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This easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon is low carb, keto, gluten-free, and made with simple ingredients in about 30 minutes.
Crispy bacon, tender cabbage, and a touch of seasoning come together in one pan for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal.
You can serve it as a main dish or as a flavorful side. And yes – you can easily make it without bacon for a vegetarian version.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Made in one pan
- 5 g net carbs per serving
- Budget-friendly and meal prep friendly
- Simple, real ingredients
Cabbage is inexpensive, widely available year-round, and incredibly versatile. It holds up well in the fridge and works beautifully in soups, salads, stir fries, and skillet meals like this one.
Like cabbage? Try my Keto cabbage soup, that I make almost every week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 large head of cabbage, chopped into ½-inch pieces or shredded
- 8 slices bacon
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic (optional)
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce (optional, but recommended)
- ¼ cup water (as needed)
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp thyme (optional)
Tomato sauce adds mild sweetness and depth without using sugar, which keeps this recipe low carb.
How to Keep the Bacon Crispy
If you love crispy bacon (like I do), follow this method:
- Cook the bacon first until golden and crisp.
- Remove it and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Reserve the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the bacon back at the very end of cooking.
This keeps the bacon crunchy instead of soft.
Can You Freeze Fried Cabbage?
Yes.
Let cool completely and store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
To reheat:
- Thaw in the refrigerator
- Reheat in a skillet with 2-3 tablespoons water
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking
Stovetop reheating gives the best texture.
Tips for the Best Fried Cabbage
Double the recipe for meal prep – it reheats well.
Cut cabbage into even ½-inch pieces to prevent uneven cooking.
Don’t overcrowd the pan – use a large skillet.
Reserve enough fat for flavor; add oil if needed.
Add extra spices like smoked paprika or red pepper flakes if desired.
FAQ
Yes. Skip the bacon and use olive oil instead. You’ll have a simple, vegetarian fried cabbage dish.
Tomato sauce adds mild sweetness and acidity without using sugar. It balances the cabbage beautifully.
One medium head yields about 8 cups finely shredded cabbage.
Yes. This recipe contains about 5 g net carbs per serving, depending on portion size.
How Many Cups of Shredded Cabbage Are in One Head?
One medium head of cabbage yields about 8 cups finely shredded.
Roughly 1 cup shredded cabbage equals about ⅛ of a medium head.
How to Keep the Bacon Crispy
For crispy bacon pieces:
- Cook the bacon first until golden and crisp.
- Remove it and drain on paper towels.
- Reserve the bacon fat in the pan (add oil if needed).
- Add the bacon back at the end, after the cabbage is fully cooked.
Adding the bacon last keeps it crisp instead of soft.
More cabbage recipes:
If you are a follower of my blog, you may already know that we love cooking with cabbage and sauerkraut in my house.
Here are some more simple recipe ideas, if you want to incorporate more cabbage recipes into your cooking.
Fried Cabbage With Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 large head cabbage, chopped or shredded
- 8 slices bacon
- ¼ cup chopped white or yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, optional
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water, as needed
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp thyme, optional
Video
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Add onion to the bacon fat and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Add cabbage, tomato sauce, water, salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Cook 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender.
- Stir in bacon and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was so easy to make and tasted perfect! Love the addition of tomato sauce.