Southern Cabbage and Bacon Skillet
Few dishes capture the soul of Southern comfort cooking quite like a skillet full of Cabbage and Bacon. Simple, smoky, and deeply satisfying, it’s the kind of recipe that turns a few humble ingredients into something that tastes like it’s been passed down through generations.
The magic happens in one pan — where crisp bacon renders its flavorful fat, onions slowly caramelize, and cabbage softens into silky, golden perfection. The combination of textures and flavors hits every note: smoky, buttery, slightly sweet, and perfectly seasoned. Whether you serve it as a hearty side or the star of your table, this skillet is Southern cooking at its easiest and most comforting.
It’s the kind of dish that fits any mood — weeknight quick fix, Sunday supper, or even part of a holiday spread. With just minutes of prep and a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a skillet that fills your kitchen with an irresistible, savory aroma that brings everyone to the table.
Ingredients for Southern Cabbage and Bacon Skillet
Each ingredient here plays a role in layering flavor, from the smoky richness of bacon to the sweetness of onions and the mild bite of tender cabbage.
- Thick-cut bacon – Renders savory drippings and gives the dish its smoky backbone.
- Yellow onion – Adds natural sweetness that balances the saltiness of the bacon.
- Green cabbage – Tender, mild, and perfect for soaking up all those delicious pan flavors.
- Butter – Adds richness and rounds out the sharpness of the cabbage.
- Garlic powder – Brings a gentle depth of flavor without overpowering.
- Smoked paprika – Optional but enhances the smokiness of the bacon and gives beautiful color.
- Salt and black pepper – Simple seasoning that ties everything together.
- Apple cider vinegar – A splash at the end brightens the dish and cuts through the richness.
How to Make Southern Cabbage and Bacon Skillet
STEP 1 – Cook the Bacon
Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet or Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until crispy and golden, about 7–9 minutes. As the bacon renders, it releases flavorful drippings that form the base of the dish. Once crisp, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon pieces and set them aside, leaving all that liquid gold — the bacon fat — in the pan.
STEP 2 – Sauté the Onion
Add the sliced onion directly into the warm bacon drippings. Let it cook slowly over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it softens and turns lightly golden. The onions should take on a bit of color and sweetness, which adds richness to the final dish.
STEP 3 – Add the Cabbage
Stir in the chopped cabbage and toss to coat it in the bacon fat and softened onions. At first, it might seem like too much cabbage, but it quickly wilts down as it cooks. Stir often for about 10–12 minutes until it shrinks in volume and starts to pick up little golden spots from the pan. That light caramelization is what gives the cabbage its signature depth of flavor.
STEP 4 – Season and Finish Cooking
Add the butter to the skillet, letting it melt into the cabbage. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, smoked paprika if you’re using it, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Continue to cook for another 5–10 minutes until the cabbage is tender and glistening with a buttery sheen. The flavor should be balanced — smoky, savory, and just a touch sweet.
STEP 5 – Add Bacon and Vinegar
Return the crispy bacon to the skillet and stir it through the cabbage mixture so that every bite has a little crunch and smokiness. If you’d like, finish with a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness and contrast. Let it cook for one more minute to blend the flavors, then remove from heat.
STEP 6 – Serve Hot
Serve your Southern Cabbage and Bacon Skillet straight from the pan while it’s hot and fragrant. It’s delicious on its own, but it also makes a perfect side dish to fried chicken, pork chops, or even roasted potatoes.
Can I Use Red Cabbage Instead of Green?
You can, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different. Red cabbage holds up well to heat and adds a deeper, earthy sweetness to the dish. It also gives the skillet a gorgeous color, especially when paired with golden onions and bacon. Just note that red cabbage can take a few extra minutes to soften completely.
What’s the Best Way to Cut Cabbage for Frying?
Quarter the cabbage, remove the tough core, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Aim for medium-sized chunks — too thin and they’ll become mushy, too thick and they won’t soften evenly. Keeping the pieces roughly uniform ensures they cook at the same rate and absorb all that smoky bacon flavor evenly.
Can I Add Other Vegetables?
Definitely. While cabbage is the star, a handful of sliced bell peppers, carrots, or even shredded Brussels sprouts fit right in. They bring color and a touch of sweetness that complements the bacon beautifully. Just remember to add harder vegetables like carrots first, giving them a few minutes before adding the cabbage.
How Do I Make It Vegetarian?
You can make a delicious meat-free version by skipping the bacon and using butter or olive oil instead. Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of liquid smoke to mimic that Southern smoky note. You’ll still get rich flavor and beautiful caramelization from the onions and cabbage alone.
Helpful Tips
- Render bacon slowly: Start on medium heat to crisp the bacon without burning it.
- Don’t rush the onions: Letting them caramelize builds depth and sweetness.
- Finish with acid: A splash of apple cider vinegar balances the richness perfectly.
Serving Ideas for Southern Cabbage and Bacon Skillet
This dish fits just about anywhere on the table. Serve it with cornbread and fried chicken for a traditional Southern dinner, or spoon it over mashed potatoes for a cozy one-pan meal. It’s also fantastic next to grilled sausage or even tucked into a sandwich for something unexpectedly hearty.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a small pat of butter to revive the shine and flavor. You can also reheat in the microwave for a quick fix, though the stovetop keeps the texture better. The flavors deepen after a day, making it even tastier the next time around.
Southern Cabbage and Bacon Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoons plain unsalted butter
- 1 –2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar optional for acidity
- Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to taste
- 6 strips thick bacon chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional for depth
- 1 medium green cabbage approximately 2 pounds, cored and coarsely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion finely sliced
Instructions
- Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the diced bacon. Cook until the fat renders and the bacon becomes crisp, around 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Into the reserved bacon drippings, add the thinly sliced onion. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring intermittently, until it softens and begins to take on a golden hue.
- Introduce the chopped cabbage to the skillet. Cook uncovered for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure even wilting and caramelization.
- Once the cabbage has reduced in volume and begun to brown slightly, incorporate the butter, garlic powder, smoked paprika if using, and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings. Continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cabbage is fully tender with caramelized edges.
- Return the crisp bacon pieces to the skillet. If desired, drizzle in the apple cider vinegar and stir for a final minute to meld the flavors.
- Serve hot as a side dish or main entrée.