Fried Cabbage with Bacon

5 from 3 votes

This is an easy-to-make, healthy recipe for fried cabbage with bacon. It's the perfect cabbage side dish or a delightful light meal on its own.

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 246kcal

Author: Adina

Ingredients

3.5 oz lean bacon 100 g, Note 1
1 tablespoon vegetable oil also Note 1
2 medium onions
3 garlic cloves
2 lbs white or green cabbage 1 kg
1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
½ teaspoon granulated sugar
½ teaspoon caraway seeds Note 2
1 medium tomato or 3 small ones
¾ cup vegetable broth 180 ml
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar + more to taste
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
small bunch of parsley

Instructions

Chop the cabbage and set it aside. Cut the bacon into cubes and slice the onions. Finely chop the garlic cloves. Keep the garlic separated from the bacon and onions.
2 lbs white or green cabbage/ 1kg + 3.5 oz lean bacon/ 100 g + 2 medium onions + 3 garlic cloves
Cook bacon: Heat the oil (only if using lean bacon) in a large skillet. Saute the bacon and the onions until the fat has rendered and the onion slices are golden. Pour out most of the rendered bacon fat, keeping only about 1-2 tablespoons of the fat.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil + bacon
Fry cabbage: Add the chopped garlic cloves to the pan and stir for 1-2 minutes. Add the chopped cabbage. It will seem like a lot, but the cabbage will wilt down after a few minutes of cooking time. Cover and cook for about 6-7, stirring well a few times in between.
Add the sweet paprika powder, sugar, caraway, some salt, and pepper. Stir well and add the finely chopped tomato and the vegetable broth. Cover the pan and saute for another 6-7 minutes or until the cabbage is almost done. You might want to cook the cabbage for a shorter or longer period of time, depending on your taste, the cabbage can remain crunchy or get even softer. But it should not become mushy.
1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder + ½ teaspoon granulated sugar + ½ teaspoon caraway seeds + 1 medium tomato + ¾ cup vegetable broth/ 180 ml
Adjust taste: Add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar. Stir well and cook the cabbage for another 4-5 minutes without the lid. Adjust the taste generously with more sea salt and pepper, balsamic vinegar, and a little sugar. The cabbage should taste slightly sweet and sour.
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar + fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Stir in the chopped parsley.
small bunch of parsley

Notes

Bacon: If using lean or turkey bacon, fry it in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. If using regular bacon, there is no need to add any oil to the pan, the bacon will render more than enough fat.

Nutrition