Skip to Content

What to Serve with Fried Cabbage

Do you ever get to wondering about “What to Serve with Fried Cabbage”? Well my Friend, I’ve got some great recipe ideas to share with you for a delicious Southern fried cabbage meal!

Southern fried cabbage is a traditional Southern side dish but is often served as the main dish too. Sometimes on its own or with a side of cornbread and maybe throw in some pan fried potatoes to make it a complete meal.

Green cabbage is one of our favorite vegetables. It is a cool season crop and will grow pretty much all winter long in my neck of the woods. It’s a versatile vegetable too.

I use fresh cabbage to make my own sauerkraut and egg roll filling as well as preparing it our favorite way, which is fried in a cast iron skillet.

Family dinners can be kept budget friendly, delicious and nobody leaves the table hungry thanks to a humble head of cabbage.

Delicious fried tender cabbage also makes a great side dish for St. Patrick’s Day to go along with corned beef or as part of the Southern New Year meal for those who don’t care for collard greens.

Southern Fried Cabbage Recipe

Southern Fried Cabbage in a Cast Iron Skillet

The preparation of fried cabbage takes just a handful of ingredients. Very simple ingredients in fact. Here’s what you’ll need.

  • Green Cabbage – the chopped cabbage is the main ingredient of this dish. We prefer this recipe with your basic green cabbage but if you like Napa cabbage then feel free to use that instead.
  • Thick Cut Bacon – the cooked bacon renders the fat and we need that bacon grease to fry the cabbage. Once cooked, be sure to reserve the crispy bacon to add back to the fried cabbage before serving. Olive oil or your favorite cooking oil may be used instead of bacon fat if preferred.
  • Black Pepper and Salt – for seasoning, to taste.

That’s my basic recipe and you can click the button below to get all of the details on how I like to make it.

The preparation of this great recipe is easy. You’ll want a large skillet over medium heat to cook the bacon until it has rendered the fat.

Once the bacon is crisp, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the pan and set aside on a paper towel lined plate to drain the excess grease.

Next, add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and turn to coat with the bacon fat. Increase the heat a bit to medium-high heat and sauté until tender as desired. Season the sautéed cabbage to your liking with a bit of salt and pepper.

Fried Cabbage

Southern fried cabbage in a cast iron skillet with bacon

Optional ingredients that you might enjoy in fried cabbage:

If you prefer more bold flavors in your fried cabbage, here are a few additional ingredients to consider. Red pepper flakes, chopped onion, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder or a little ground ginger are all great to add more flavor to cooked cabbage.

A splash of apple cider vinegar is also a great option to give it a bit more twang.

What to Serve with Fried Cabbage

Now let’s get to all of the delicious recipe options to serve with fried cabbage. 

1
Southern Pan Fried Pork Chops on a plate with fried potatoes, peas and carrots from Julia's Simply Southern
Pan Fried Pork Chops
Southern pan fried pork chops are a delicious classic meal
Check out this recipe
2
Sausage Cabbage Skillet
Low carb smoked sausage and pan fried cabbage are a quick one skillet meal
Check out this recipe
3
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Delicious low carb egg roll in a bowl recipe is a quick and easy meal.
Check out this recipe
4
Low Carb Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer - Best Recipe
Low Carb Air Fried Chicken
Delicious and flavorful low carb air fried chicken with a crunchy coating the whole family will love.
Check out this recipe
5
Chicken Fried Pork Steaks
Delicious chicken fried pork steaks with tenderized (cubed) pork
Check out this recipe
6
Cajun Dirty Rice
Cajun Creole style dirty rice recipe is delicious as a side or the main meal.
Check out this recipe
7
Garlic and Herb Crusted Pork Roast Recipe - Julia's Simply Southern -
Herb and Garlic Boneless Pork Roast
A simple and elegant crusted pork roast with herbs and garlic, easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for the holiday table.
Check out this recipe
8
Southern Pinto Beans
Classic Southern pinto beans with seasoning meat cooked on the stove top. Enjoy pinto beans as a meal or as a side dish.
Check out this recipe
9
Smothered Pork Chops on a white plate with rice and fried yellow squash
Smothered Pork Chops
Fork tender pork chops smothered in gravy and slow baked to perfection
Check out this recipe
10
Tender baked pork country style ribs with barbecue sauce glaze on a white rectangle platter
Easy Country-Style Pork Ribs Recipe with Barbecue and Roasted Garlic
Tender fall apart country style ribs recipe, baked in the oven with roasted garlic, barbecue and a few seasonings for a delicious meal.
Check out this recipe
11
Pork Medallions with Sauce
Pork Medallions with Gravy
Tender and delicious pork medallions with gravy is an easy tasty family meal.
Check out this recipe
12
Sticky Garlic Pork Chops on a plate with broccoli and rice
Sticky Garlic Pork Chops Recipe
Delicious sticky garlic pork chops made with just a few simple ingredients that are marinated then cooked to perfection.
Check out this recipe
13
Panko Parmesan Baked Pork Chops on a plate with baked asparagus
Panko Parmesan Baked Pork Chops
Crispy and delicious oven "fried" pork chops with a panko parmesan coating is an easy homemade meal that you can have on the table in about half an hour.
Check out this recipe
14
Cast Iron Skillet with Pink eyed peas and a ham hock garnished with fresh Thyme to bring luck in the new year
Southern Purple Hull Peas
Southern Purple Hull Peas or Pink Eyes are a delicious variety of field peas. While they’re all similar, each adds its own unique quality.
Check out this recipe
15
Make Ahead Chicken Recipe for a crowd - easy baked chicken - Southern style
Classic Southern Baked Chicken Recipe
Classic Southern baked chicken or cafeteria style baked chicken is an easy and delicious meal. This is also a great make ahead option when feeding a crowd.
Check out this recipe
16
crispy oven chicken tenders
Simple Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe
Delicious homemade chicken tenders that are oven baked with a crispy crunchy coating. A family friendly meal that everyone will love.
Check out this recipe
17
Easy Baked Cubed Beef Steaks served over rice and garnished with spring onions
Easy Baked Cubed Beef Steaks
Tender melt in your mouth smothered cubed steaks that are oven baked in a creamy mushroom gravy.
Check out this recipe
18
Classic Old Fashioned Southern Tomatoes and Rice Side Dish Recipe
Southern Tomatoes and Rice
Classic Southern side dish of tomatoes and rice
Check out this recipe
19
Old Fashioned Fried Corn - Southern Skillet Corn
Southern Skillet Fried Corn
Classic Southern fried skillet corn, a delicious sweet and savory vegetable side dish recipe
Check out this recipe
20
How to cook lima beans using fresh frozen rather than dried
Southern Style Green Baby Lima Beans
A classic Southern favorite of green baby lima beans as a meal or side dish.
Check out this recipe
21
Amazing recipe for sausage and rice casserole
Sausage and Rice Casserole
A delicious, creamy and savory sausage and rice casserole that is perfect as the main meal or as a side dish.
Check out this recipe
22
Colorful cucumber salad with tomatoes and onions in a white serving bowl
Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad Recipe
Tomato, Cucumber and Vidalia Onion Salad using fresh vegetables marinated in a simple vinegar dressing is a cool and refreshing summer side dish.
Check out this recipe
23
A serving bowl filled with potato salad with green olives and pimentos next to colorful napkins
Green Olive Potato Salad Recipe
Delicious potato salad side dish with green olives and pimentos rather than the traditional pickle versions.
Check out this recipe
24
Garlic cheese drop biscuits brushed with an herb butter on a sheet of brown parchment with a few sprigs of parsley
Cheddar Garlic Drop Biscuits Recipe
Tender and flaky Cheddar Garlic Drop Biscuits are made with just a few ingredients and are the best thing you'll put in your mouth!
Check out this recipe
25
Southern Self Rising Biscuits Recipe in a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Southern Self Rising Biscuits Recipe
Delicious Southern buttermilk biscuits from scratch made with self rising flour. These fluffy biscuits and flaky and so delicious.
Check out this recipe
26
Air Fryer Baked Potato with butter and sour cream
Best Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe
Perfect fluffy baked potatoes with seasoned crispy skin prepared in the air fryer. Air fryer baked potatoes make a wonderful side to your meal.
Check out this recipe
27
Southern Fried Chicken Livers
Crispy Southern pan fried chicken livers are a classic. Top with gravy if desired and serve with your favorite sides.
Check out this recipe
28
Blue and white plate with Salisbury Steak and mushroom gravy garnished with scallions
Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy Recipe
Classic Salisbury steak recipe with homemade mushroom gravy is a down home comforting family meal. This easy recipe is so delicious and will become a go to for your dinner rotation.
Check out this recipe
29
Classic Southern Meatloaf Recipe on a blue and white plate with mashed potatoes and peas and carrots
Classic Southern Meatloaf Recipe
A delicious meatloaf that is perfectly seasoned and topped with a sweet savory glaze that makes this meatloaf a family favorite meal.
Check out this recipe
30
Grandmama's Southern Fried Chicken Recipe in a skillet
Traditional Southern Fried Chicken Recipe Tried and True
Tried and true recipe for classic Southern fried chicken that is pan fried crispy and golden brown.
Check out this recipe

Check out the Latest Recipes

Thank you so much for stopping by! I am so glad that you did. 

Be sure to subscribe to my email list while you’re here. Subscribers receive a weekly newsletter  via email from me with the latest recipes and news here on the blog so that you never miss a thing.

Julia - author and publisher of Julia's Simply Southern Food Blog Recipes

About Julia

Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Follow me on Facebook Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

Sharing is Caring