and peppe to taste, if required
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, core and thinly slice the apple, and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.1 lbs thick-cut bacon
- Drain the grease: Carefully drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet. Or leave it all for a richer dish.
- Cook the aromatics: Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.1 medium yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic
- Cook the apples: Add the sliced apples to the onion and garlic mixture and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.1 large apple
- Cook the cabbage: Add the cabbage and season with salt and black pepper. Stir well to coat it in the bacon grease. Cover the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove the lid and continue cooking for another 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is softened but still has a slight crunch.1 head cabbage
- Finish the dish: Return the bacon to the skillet and stir to combine. Taste for salt and add more if required, add pepper if desired. Cook for 2–3 minutes, just until everything is heated through.salt and peppe to taste, if required
- Serve: Enjoy immediately as a hearty main dish or serve alongside smoked sausage, Polish sausage, and crusty bread. A few dashes of hot sauce are also nice.
Notes
- Bacon grease: Leave more in the skillet for a richer dish, or drain most of it for a lighter version.
- Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith all work well. Pears are another delicious option.
- Cabbage: Green, Savoy, or red cabbage can all be used.
Make ahead: This recipe reheats beautifully and is perfect for meal prep. - Serving ideas: Great on its own or with smoked sausage, Polish sausage, roast pork, or crusty bread.
- My favorite: I almost always add a few dashes of Tabasco just before serving. The vinegar and heat balance the richness of the bacon perfectly.
