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Keto Fried Cabbage with Bacon 🥬

Published: · Updated: by · 2 Comments

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Our Keto Fried Cabbage dish brings a keto spin to a well-known Southern side delicacy. With crispy bacon, sautéed onion, garlic, and tender cabbage, it conjures a mouthwatering feast for those seeking a light and invigorating option. This recipe serves as a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Now, let's gather around and prepare this wholesome and delightful fried cabbage recipe to relish its nourishing goodness.

Keto Fried Cabbage in a cast iron skillet
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Preparation and cooking overview

Making this Keto Cabbage takes only 25 minutes. Start by frying crispy bacon, then sauté onions and garlic in the bacon grease. Add chopped green cabbage and cook for 10-15 minutes. Finally, combine the bacon with the cabbage, season with salt and pepper, and your delightful low-carb side dish is ready to enjoy!

Chef's note

If you're feeling adventurous, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika or garlic powder. You can also add a refreshing zing to this dish by pairing it with fresh lime wedges.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings

🥓 Ingredients for this keto fried cabbage recipe

To make Keto Fried Cabbage and Bacon, you will need these simple ingredients:

  • 4 slices bacon
  • ½ white or yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 medium-sized head of green cabbage, chopped
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Ingredient substitutions

  • Garlic: Swap the minced garlic with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for a convenient alternative that still adds garlicky goodness.
  • Onion: If you're not a fan of onions or don't have any on hand, substitute with sliced shallots for a mild flavor.

Additional ingredients

Here are some keto-friendly ingredients that pair well with Keto Cabbage and Bacon:

  • Fresh herbs: Add a burst of freshness and aroma by including chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or thyme.
  • Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar to add a tangy zing to the recipe.
  • Smoked paprika: For an extra layer of smoky flavor, sprinkle some smoked paprika over the cabbage and bacon mixture. It adds a delicious depth to the dish.
  • Red pepper flakes: If you're a fan of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can spice things up and add flavor to the dish.
Keto Fried Cabbage in a cast iron skillet

Cooking tools required

To make Keto Cabbage and Bacon recipe, you will need the following kitchen tools:

  • Large cast-iron skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Seasoning utensil

Tools substitute options

  • Cast-iron skillet: If you don't have a large cast-iron skillet, use a non-stick frying pan or a stainless steel skillet.
  • Slotted spoon: If you don't have a slotted spoon, use a regular spoon and gently tilt it to drain off the excess grease while transferring the bacon to a paper towel.

How to make Keto Fried Cabbage: step-by-step guide

Cooking method

  • Pan-frying

Preparation steps

  1. Gather all the ingredients.
  2. Chop bacon and cabbage.
  3. Thinly slice the onion.
  4. Peel and mince the garlic.

Cooking instructions

  1. Fry bacon in a large cast-iron skillet until crispy.
  2. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon and set aside; leave the grease in the skillet.
  3. Cook onion in the skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add cabbage to the skillet. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until soft.
  5. Return the bacon to the skillet and season the cabbage and bacon mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve it hot or cold, depending upon your preference.
Keto Fried Cabbage in a cast iron skillet

Chef's pro tip

To fully enhance the mild flavor of cabbage, be generous with seasoning, especially with salt and pepper. Remember to season the cabbage at each cooking stage - while sautéing the onions and garlic, during the cabbage's cooking process, and when you reintroduce the bacon. Also, taste as you cook and adjust the seasoning as needed. Doing this ensures a flavorful outcome!

What to serve with keto fried cabbage?

Keto fried cabbage is a versatile side dish that pairs well with various keto-friendly options. Here are some delicious food pairings to enjoy with it:

  • Chicken teriyaki skewers: Serve juicy Chicken Teriyaki Skewers alongside the cabbage for a satisfying and protein-packed meal.
  • Keto glazed salmon: Enjoy Keto Glazed Salmon with your fried cabbage. The rich flavors of the salmon complement the cabbage beautifully.
  • Sautéed shrimp: Cook up some succulent shrimp seasoned with garlic and butter to add a seafood twist to your plate. The shrimp pairs wonderfully with the crispy cabbage.
  • Garlic butter steak: Enjoy this fried cabbage with juicy Garlic Butter Steak.

How to make it healthier?

  • Choose low-sodium bacon or reduce the amount of added salt to reduce the sodium content of the recipe.
  • Choose organic and fresh ingredients to ensure you're consuming produce at its peak nutritional value.
  • Add non-starchy vegetables, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini, to increase the overall vegetable content of the dish.

Time-saving tips

  • Use chopped cabbage: If you're short on time or don't have fresh cabbage, go for frozen chopped cabbage. It's already prepped and ready to go, significantly reducing the prep time for this recipe.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Cook bacon in advance: Fry bacon until crispy and store it in the refrigerator. This eliminates the need for frying bacon during the cooking, making the process quicker and more convenient.
  • Chop the cabbage in advance: If you're using fresh cabbage, you can pre-chop it and store it in a resealable bag or airtight container in the refrigerator.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

Allow the leftovers to cool down, transfer them to an airtight container, and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. The leftovers can be refrigerated for 4-5 days when properly stored.

Reheating best practices

  • Microwave: Place a portion of the fried cabbage in a microwave-safe dish, heat on high power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway, and let it stand for a minute before serving.
  • Oven: Transfer the leftovers to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for approximately 15-20 minutes.
  • Stovetop: When using the stovetop, heat a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat, add the leftovers, and cook while stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly, around 5-7 minutes.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Keto Fried Cabbage is a delightful low-carb Southern side dish that jazzes up humble cabbage with crispy bacon, creating a burst of flavor. Our goal here at Cast Iron Keto is to make the keto diet interesting while cherishing the goodness of wholesome vegetables. So, let's make this recipe, keep your carb count in check and enjoy this healthy keto cabbage!

Here are some keto cabbage recipes for you!

Frequently asked questions

Yes, cabbage is a keto-friendly vegetable with minimal carbs. It is an excellent choice for various keto recipes, especially when paired with keto-approved ingredients like bacon and cooked in healthy fats.

Cabbage is low in carbs and suitable for the keto diet. It contains approximately 3-6 grams of net carbs per 1 cup, making it a great option for keto-friendly meals.

Absolutely! Feel free to use different cabbage varieties like red or savoy in this recipe for unique textures and flavors.

Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be vegetarian or vegan. Omit bacon; use plant-based alternatives and vegetable oil instead of bacon grease.

You can easily scale up the recipe if you're cooking for a larger group or want to meal prep. Adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly, use a larger skillet, or cook the cabbage in batches to ensure even cooking.

📖 Recipe

Keto Fried Cabbage in a cast iron skillet

Keto Fried Cabbage

This Keto Fried Cabbage recipe is the real deal! Crispy bacon, sauteed onion, and garlic, along with tender cabbage create this perfect low-carb Southern side dish.
5 from 2 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: keto side dish
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 144kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon
  • ½ white or yellow onion thinly sliced (70g)
  • 1 clove garlic minced (3g)
  • 1 medium-sized head of green cabbage chopped (703g - 1.5 lbs)
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste 
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Fry bacon in a large cast-iron skillet until crispy.
  • Remove bacon using a slotted spoon and set aside; leave the grease in the skillet.
  • Cook onion in the skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Add cabbage to the skillet. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until soft.
  • Return the bacon to the skillet and season the cabbage and bacon mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve it hot or cold, depending upon your preference.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Fried Cabbage
Amount Per Serving
Calories 144 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 178mg8%
Potassium 368mg11%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 172IU3%
Vitamin C 66mg80%
Calcium 74mg7%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renee McGee says

    Delicious as all your recipes💕

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Thanks Renee!

      Reply

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