Southern Fried Cabbage

Ingredients

• 1 cabbage (head, cut into 1/2 inch strips and washed)
• 0.5 lb bacon (slab, cut into bite size pieces)
• 4 sausage links (sliced)
• 3 bell peppers (any color, sliced)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 tsp garlic (minced)
• onion powder (to taste)
• mesquite liquid smoke (to taste)
• smoked paprika (to taste)
• sazon seasoning (or similar, to taste)
• Tony’s Creole seasoning (to taste)
• brown sugar (to taste)
• crushed red pepper (to taste)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Steps

1. 1

   Prep your veggies: Cut the head of cabbage into 1/2 inch strips and wash thoroughly. Slice the bell peppers and dice the onion.

2. 2

   Prep your meats: Cut the bacon slab into bite-size pieces and slice the sausage links.

3. 3

   In a large skillet, cook the bacon pieces until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Remove the bacon and set aside, but keep the rendered bacon grease in the skillet.

4. 4

   In the same skillet with the bacon grease, cook the sliced sausage until browned. Remove the sausage and set aside.

5. 5

   In the same skillet, sauté the diced onions for 2 minutes.

6. 6

   Add the sliced bell peppers to the onions and cook for another 2 minutes.

7. 7

   Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

8. 8

   Add the onion powder, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, sazon, Tony’s Creole seasoning, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper to the skillet. Mix well to combine the aromatics and spices.

9. 9

   Add the cabbage strips to the skillet, cover with a lid, and cook for 5–8 minutes.

10. 10

    Uncover the skillet and mix the cabbage with the other ingredients.

11. 11

    Add the cooked bacon and sausage back into the skillet on top of the cabbage in an even layer.

12. 12

    Place 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in the center of the mixture. Cover and cook for another 5–8 minutes until the cabbage is tender.

Notes

The bacon grease is essential for the flavor of the cabbage, so do not drain it unless there is an excessive amount. Adjust the 'to taste' seasonings based on your preference for heat and saltiness.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• side dish
• Southern
• fried cabbage
• bacon
• sausage
• one-pan
• comfort food