German Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Last Updated on January 31, 2023 by Betty Davies
This delicious sweet and sour cabbage side dish is easy to make in one skillet, and loaded with the most beautiful flavors. This German inspired recipe comes together quickly and easily in a skillet on the stovetop. Cabbage is quickly fried and then braised in apple cider vinegar til perfectly tender. To serve, it’s combined with crispy bacon to take it over the top!
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Cabbage isn’t always the most appealing of veggies, but when it’s cooked like this, it’s pretty irresistible! Based on a traditional German fried cabbage recipe, every single bite is full of sweet, sour and salty flavors.
White cabbage and onions are fried in a skillet, or cast iron pan, then braised in apple cider vinegar and sugar. To finish, crispy bacon is stirred in for a vegetable side dish that’s easy to make and delicious to eat!
Simple enough to make to serve up as part of an easy weeknight dinner, it’s also a great addition to your Oktoberfest or St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Be sure to check out my Air Fryer Cabbage with Onions and Apples and Braised Red Cabbage too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Easy: Made with a few everyday ingredients, everything is all cooked in one skillet and the technique used is straight forward.
- Make ahead: Once cooked, the cabbage will keep well and is easy to reheat.
- Dietary info: This recipe for German Fried Cabbage with Bacon is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. It is low carb, at under 15g carbs per serving.
Ingredients
- Oil: For cooking. Use a high heat neutral flavored oil like avocado, canola or vegetable.
- Bacon: Everything is better with bacon! Use a natural bacon with fewest ingredients for the healthiest option.
- Cabbage: Use a small white (or green) cabbage for this recipe. Chop it roughly into bite-sized pieces before cooking.
- Onion: A Spanish onion adds a nice sharpness to the dish.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder and black pepper.
- Sugar: White sugar adds a sweetness to the cabbage and it works so well with the tanginess of the vinegar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: The vinegar adds a delicious sourness and acidity. If you don’t have ACV, white wine vinegar will also work well.
How to make German Cabbage
Be sure to scroll down for the whole recipe!
- Fry the bacon til crispy (photo 1).
- Fry the cabbage and onions (photo 2).
- Stir in the sugar and vinegar and cook til tender (photo 3).
- Stir in the bacon to serve (photo 4).
Recipe Variations
To make this German fried cabbage vegan or vegetarian, simply leave out the bacon.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, there is no need to blanch the cabbage before frying it. Once fried, the cabbage is braised in the apple cider vinegar, and this process makes it nice and tender.
For this recipe, I went with a more rustic style. There’s no need to cut the cabbage super thin, bitesized pieces are just fine. Cut the cabbage through the cor in half, then lay each half flat on a chopping board. Cut down the cabbage into strips, then cut those strips into thirds or quarters.
Yes! Red and white cabbage can both be used in this recipe.
Serving Suggestions
This German fried cabbage with bacon is great to serve with so many meals, and it’s especially great with bratwurst or corned beef. It’s great with pork, beef and chicken mains, try it with some of these favorites.
Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating
This is a great make ahead side dish, and the leftovers taste great! Once cooked, let the cabbage and bacon cool, before storing covered in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 4 days. You can quickly reheat it in a skillet on the stovetop to serve.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- I used a large cast iron skillet to make this recipe. For best results, use the largest skillet or pan that you have so that the cabbage isn’t too overcrowded.
- When you remove the cooked bacon from the skillet, leave the fat in there. This will add more flavor to the cabbage.
- Do keep your eye on the pan when frying the cabbage. Stir it fairly often to help it cook evenly.
With salty, sweet and sour notes, this German fried cabbage with bacon is one delicious side dish. Perfect to serve up with your favorite sausages for a comforting and filling family dinner.
More Side Dishes with Bacon
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
- Bacon Blue Cheese Pasta Salad
- Bacon Dripping Gravy
- Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!
German Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)
- 6 strips bacon
- 1 small cabbage (roughly chopped)
- 1 large onion (diced)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Cut the strips of bacon into small pieces and chop the cabbage and onion so that they are ready to use.
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large cast iron or standard skillet over a medium high heat.
- Once hot, add the bacon and fry til browned and crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, keeping the oil and fat in the skillet, and set to one side.
- Add the chopped cabbage and onion to the skillet with the garlic powder and black pepper. Cook, stirring often, til the onion has softened.
- Add the sugar and apple cider vinegar to the skillet, and stir to combine.
- Cook, stirring occasionally til most of the liquid has evaporated and the cabbage is tender.
- Stir the cooked bacon into the cabbage, heat through and serve.
Notes
- I used a large cast iron skillet to make this recipe. For best results, use the largest skillet or pan that you have so that the cabbage isn’t too overcrowded.
- When you remove the cooked bacon from the skillet, leave the fat in there. This will add more flavor to the cabbage.
- Do keep your eye on the pan when frying the cabbage. Stir it fairly often to help it cook evenly.
