The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe

My love for cabbage runs deep, and this fried cabbage recipe is one of my favorites. White cabbage is a humble vegetable, but butter, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of brown sugar turn it into something you'll want to make on repeat.

 

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

We're big cabbage eaters in our house, and I'm always looking for new ways to make it. But this quick, easy fried cabbage recipe always makes its way onto our menu. It's so quick and easy and can be adapted any way you like. There are many ways to use your extra cabbage, but this is one of the best!

What is fried cabbage?

Fried cabbage is cabbage cooked in fat, usually butter or bacon grease, until softened and caramelized. It's a simple Southern side dish that's ready in under 20 minutes and works with or without meat.

A Quick Look at the Ingredients

Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

You can find these simple ingredients in your local grocery store at almost any time. Here is what you will need for this recipe.  

• Butter — the base fat that gives the cabbage its rich, silky flavor. Bacon grease works great, too.
• Head of cabbage — green cabbage is my go-to, but napa or red cabbage both work.
• Worcestershire sauce — adds a deep, savory kick you can't quite put your finger on but definitely notice.
• Brown sugar — just a teaspoon to balance the bitterness of the cabbage.
• Kosher salt and black pepper — season to taste.
• Crushed red pepper flakes — for a little heat. Leave it out if you're sensitive to spice.

How to make fried cabbage 

This simple side dish is only two steps and can be ready to eat in under 20 minutes. Here are the directions for making this dish. You can also print this out using the recipe card below.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. 

Add cabbage, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring to combine.

Cook for 8-10 minutes until the cabbage is coated in butter and softens. Serve and enjoy.

Variations 

Here are some different ways to make this sautéed cabbage into your special dish. Try a few of these suggestions to see what you like best.  

• Pour in some whisked eggs for a stir-fry flair.
• Add cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce for a little extra heat.
• Add crispy bacon, pancetta, or sausage for rich, delicious flavor.    

What kind of cabbage to use 

There are many types of cabbage, and they all work well with this dish. I prefer green cabbage, but use whatever cabbage you have on hand.

Some options include napa cabbage, green cabbage, or red cabbage.

They all have slightly different flavors and textures, so you can play with them to see which one you like best.

Napa cabbage is softer and milder, red cabbage is more bitter and crunchier, and green cabbage is between these two.   

How to serve this fried cabbage recipe  

Southern fried cabbage is easy to make and can be served with many different main dishes, like juicy air fryer turkey thighs, air fryer tilapia, steak with garlic herb butter, or air fryer cornish hens.    

Some other cabbage options to serve with dinner include Jamaican steamed cabbage, instant pot buttered cabbage, sweet and sour cabbage.

How to store 

To refrigerate: Keep any leftover cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can reheat it in a small bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments until it's warm all the way through.

To meal prep: This is a great recipe to prep ahead of time and fry right before you're ready to eat. Slice the cabbage and prepare the other ingredients. When you're ready to cook, follow the instructions on the recipe card. 

FAQs:

If you have tried this fried cabbage recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!