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Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion

Name: Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onions
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons salted butter; 1 apple, coarsely grated ((I use Honey Crisp, but any variety will work)); 1 small Vidalia onion, thinly sliced ((or use another sweet onion variety)); ½ head of green cabbage, thinly sliced ((about 3 – 4 cups total)); 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon sugar; ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste; ground black pepper, to taste; Dash of ground nutmeg

Published: Sep 5, 2018 by Blair Lonergan

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A simple, nourishing, and flavorful side dish is ready in just minutes! This vegetarian fried cabbage with apples and onions is made without bacon, but you can certainly add some for even more smoky, hearty flavor. Serve it alongside roast chicken, meatloaf, pot roast, pork with cider gravy, or chicken and stuffing casserole for a cozy fall dinner.

Overhead shot of a pan of fried cabbage with onions and apples in a skillet

Vegetarian Fried Cabbage without Bacon

As the leaves change, the air becomes crisp, and the temperatures drop, the salads of summer just don't sound quite as appealing. Instead, we turn to warming, hearty sides that take advantage of the fresh local produce of the season. This simple fried cabbage recipe is buttery, slightly sweet, tangy, and totally satisfying! Sure, you can add some crispy bacon to the pan for even more rich, smoky flavor, but it definitely isn't necessary.

Square image of chef holding a skillet of fried cabbage

Is cabbage fried good for you?

Yes! Other than the butter that you use for stir-frying the produce, this simple side dish is loaded with nutritious ingredients -- like cabbage, apples, onions, and vinegar. For instance, the cabbage along brings numerous health benefits, as it's a low-calorie vegetable that's rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

How do you cut cabbage for frying?

For this simple fried cabbage recipe, you'll just need half of a head of green cabbage. Start by slicing the head in half with a big knife. Cut out the core at an angle, and then finely shred the cabbage with the knife (similar to the texture and size that you might like for coleslaw).

Ingredients

This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you'll need for a skillet of Southern fried cabbage. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

Butter: to cook the vegetables and add rich flavor to the dish.
Apple: for a hint of sweetness. I use Honey Crisp apples, but any variety that you enjoy will work well.
Green cabbage: just half of a head, which is about 3-4 cups thinly sliced.
Onion: pick a sweet onion, such as Vidalia.
Apple cider vinegar: for bright, acidic tang.
Sugar: to balance the acidity and enhance the flavor of the cabbage.
Kosher salt and ground black pepper: to enhance the flavors in the dish.
Ground nutmeg: for a touch of warmth in the background.

Stir frying cabbage in a cast iron skillet

How to Make Fried Cabbage and Onions

You'll love this simple fried cabbage recipe! You don't need any fancy equipment, and the prep time is minimal.

Remove the core and thinly slice half a head of green cabbage; thinly slice an onion; and coarsely grate an apple.
Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and add the remaining ingredients.
Sauté the cabbage for about 12-15 minutes, or until it's tender and starts to brown a bit.

Square overhead shot of a skillet of fried cabbage

Serving Suggestions

You can't beat easy side dishes like this cabbage stir fry for busy weeknight meals. Pair it with any of the following entrées:

Beef: such as Southern meatloaf or meatloaf with oatmeal, marinated grilled steak, beef tenderloin, London Broil, steak tips, filet mignon, grilled New York Strip, and flank steak.
Chicken: such as whole roasted chicken, roasted chicken breast with apples and onions, fried chicken cutlets with country gravy, oven bbq chicken breast, crispy fried chicken, and coq au vin.
Pork: such as pork tenderloin with apples, sheet pan smoked sausage and potatoes, stuffed pork chops, grilled pork chops, grilled pork tenderloin, pulled pork, baked pork tenderloin, glazed ham, ham steaks, pork roast, and smothered pork chops and gravy.
Seafood: such as grilled salmon, blackened salmon, oven fried fish, grilled scallops, marinated grilled shrimp, roasted salmon, and 5-ingredient parmesan crusted tilapia.
Turkey: maple-glazed roasted turkey breast, garlic and herb roast turkey breast, apple cider brined turkey, slow cooker turkey breast, or smoked turkey.

Horizontal shot of a pan of fried cabbage

Storage

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat the cabbage in a skillet over low heat just until warmed through. You can also warm individual servings in the microwave.

Recipe Variations

Fried Cabbage with Bacon: Dice a few slices of bacon or turkey bacon and brown them in the skillet before you add the vegetables. Instead of using 2 tablespoons of butter for frying, cut the butter back to 1 tablespoon and leave the bacon grease in the skillet for flavorful cooking fat.
Want a shortcut? Grab a bag of coleslaw mix from the produce section. You need about 3-4 cups of shredded cabbage altogether.
Add garlic to the skillet for even more savory flavor.
For less tang, cut the vinegar back to 1 tablespoon.
Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.

Square side shot of a skillet of vegetarian fried cabbage without bacon

Tips for the Best Fried Cabbage Recipe

Shred the cabbage as thinly as you like. Keep it fairly coarse, or slice it really thin for a delicate texture.
Garnish the cooked cabbage with chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary. Make it spicy with a sprinkling of crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
Make it a complete meal by browning sliced kielbasa (or other sausage) in the skillet before frying the cabbage.

Hands holding a pan of vegetarian fried cabbage

More Cabbage Recipes to Try

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