Fried Cabbage and Sausage is the Southern-inspired dish you didn’t know you needed!
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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, known for its 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, nothing to do but drive around on weekends. And actually, while I am a California native, my mother and her mother before her came here from Oklahoma, so I was raised pretty darn country, too. 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 Grandma’s big book.
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 now more than I hated then… it’s having to tell my mom she was right. But of course, she was, and 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 of the way the cabbage absorbs the other ingredients and adopts their flavors as its own. It’s a staple at parties in the country, it 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! 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 like garlic and onion, 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.
A One-Stop Shop…
Fried cabbage and sausage isn’t just a delicious and hearty dish; it’s also one that requires only one dish to make it! I love a one-stop shop when cooking (who wants to do extra dishes, am I right?) This recipe just requires that you chop everything up and throw it in a big skillet, so even if I was hesitant growing up, I am SOLD now!
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
Sauté
Brown sausage in skillet.
Cook
Sauté onion and garlic, then add cabbage and seasonings.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Fried cabbage and sausage is a popular meal prep dish because of its ability to reheat well. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and heat it throughout the week as you wish. You can reheat this in the microwave, but warming it on the stove will help maintain the texture of the dish.
Because you’re cooking in a skillet, the cabbage should maintain its crispiness, but my mom taught me a little trick just in case (or for other cabbage-based dishes!) Roasting slices of your cabbage wedge in the oven ahead of cooking will give it a crispy, caramelized edge.
You can adjust your fried cabbage dish as much as you want, swapping out your sausage for any other protein. To make the dish vegan, just use tofu or other veggies instead of meat!
Serving Suggestions
Fried cabbage and sausage serves well as a side dish or a main course. If you’re serving it on the side, try pairing it with a lighter entrée like a Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast to combat the rich flavors of your side dish.
On the other hand, if you are highlighting fried cabbage and sausage as your main dish, serve it with sides of Corn On The Cob, Rice Pilaf, or homemade cornbread and chili (this one is beanless!)
Whatever you do, just don’t wait until the New Year to try this dish out!
Fried Cabbage And Sausage
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
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