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
Nancy Fairchild says
Tried this with chorizo instead of bacon and no hot sauce. Amazing!
Tania Sheff says
Awesome! Thanks, Nancy!
Alexis Abdullah says
Followed this recipe today…It taste exactly how I imagined it would (Delicious 😋) ! Thank you!
Tania Sheff says
Thank you so much, Alexis!
Laurie says
We loved it!
Tania Sheff says
Great! Thanks, Laurie!
Kim says
I cook this often, only instead of adding plain h2o ...I add chicken broth. Its always delicious. Thank you for your great skill & willingness to share it with the world.
Tania Sheff says
That's great! Thank you so much for reporting back, Kim!
Raeann says
I made this for my husband and I. He absolutely loved it. It was spicey but tasty, I used more hot sauce and pepper flakes, I will definitely be making this again. Very yummy..
Tania Sheff says
Thank you so much, Raeann! I am glad you enjoyed it!