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My fried red cabbage recipe is a vibrant and flavorful side dish that combines tender red cabbage, sweet onions, crispy bacon, and a tangy touch of apple cider vinegar. It’s quick to make, packed with savory-sweet goodness, and perfect for any meal. Whether you’re serving it alongside hearty mains or enjoying it solo, this dish is sure to impress the family!
⭐ Fried Red Cabbage
Here are the ingredients you need for fried red cabbage:
- 4 cups thinly sliced red cabbage (about 15 ounces or 425g)
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- Finely chopped chives (optional, for garnish)
Get a printable recipe card below!
A cast iron pan is best for this recipe if you have one available. As you can see in the photos, I tested this recipe in other pans, and it still turns out well.
Cook the bacon in a cast iron pan over medium heat until done to your liking. Set the bacon aside on paper towels to drain, leaving 1½ tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
Add the cabbage and onion to the pan, stir. Add the rest of the ingredients except the bacon and chives. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the cabbage is soft. It will take approximately 8-10 minutes.
To serve, crumble the bacon on top and garnish with chopped chives. Enjoy!
This side dish is best served fresh so that the bacon stays crispy. You can make the seasoned cabbage and onions up to 3-4 days ahead (cook in olive oil) and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Don’t cook and crumble the bacon topping until right before serving.
Watch How to Make It!
Fried Red Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 15 ounces or 425g)
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- black pepper, to taste
- chives, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a cast iron pan over medium heat until done to your liking. Set the bacon aside on paper towels to drain, leaving 1½ tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the cabbage and onion to the pan, stir. Add the rest of the ingredients except the bacon and chives. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the cabbage is soft. It will take approximately 8-10 minutes.
- To serve, crumble the bacon on top and garnish with chopped chives.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Red cabbage is a low calorie, low carb vegetable that is packed with fiber. To bring the saturated fat in this side dish down even more, cook the cabbage in olive oil instead of the bacon fat. Nutrition information is for one serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
I hope you enjoy this easy and inexpensive side dish! 🙂