Fried Cabbage And Sausage is the savory Southern dish you didn’t know you needed!
When I tell people I’m from California, their minds often travel pretty quickly to sunny beaches, fancy cars, and celebrity sightings. I’m lucky enough to live on the iconic California coast now, but where I grew up is a much less recognized part of the Golden State.
I’m from Central California, the agricultural hub of the West. It’s known for large dairy farms, miles of almond trees, and less-than-picturesque views of, well, nothing much. The truth is, while I didn’t grow up in the South, I certainly did grow up in the country. I’m talking about sweet tea stewing on the porch, cow sightings on your way to school, and nothing to do but drive around on weekends. You wouldn’t know it looking at me now, but I’ve scuffed a few boots in my day, and I’ve definitely taken the time to learn to cook some of those iconic Southern recipes from the family cookbook.
I didn’t always love my country roots or the recipes that came with them, though. One of the dishes I absolutely hated growing up was fried cabbage and sausage. I remember my mom constantly telling me, “I hated it too when I was a kid. Don’t worry. You’ll grow out of it.” If there’s one thing I hate, it’s telling my mom she was right. Fried cabbage and sausage is now a recipe I love so much, I have to share it with y’all.
This recipe is full of flavors—sweet, salty, savory—you name it, you’ll taste it in this dish. That’s because the cabbage absorbs the other ingredients and adopts their flavors as its own. I serve fried cabbage and sausage at parties, and it’s always a hit. It also works as the main course to your family dinner, and I know it best as the thing you have to eat on New Year’s Day (alongside black-eyed peas and cornbread) if you want to have a good year, at least in my family! Superstition aside, I’d eat it anyway. It’s just so dang tasty.
Is Fried Cabbage And Sausage Healthy?
While some versions of fried cabbage and sausage can be not-so-great for you, this recipe is one of the healthier options. It uses olive oil, a healthy fat, plus fresh produce to make it taste good without compromising its nutritional value! The sausage packs this dish with protein (and a little bit of sodium, which you might want to watch out for), while the cabbage keeps the calorie intake low. And, feel free to use a smoked chicken or turkey sausage if you’d prefer a lighter take!
You can adjust your fried cabbage dish as much as you like. To make it vegan, use tofu or plant-based sausage instead of meat.
The One-Pan Wonder
Fried cabbage and sausage isn’t just a delicious and hearty dish; it’s also one that requires only one skillet to make it! I love a one-stop shop when cooking. Plenty of recipes I love require more than one pan for sauces, sautéing, etc. More pans mean more washing, and who wants that, right? This recipe only requires that you chop everything up and throw it in a big skillet. So even if I was hesitant about this dish as a kid, I’m definitely sold now!
How To Make Ahead And Store
Fried cabbage and sausage is a popular meal prep dish because it reheats well. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. While you can use the microwave to reheat, the stove will help maintain the dish’s texture.
Serving Suggestions
Fried cabbage and sausage works as a side or a main course. If you’re serving it on the side, pair it with a lighter entrée like a Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast to offset the recipe’s rich flavors.
On the other hand, if this recipe is your main dish, serve it with sides of Baked Corn On The Cob, Rice Pilaf, homemade Cornbread With Creamed Corn, or a hearty No-Bean Chili.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces smoked sausage sliced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium head green cabbage cored and chopped
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Mix in the chopped cabbage, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
My family loved this! We all loved this recipe. I used onions and bell peppers and also chicken
Sausage. I didn’t use all of the spices but I did use some butter,salt and pepper. I will be cooking this again
That sounds delicious! Glad it was a hit with your family! 😊