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easy southern fried cabbage with bacon and onions

Easy Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions

This Easy Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions is a comforting, flavorful side dish made with crispy bacon, tender cabbage, and a tangy mustard sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a Southern classic that pairs perfectly with any meal!
5 from 1 vote
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Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Servings 6
Calories 166 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon chopped
  • 2 cups diced yellow onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 1 head cabbage sliced/stem removed
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Cook the Bacon:

  • Add chopped bacon to a large deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Cook for 6-8 minutes, until browned and crispy.
  • Remove the bacon pieces and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain most of the grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.

Sauté the Onions:

  • Add diced onions to the pan and stir to incorporate with the bacon grease.
  • Cook for 4-6 minutes, until the onions are tender.

Add Garlic:

  • Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.

Cook the Cabbage:

  • Add butter, sliced cabbage, and a light sprinkle of salt and pepper to the pan.
  • Stir well to coat the cabbage in the butter and seasonings. Cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Incorporate Remaining Ingredients:

  • Add the Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and cooked bacon back to the pan.
  • Stir to combine, and continue cooking for 6-9 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and caramelized.

Adjust Seasonings:

  • Taste and add more salt, pepper, mustard, or brown sugar as needed to adjust the seasoning to your preference.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  • Gluten-Free: Ensure your Dijon mustard is certified gluten-free (some brands may contain gluten as a stabilizer).
  • Dairy-Free: Swap with dairy-free butter or use olive oil, ghee (if not strictly vegan), or coconut oil.
  • Why Brown Sugar?: The addition of brown sugar not only balances the acidity of the Dijon mustard but also helps the cabbage to caramelize, enhancing its natural sweetness and creating beautifully browned edges.
  • Adjust Seasoning Last: The saltiness of the bacon can vary, so taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, or more mustard) once everything is cooked to prevent an overly salty dish.
  • Nutritional Information is an estimate only and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 13.2gProtein: 7.3gFat: 9.2gSaturated Fat: 4.4gFiber: 3.9gSugar: 6.5g
Keyword southern fried cabbage
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