This Fried Cabbage recipe is insanely good! Made with bacon, onion, bell pepper, and a touch of hot sauce, it is easy to make, simple, and comes out perfect every time!

This is one of my favorite recipes ever! You just HAVE to try this Fried Cabbage, friends! All of the flavors work so well together, and the best part is that this dish requires minimum ingredients, minimum cleanup, and brings maximum flavor.
Why This is the Best Fried Cabbage Recipe
This Fried Cabbage recipe is going to become your favorite, because:
- IT'S SIMPLE. It's made with 4 ingredients (plus seasonings).
- IT'S EASY TO MAKE. You'll just need to roughly chop the veggies and bacon, and cook them together.
- IT'S MADE WITH BACON. Bacon adds a ton of flavor, and makes everything better!
- IT'S ONE POT. Almost no clean-up is required.
- IT'S ABSOLUTELY SCRUMPTIOUS. I just can't say enough about how tasty this Fried Cabbage is.
How to Select Cabbage
For this recipe, you'll need the regular green cabbage that is sold in almost every grocery store or supermarket. Select a medium-sized head that feels heavy for its size. The leaves should look crisp and fresh, without cracks or blemishes.
Here is some more info: How to Select and Store Cabbage
How to Make Fried Cabbage
1. In a large non-stick skillet, sauté the bacon, bell pepper, and onion over medium heat for 7 minutes.
2. Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and stir well.
3. Add the water and chopped cabbage to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 20-25 minutes, or until the water evaporates.*
4. Once the water evaporates, keep frying the cabbage for about 10 minutes.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the hot sauce. Serve.
* Some cabbage varieties cook faster than others. Adjust the cooking time, if necessary. If needed, add a little bit more water.
Please take a moment to leave your feedback, once you try this dish. I am so thrilled to hear how you enjoyed it! Thanks for sticking with me!
What to Serve with Fried Cabbage
This dish is wonderful on its own, but it will pair well with cooked rice, quinoa, couscous, and mashed potatoes.
Recipe Variations
- Use smoked sausage instead of bacon
- Use chicken sausage instead
- Add 1 tablespoon of BBQ Sauce
- Use 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
About the Bacon
You can use any type of bacon you prefer - regular, turkey or even vegan. Just remember that turkey bacon and vegan bacon are not oily enough, so you'll need to add additional oil or butter.
I bet you'll love these cabbage recipes also:
- Cabbage Sauteed with Chicken
- Cabbage Lasagna
- Cabbage with Ribs
- Skinny Cabbage Salad
- Sauteed Cabbage Recipe
- Easy Baked Cabbage
Video Tutorial
The Best Fried Cabbage
Ingredients
- 3 pork bacon strips thick-cut
- 1 medium cabbage head about 3 lbs., roughly chopped
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- ⅓ cup of water
- ¼ tbsp. red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp. hot sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet, sauté the bacon, bell pepper, and onion over medium heat for 7 minutes.
- Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and stir well.
- Add the water and chopped cabbage to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 20-25 minutes, or until the water evaporates.*
- Once the water evaporates, keep frying the cabbage for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the hot sauce. Serve.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Use smoked sausage instead of bacon
- Use chicken sausage instead
- Add 1 tablespoon of BBQ Sauce
- Use 1 tablespoon of tomato pasta
merridee says
i had some cooked noodles warmed them up and i served the fried cabbage over it, it was delicious no left overs.
Tania Sheff says
Perfect! Thanks, Merridee!
Carrie says
This looks delicious. I can't wait to try it. I love your blue pan. Do you know what brand and size it is?
Tania Sheff says
Hi Carrie! This is the one I have: https://amzn.to/4687iY4 (affiliate link) Happy cooking!
Elliott says
Made this tonight but omitted bacon to make it vegetarian. Instead, to up the umami, I added tomato paste after sauteing the onions and peppers, then a couple tablespoons of mushroom powder. Threw in a can of chick peas at the end for protein and made it a meal
Tania Sheff says
Sounds amazing, Elliott! Thank you for the feedback!
Linda Peacock says
This was very delicious! We try to have a meatless meal once a week (bacon doesn’t count😁) so I make fried cabbage often. This will definitely be my go to recipe. I did add a couple spoons of brown sugar which just it better.
Tania Sheff says
Thank you so much, Linda!
Tracy says
I made tonight ..added a handful of shredded carrots ..
And of course hot sauce ..schirracha 😋
Delish and thanks for recipe
Tania Sheff says
Thank you for the rating, Tracy!