Easy Southern Fried Cabbage with Sausage and Bacon combines tender cabbage, smoky Andouille sausage, crispy bacon, and Cajun seasoning in one hearty skillet meal. It works well for Southern comfort food, easy cabbage recipes, and quick weeknight dinners. The cabbage softens in the savory bacon grease while the sausage adds smoky flavor throughout the dish.
If you like this Southern recipe, you may also love our Cajun Roasted Chicken with Smoked Andouille Sausage and Potatoes or our Easy Instant Pot Ham and Beans Recipe.
Easy Southern Fried Cabbage Recipe at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 25 minutes
- 🧊 Optional Chill: None
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🔥 Cook Method: Skillet-cooked
- 🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): Southern comfort food
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Skillet Cornbread, Smothered Pork Chops, rice
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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Cooking the bacon and sausage first builds a smoky base that flavors the cabbage as it softens in the skillet. ~Jami
Why We Love This Recipe
- Smoky Southern Flavor: Bacon and Andouille sausage add rich savory flavor throughout the tender cabbage.
- Weeknight Friendly: This skillet cabbage recipe comes together in about 40 minutes with simple ingredients.
- Flexible Serving Option: Serve it as a hearty side dish or as a full meal on its own. Just like this Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe.
- Classic Comfort Food: The combination of cabbage, sausage, and Cajun seasoning creates a traditional Southern-style dish with balanced texture and flavor.
Southern Fried Cabbage Ingredients
- Cabbage: Provides a hearty, nutritious base for the dish. Choose a firm, fresh head of cabbage for the best texture.
- Andouille Sausage: Adds a spicy, smoky flavor. Slice it evenly for consistent cooking. Have leftover sausage? Add some to these Cowboy Potatoes for breakfast!
- Bacon: Adds crispiness and a rich, savory taste. Chop into small pieces for easy mixing.
- Bell Peppers: Use a mix of red and yellow for sweetness and color. Dice them finely.
- Onion: Provides sweetness and depth of flavor. Dice it finely to blend well with the other ingredients.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor. Mince it finely.
- Cajun Seasoning: Enhances the dish with a blend of spices. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
- Sugar: Balances the flavors and adds a subtle sweetness.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to taste.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adds a bit of heat. Adjust to your preference.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the dish.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Andouille Sausage: Can be substituted with Polish sausage or another smoked sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Cajun Seasoning: Replace with another seasoning blend that has a similar flavor profile.
- Diet: Use turkey bacon and chicken sausage for a lower-fat alternative.
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How to Make Southern Fried Cabbage Sausage and Bacon
STEP ONE: Cook the Bacon and Sausage
In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the grease in the skillet.
Add the sliced Andouille sausage to the skillet and cook until browned. Remove sausage and set aside with the bacon.
STEP TWO: Drain Excess Grease
Carefully drain all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease from the skillet. Add more oil or grease if needed.
STEP THREE: Sauté the Vegetables
Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
STEP FOUR: Combine and Serve
Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and toss with the remaining grease. Season with Cajun seasoning, sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
Return the bacon and sausage to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Stir in the butter until melted and serve hot.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Cook the bacon until crispy.
❌ DO NOT Overcook the cabbage. It should be tender but still have a slight bite.
Storage
Store leftover southern fried cabbage in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This dish is not freezer-friendly. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water if necessary to prevent sticking.
Recipe FAQs
To make Southern Fried Cabbage vegetarian, substitute the bacon and sausage with plant-based alternatives such as tempeh bacon or vegetarian sausage. Use olive oil or vegan butter instead of bacon grease for sautéing the vegetables.
To keep cabbage from getting mushy when frying, make sure to cook it over medium-high heat and stir frequently. Avoid covering the skillet for too long, as this can trap steam and cause the cabbage to overcook. Cook the cabbage just until tender but still slightly crisp, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Yes, you can use any type of smoked sausage or even Polish sausage for a different flavor.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Southern Fried Cabbage with Sausage and Bacon
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Sharp Knife
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ½ large head of cabbage chopped
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage sliced
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the grease in the skillet.
- Add the sliced Andouille sausage to the skillet and cook until browned. Remove the sausage and set it aside with the bacon.
- Carefully drain all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease from the skillet. Add more oil or grease if needed.
- Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet. Stir to coat the cabbage in the remaining grease.
- Season with Cajun seasoning, sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Once the cabbage is tender, return the bacon and sausage to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Add the unsalted butter and stir until melted and well incorporated. Serve hot as a side dish.
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Notes
- Brown the bacon and sausage well before adding vegetables.
- Stir the cabbage occasionally while it cooks.
- Keep the heat at medium to avoid burning the garlic.
- Add the butter at the end for a smoother finish.
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