Easy Fried Cabbage
A quick, 25-minute skillet dish with smoky beef bacon, caramelized onions, and a tangy stone ground mustard bite. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces beef bacon cut into 1-inch pieces for even cooking
- 1 whole small onion finely diced
- 3 whole garlic cloves freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons stone ground mustard substitute with Dijon mustard if needed
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 head green cabbage cored, thinly sliced, and chopped
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper freshly cracked, to taste
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add your one-inch beef bacon pieces and let them cook slowly until perfectly crispy and browned. Once done, remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about two tablespoons of rendered drippings in the pan.
- Toss your diced onion straight into those warm, flavorful drippings. Let it sizzle gently for two to three minutes, stirring frequently, until soft and just starting to turn translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic, stone ground mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together well so the spices coat the onions evenly. Let this fragrant mixture cook for about thirty seconds.
- Add all of your sliced cabbage into the hot skillet. Use tongs or a large wooden spoon to toss it thoroughly, making sure every strand gets coated in that spiced mustard mixture. Cook over steady medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes. Let the cabbage sit undisturbed for a minute at a time to develop caramelized edges.
- Once the cabbage is buttery and tender, turn off the heat. Toss your reserved crispy bacon back into the skillet and give everything one final gentle stir. Serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: Cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or gently in a skillet.
Variations: Try swapping the smoked paprika for a Cajun seasoning blend, drizzle a teaspoon of maple syrup over the pan in the final two minutes, or add sliced smoked beef sausage during Step 2.
Variations: Try swapping the smoked paprika for a Cajun seasoning blend, drizzle a teaspoon of maple syrup over the pan in the final two minutes, or add sliced smoked beef sausage during Step 2.