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Caramelized Cabbage and Bacon

Who knew that cabbage caramelized in bacon drippings could be such a delicious and easy side dish?

Caramelized Cabbage and Bacon | Paleo recipes | Whole30 recipes | Keto recipes | Low-carb recipes | perrysplate.com

This caramelized cabbage & bacon recipe is one of those thing I think I’d eat if I lived alone. If you don’t live alone, do you think about stuff like this?

I’d have FAR fewer dishes, that’s for sure, and never two dozen plastic IKEA cups in the dishwasher. And I’d never have ketchup in the fridge. (Ew.)

If by some miracle I happen to be alone, I usually just grab whatever leftovers are in the fridge or scramble some eggs.

Or make this caramelized cabbage and bacon and throw some fried eggs on it. YUM.

I experienced this for over a year when I lived alone during Steve’s deployment, pre-kids. In some ways it was nice to come and go and eat as I please.

But, I was always anticipating cooking Steve stuff that I really loved, and I loved having friends over to eat. I just love feeling people. 

Yeah, kids are messy and picky and don’t always listen, but they’re fun to have around most of the time. It’s one thing to whip up something a bunch of adults enjoy, but an entirely different feeling of accomplishment when you do it for a group of kids — especially if what they’re eating is good for them and the actually enjoy it.

That’s the ultimate high right there.

That high didn’t happen when I made this caramelized cabbage and bacon. I figured with as much bacon in this I might win them over, but… nope. The littlest liked it, but the girls totally shut me down.

Sigh.

The good news is that I had plenty leftover for lunches the rest of the week.

Caramelized Cabbage and Bacon | Paleo recipes | Whole30 recipes | Keto recipes | Low-carb recipes | perrysplate.com

How do you caramelize cabbage?

If you’ve caramelized onions, it’s similar in method, but it doesn’t take quite as long.

Cook it for along time over medium heat until the cabbage softens, wilts, and develops deep golden brown spots.

Unlike onions, caramelized cabbage doesn’t turn quite as sweet, but if you add some chopped onions to your cabbage you’ll caramelize those right alongside the cabbage and it adds a nice little sweetness.

And the bacon adds some intense saltiness and you end up with a pan of the most delightful peasant-type food.SaveSaveSaveSave


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Caramelized Cabbage and Bacon

Caramelized Cabbage and Bacon

Yield: Serves 6-8 as a side
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Who knew that cabbage caramelized in bacon drippings could be such a delicious and easy side dish?

Ingredients

  • 8-9 slices of uncooked thick-cut, nitrate-free bacon
  • 1 large sweet onion
  • 1 large head of cabbage, shredded
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

Instructions

  1. Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until evenly crisped. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Drain half of the bacon drippings from the skillet. Add the onion, cabbage, and salt to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until the cabbage softens and the onions turn translucent. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook for about 30-40 minutes until the cabbage has golden brown spots and is very, very tender.
  3. Add the garlic and red wine vinegar to the skillet and stir to combine. Stir in the bacon and serve.

Notes

Nat's Note: This can easily be made ahead of time and warmed immediately before serving.

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Katarina

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

Can I add Brussels Sprouts to this recipe?

Natalie Perry

Wednesday 13th of October 2021

Sure! That would be delicious.

Andy

Sunday 19th of July 2020

Thanks so much. I made tonight and it was delicious! I followed the recipe exactly.

Natalie Perry

Wednesday 22nd of July 2020

Thanks Andy! So glad you liked it!

Andy Olcott

Friday 10th of July 2020

Hi,

Thanks for the recipe. I'm going to make it. Question: should the skillet be covered during the 30 - 40 minutes cooking on medium heat?

Thanks!

Natalie Perry

Friday 10th of July 2020

Either way. If you find that it starts to get dark quickly, reduce the heat and cover it. If the liquid coming off of the cabbage isn't cooking off, then leave the lid off.

MIchelle

Monday 16th of October 2017

I am relieved to hear that I am not the only one who is met with resistance for her children. But, the high is so great, we have to keep trying. ;-)

Natalie Perry

Wednesday 25th of October 2017

Right? I think it's definitely a motherhood solidarity thing.

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