• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Side Dishes

    Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon

    Published: Mar 2, 2015 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 16 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    cabbage and bacon in a white bowl, topped with a fried egg

    Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon is a humble dish that cooks cabbage down until it is tender but still crisp and tops it with crispy bacon.

    I'm quite drawn to humble food these days.  Simple food for a weeknight that doesn't take too much work and doesn't remind us with too much emphasis that we don't have a dishwasher.

    As much as we love good food in our little family, we're not terribly fancy.  Well, most of us aren't.

    Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon in a white bowl
    Frank was out of town this week, and single-parenting twin babies is not for the faint of heart. When I tucked those two sweet chickadees in at night, I took all of five minutes to decide what I would be feeding myself before curling up in sweats to watch Mindy Project reruns.  (And there you have an accurate picture of what home alone Jess looks like these days.) When I'm cooking for myself, most meals are one or two vegetables with a side of rice, and a fried egg if I'm feeling up for it.  Years ago I wrote about green beans for dinner, and those still make a frequent appearance.

    And so it was, in a very home alone dinner sort of mood that I went out in search of a recipe for this month's Secret Recipe Club.  This month, I was matched up with Anna in Alaska, which seemed fitting. I had already spent a good bit of time in Anna's great blog Cheese with Noodles since she cooked from my blog just last month! At the beginning of February, it was so wonderful to be reading about Anna's chilly Alaska life from my tropical Bangkok one. And this month, I loved having the chance to cook from her blog. Anna's food is totally my style - she comes up with amazingly creative ways to use simple ingredients, and only shares the very best on her blog.  Which is where this cabbage dish comes in. Sautéed Cabbage with Bacon and Onions sounds like it should be a classic, but I've never cooked cabbage like this before. And what a mistake.  This cabbage, cooked until tender but still crisp, becomes silky and just a bit sweet. And with the crunch of crumbled bacon...amazing.

    This is one I will absolutely make again. Maybe next time I'll even make it when Frank is home.

    cabbage and a fried egg in a white bowl

     

    More Easy Dinner Recipes

    • 20 Minute Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles
    • 30 Minute Shrimp Teriyaki Noodle Bowls
    • 20-Minute Smoky Tomato Soup with Pasta and Chickpeas
    • Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce
    • Chicken, Butternut Squash, and Orzo Soup
    • Chicken with Thai Holy Basil
    • Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Hoisin Peanut Dipping Sauce
    • Gazpacho with Crispy Chickpeas
    • Herbed Baked Eggs
    • Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Tortellini, Basil, and Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

    Favorite Tools

    • Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 
    Print Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon

    This humble dish cooks cabbage down until it is tender but still crisp and tops it with crispy bacon - comfort food at it's best.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Keyword: easy dinner, easy side dish, one pan meal
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 179kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $4.00

    Equipment

    • Large Skillet

    Ingredients

    • ¼ lb Bacon
    • ½ large Onion, chopped
    • 1 small Green Cabbage, quartered, cored, and sliced thinly
    • 2 teaspoon Sugar
    • 2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Salt and Pepper, to taste

    Instructions

    • Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool; then crumble. Add onions to grease in skillet and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add cabbage, breaking it apart with your hands as you add it to the skillet. Sauté until cabbage is as tender but still crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. (You can speed things along by covering the skillet.) Add sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Cook until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute more. Remove from heat and add crumbled bacon.
    • Serve as a side dish on its own or with grain of choice (I loved this with rice). Add an egg to make this a delicious, simple dinner!

    Notes

    Recipe adapted just a bit from Sautéed Cabbage with Bacon and Onions by Anna at Cheese with Noodles.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 221mg | Potassium: 389mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg

    Frank was gone for the week, but we're all together in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) now! The weather is fabulous, the temples are abundant, and the shopping opportunities are endless!

    Frank Clara Molly_Chiang Mai

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Related

    « Molly and Clara - 10 Months
    Parmesan-Thyme Sweet Potato Fries »

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MaggieFisher

      March 02, 2015 at 9:41 pm

      I have discovered cooked cabbage also, I found a Martha recipe somewhere in a magazine that sautéed it with apples and a little brown sugar and some apple cider vinegar and I threw in some leftover asparagus and green beans too. The cabbage is totally different this way and I loved it, now I have to try your version, the bacon - which I eat very little of til I have a BLT crave I honor a couple times a year - and trying to sub in turkey bacon just doesnt get it...anyhow can't wait to try this with the poached egg, looks wonderful. Those adorable daughters just keep growing up before our eyes on your web site, I can only imagine how you handled both of them without Frank there, it was tough for me just having one child and being alone at times with him.
      Maggie

      Reply
      • Jess

        March 11, 2015 at 9:28 am

        Oh yum Maggie - I absolutely love the sound of that - cabbage with apples and brown sugar - I'm in - will have to try that! Honestly, in my short few months of experience, it strikes me that the secret to parenting alone is to not think about it too much. When something goes wrong or chaos ensues, I just jump to the quickest, easiest solution. It's hard but feels pretty triumphant too, doesn't it?!

        Reply
    2. dave

      March 03, 2015 at 2:40 am

      Nice photos as always, and interesting narration. I like cabbage - what recipe would you recommend (pasta maybe) for feeding 4 big appetites?

      Reply
    3. Sweet as Sugar Cookies

      March 03, 2015 at 3:31 am

      Mmmm, your description of this makes the simple ingredients sound so exquisite.

      Reply
    4. Nicole - Coking for Keeps

      March 03, 2015 at 4:22 am

      Sometimes simple is the best way to go, especially when it includes a runny egg...

      Reply
    5. Helen at Casa Costello

      March 03, 2015 at 5:28 am

      Mmm this is a properly Irish recipe - and one of our favourites. Have never had it with egg though. Your babies are just delicious! #secretrecipeclub

      Reply
      • Jess

        March 11, 2015 at 9:25 am

        You're so sweet Helen - I find those two babies of mine to be absolutely delicious as well. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Stephanie at Dessert before Dinner

      March 03, 2015 at 8:35 am

      This looks like an absolutely beautiful weeknight dinner. I make these kind of things for myself when my husband is working late or having a boys night out. Wonderful SRC post (and a great idea for me to make this week)

      Reply
    7. Claire @ Claire K Creations

      March 03, 2015 at 5:51 pm

      Wowee looking after the girls on your own is seriously impressive! I don't think I could muster up something like this if I was home alone for a month. Well done Jess!

      Reply
    8. Katie (The Muffin Myth)

      March 04, 2015 at 3:18 am

      I'm all for super simple meals, especially when I'm home alone. I did a cabbage dish recently too, braised in a bit of white wine and butter, so simple but so delicious! Love the looks of this one, will keep it in mind for a simple dinner soon. And Chiang Mai, isn't it fabulous?! It was probably my favourite place in Thailand.

      Reply
      • Jess

        March 11, 2015 at 9:25 am

        Oh yum Katie - I've made note that I have to try that braise as well as your tahini on toast form the blog - YUM!

        Reply
    9. Leigh

      March 04, 2015 at 8:56 am

      I completely agree with you on simple humble food - is it a sign of getting older? Such a gorgeous dish!

      Reply
    10. Debra

      March 04, 2015 at 10:29 pm

      Great simple comforting meal. I would eat this anytime. Even fancy time.

      Reply
      • Jess

        March 11, 2015 at 9:24 am

        So true Debra - "fancy" has many definitions. 😉

        Reply
    11. danielle

      March 04, 2015 at 10:37 pm

      As far as Im concerned that looks like a big bowl of comfort food to me! And in front of the Mindy Project sounds like the perfect alone night - love that show!

      Reply
      • Jess

        March 11, 2015 at 9:23 am

        Me too, Danielle! Definite comfort food!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • miso vegetable soup in a grey bowl
      Miso Vegetable Soup
    • lemongrass chicken and rice on a white tray
      Lemongrass Chicken
    • cauliflower baked ziti in a white oval baking dish
      Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Cauliflower
    • a round One-Bowl Chocolate Guinness Cake on a wooden tray
      Chocolate Irish Guinness Cake

    Trending Recipes

    • hand holding a chocolate chip cookie with a bite out of it
      Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • stir fry over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks
      Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • square image overnight oats in mason jars with berries on top
      Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • beef and broccoli stir fry on a white plate with chopsticks
      Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2023 Inquiring Chef