Description
🥓 Southern Fried Cabbage with Smoked Sausage offers a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal rich with smoky, savory tastes.
🍲 This classic Southern dish comes together quickly and combines tender cabbage with crispy bacon and sausage for a satisfying dinner option.
Ingredients
4 to 5 slices bacon
1 large head cabbage, cut into wedges or large chunks (about 6 to 7 cups chopped)
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup water or beef stock
1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces or thin rounds
Salt and pepper to taste
1 medium onion, diced or cut into chunks
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
1-Prepare ingredients: Wash cabbage thoroughly after removing outer leaves. Chop cabbage into large chunks. Dice onion and red bell pepper if using. Mince garlic.
2-Cook bacon: In a large skillet or frying pan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Leave bacon grease in the pan.
3-Brown sausage: Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pan with bacon grease. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides. Remove sausage and set aside.
4-Sauté aromatics: If using, add butter to the pan along with diced onions, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
5-Cook cabbage: Add chopped cabbage and water (or beef stock) to the pan. Stir well to combine. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cabbage wilts and softens but remains slightly crunchy, about 5-15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes to taste.
6-Combine ingredients: Return cooked smoked sausage and crumbled bacon to the pan. Toss gently and cook together for an additional 3-5 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
7-Adjust and serve: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot, optionally alongside traditional Southern sides like black-eyed peas, cornbread, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
🌿 Avoid overcooking the cabbage to keep it slightly crisp and prevent it from becoming mushy.
🔥 Use smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning to enhance the smoky, spicy depth of flavor.
🥄 Try different smoked sausages like andouille or kielbasa for varied taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Southern Fried Cabbage, Smoked Sausage Skillet, Hearty Southern Meal, One Pan Dinner