Fried cabbage with bacon onion and garlic

When it comes to a delicious side dish this fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion is one you are going to want to try. Salty flavours from the bacon combined with that distinctive garlic flavour you just can’t go wrong. 

Bowl of fried cabbage with pieces of fried bacon and fried onion mixed in.

Why you should try this recipe

Cabbage is underrated. Often associated with being boiled until there is no flavour left it isn’t always the first choice when it comes to side dishes. But fried cabbage is a game changer and adding bacon, garlic and onion into the mix takes it to another level. It is so easy to make this delicious side dish, and frying the cabbage adds to the flavour. 

This is the perfect dish that you could enjoy with so many meals. The perfect side dish for your roast dinner on a Sunday, a flavoursome accompaniment for your next BBQ, or any grilled meat or fish. I have some variations and serving suggestions later in this post. So, if you want to make this fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion at home, here is everything you need to know. 

Head of white cabbage raw with bowls of fried bacon, red onion diced, garlic and butter.

Ingredients needed to make the fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion

First of all, it is a good idea to ensure that you can get all of the ingredients together. Focusing on this first means that the cooking process will be simple. You will need:

  • 4 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped 
  • 3 tablespoons butter 
  • 1 onion, diced 
  • 3 tablespoons garlic, minced 
  • 1 head of cabbage, cut into chunks 
  • Salt & pepper to taste 
Bowl of fried cabbage with pieces of fried bacon and fried onion mixed in.

How to make the fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion

Now that you have all your ingredients to hand it is time to make the fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion. 

The first thing you will want to do is cook the bacon until crispy. Then chop and set aside until you need it. 

8 bacon rashers spread out.

In a large skillet, cook the onion in melted butter until they are nice and soft. 

Next up, add the garlic and cook for one minute. 

a skillet containing melted butter which is bubbling with part fried onion and garlic.

Add the cabbage and stir to coat it in butter and cook for 10-15 minutes. 

Make sure you season with salt and pepper. 

Last of all, top with bacon and then serve immediately. Enjoy!  

Bowl of fried cabbage with pieces of fried bacon and fried onion mixed in.

Enjoying this recipe on a diet

If you are following Slimming World or another diet then a few tips I would advise are, to use bacon with all fat trimmed off, use Frylight or another low-calorie cooking spray instead of butter, and ensure you have plenty of vegetables as part of your meal, including this cabbage!

Making a few changes like this might mean you have enough syns or calories left for a nice dessert, a cocktail or perhaps you would fancy trying this Starbucks Eggnog Latte Recipe.

Recipe notes and tips

When it comes to any recipe, it is always a good idea to understand what notes and tips you can use to help you fully utilise the recipe and have success every time. If you want to make the most out of this delicious fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion then here are some recipe notes and tips to help.

  • The butter helps to soften the onion for this recipe but you could use olive oil if needed. Just keep an eye on it so that the onion doesn’t burn. 
  • A large skillet works well for this recipe, but you could use a large frying pan or even a large pot will work just as well. 
  • Make sure you cook the bacon ahead of time so it is nice and crispy. You can also cook the bacon with the onions but it won’t have that same texture.
cast iron skillets

Variations to try

Like with a lot of recipes, once you have tried them out a few times, you can look to make some changes and vary the recipe to suit your tastes and preferences. So I wanted to share with you some of them that you might want to try. 

  • You could add some other vegetables to this side dish. Sliced Brussel sprouts, frozen garden peas, and even other types of cabbage will all work really well. 
  • You could make this a bit more substantial by adding a packet of ready-cooked rice. It will create a sort of fried rice dish instead, but tastes amazing and is a speedy midweek meal. 
  • Add some cooked ham or cooked chicken instead to this dish at the same time you would add the cooked bacon. It will give it a different flavour. 
  • Add extra seasonings. Cajun spices work well with bacon and cabbage. 
Cooked chicken strips.

FAQs

Like with any recipe, there are often questions that need answering. I thought I would share some of the common questions here, but if you have any comments or questions please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

How should I serve the fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion?

This is the perfect side dish for all sorts of meals. Personally, I think it works well with a Sunday roast dinner. It will also be the perfect dish to serve up with a BBQ. It will be very nice with grilled fish or meat. 

How do I store the fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion?

This is a dish that is best served immediately. You can allow it to cool and add it to an airtight container. You can then store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat by putting it back on the hob in your skillet or frying pan. 

Can you make this a veggie dish? 

Sure you can! Just omit the bacon. You could add some paprika and salt to substitute for the bacon flavours. Add some extra veggies if you wish. There are some great suggestions above. 

I hope you enjoy making and eating your fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion. 

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bowl of fried cabbage with fried bacon and onion mixed in.

Fried cabbage with bacon onion and garlic

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  • Author: Jen Mellor
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 4 portions as a side dish or one as a meal. 1x
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Hob
  • Cuisine: British

Description

When it comes to a delicious side dish this fried cabbage with bacon, garlic, and onion is one you are going to want to try. Salty flavours from the bacon combined with that distinctive garlic flavour you just can’t go wrong.


Ingredients

Scale

4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped

3 tablespoons butter

1 onion, diced

3 tablespoons garlic, minced

1 head cabbage, cut into chunks

Salt & pepper to taste


Instructions

The first thing you will want to do is cook the bacon until crispy or however, you prefer your bacon. Then chop and set aside until you need it. 

In a large skillet cook the onion in melted butter until they are nice and soft. 

Next up, add the garlic and cook for one minute. 

Add the cabbage and stir to coat it in butter and cook for 10-15 minutes. 

Make sure you season with salt and pepper. 

Last of all, top with bacon and then serve immediately. Enjoy!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: a side dish
  • Calories: 302
  • Sugar: 12.4 g
  • Sodium: 855.3 mg
  • Fat: 20.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9.2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25.9 g
  • Protein: 8.4 g

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