Go Back
+ servings
Square side shot of a skillet of vegetarian fried cabbage without bacon
Print Pin
4.94 from 30 votes

Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onions

Cabbage and apples is a simple, nourishing, and flavorful side dish that's ready in just minutes!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword cabbage and apples, cabbage stir fry, fried cabbage, simple fried cabbage recipe, southern fried cabbage
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 118kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

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 of a 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

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple, onion, cabbage, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Sauté until tender, about 12-15 minutes.
    Stir frying cabbage in a cast iron skillet
  • Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
    Square overhead shot of a skillet of fried cabbage

Notes

  • 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.
  • 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the recipe | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 363mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 45.7mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 0.6mg