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Southern Cooked Cabbage

Superb, soft and the indisputable champion of affordable dishes, this cabbage feeds a crowd and is delicious to boot! This version of Southern Cooked Cabbage is the best I know. I’ll show you how, come with me. 

I’ll even tell you how to make cooked cabbage on the stove, grill, oven, microwave, pressure cooker and instapot because, believe me, southern cooked cabbage is terrific prepared all of those ways! In fact, you could be eating this dish in about 30 minutes! 

Southern Cooked Cabbage

Southern Cooked Cabbage

 WHAT CAN I PUT IN MY COOKED CABBAGE? 

There are many choices for what to put in your cooked cabbage and once you’ve tried the basic recipe as listed below, add any of the following that you think you might like! In fact, I would love to hear about the extras you enjoy in your cooked cabbage.

Try…

  • Ham
  • Hamhocks
  • vinegar
  • apples
  • ground beef
  • smoked sausage
  • Keilbasa
  • chicken
  • Tomatoes
  • Carrots
  • Onions

 

Southern Cooked Cabbage

Southern Cooked Cabbage

Is Cooked Cabbage good for me?

As always, this is a loaded question, it depends on what you are looking for in your diet. Are you looking for “Whole” foods that you KNOW what is in the dish, then this is good for you.

Are you looking for a low fat diet item? You will want to leave out the fats and follow the other direections, and then you will be in business.

What about a higher fiber diet? Yes, you’ll find that southern cooked cabbage is right up your alley!

HOW TO COOK  COOKED CABBAGE IN A CROCKPOT

First, cook the bacon as directed in a frying pan and then follow the recipe listed below in the recipe box and put all of the ingredients into the crockpot. Set on low and allow to cook for 6-8 hours.

HOW TO MAKE COOKED CABBAGE ON THE GRILL.

You will want to cook the bacon in a frying pan first. Then, simply follow the recipe listed below in the recipe box and put all of the ingredients into a large cooking vessel that you don’t mind becoming blackened by the grill. (I like to use an old dutch oven). Place the lid on the pot, set the grill on medium and close the cover.

Check the southern cooked cabbage every 20 minutes until the cabbage is cooked through and softened.

HOW TO MAKE COOKED CABBAGE IN THE PRESSURE COOKER AND INSTAPOT

Personally, I think it tastes best if you cook the bacon in a frying pan first. Once that is done, place all of the items listed in the recipe box below into the pressure cooker or instapot. Cook under high pressure for 3 minutes and allow the cooker to slow release.

HOW TO MAKE COOKED CABBAGE IN THE MICROWAVE

First, cook the bacon in the microwave on a paper towel and covered with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Then, place the items listed below in the recipe box in a large microwave safe bowl. If your microwave won’t hold all of the items, feel free to cut the ingredients listed by half. Cook on high for 3 minutes and check for doneness. Cook for 1 minute more at a time until done.

RECIPE TIPS FOR SOUTHERN COOKED CABBAGE

  • There is no point in using your good bacon on this recipe, if you can find the “bits and pieces” of bacon (very inexpensive) available at your store, keep some in your fridge/freezer for these kinds of recipes. Perfect inexpensive solution. ( I bought mine at Trader Joe’s, but I have seen them at my local grocery too).
  • You know to discard the first couple of outer leaves on cabbage, right? Thought so.

How to Keep the Smell of Cooked Cabbage Out of Your Kitchen….

  • Southern Cooked Cabbage has a smell (it isn’t really a nice smell) when it is cooking. If you can cook it outside, that is ideal. For example use the burner on the end of  your grill. I also have a separate burner that I do canning on. Camp stove anyone? That way the smell stays out of the house. Today, I cooked the cabbage on my canning burner.

BUT WHAT ABOUT…. YOU KNOW…. GAS, Does Cabbage Cause Gas?

  • Cabbage has the bad reputation of giving people gas. Here are the ways that I have heard that you can address the gas issue ( no idea if they are accurate or if they work individually – you can see from the recipe what I did):  
  • Add potatoes to your cabbage and cook with the potatoes – the potatoes will absorb the gas making properties of the cabbage,
  • adding vinegar to the cabbage while it cooks often helps.
  • add baking soda to the cabbage while it cooks, only simmer the cabbage do not hard boil it.
  • I do all of these things to my southern cooked cabbage and haven’t noticed that the gas is terrible. Which tip is it that works the best? No idea, but it does.

 

a photo from the side of Southern Cooked Cabbage

Southern Cooked Cabbage

IF YOU ENJOYED SOUTHERN COOKED CABBAGE, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY…

Southern Mexican Cornbread

Ultimate Southern Pimento Cheese

Clays’ Famous Three Bean Casserole

Southern Sweet Potato Biscuits

LET’S SEE HOW THIS IS DONE!!

First, cut up the cabbage into chunks and then into strips (if you are wondering how to do this, watch the video in the recipe card!)

A cabbage head cut into fourths with cutting board and knife

Cooked Cabbage

 

Then add butter, bacon, onion and garlic to your Stock pot to cook.

A stockpot with butter, bacon, onion and garlic in it. A red towel to the side

Cooked Cabbage

Add the cabbage, stock and other ingredients…

Adding the stock to the stockpot for cooked cabbage

Cooked Cabbage

Then add the potatoes and cover and cook until done! 

Adding the potatoes to the stockpot

Cooked cabbage

YA’LL, HELP ME OUT, OK?

Please leave me a 5 star comment below in the comment section, all right? I would LOVE to know if you made this recipe or even if you are planning to! Of course, tool on over to Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram and tag me with some photos of your creation!

I can’t wait!

Ya’ll know I love comments!! ❤

THE RECIPE FOR SOUTHERN COOKED CABBAGE

how to boil cabbage

Southern Cooked Cabbage

Easy recipe for southern cooked cabbage just the way you remember it
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cooked cabbage, how to cook cabbage
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 350kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbs butter
  • 4 strips of bacon
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 head of cabbage
  • 3 fist sized white potatoes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp Tony Cacheres USE season-all salt if Tony Chachere's is not available
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • splash of Apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp baking soda

Instructions

  • melt butter over medium heat on the stove top in a frying pan. Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry in the butter. While bacon is frying, give the onion a rough chop and add to the frying pan. Mince the garlic. Just as the onion is becoming translucent (2-3 minutes), add the garlic and cook until fragrant (smells up the kitchen).
  • Add all of the ingredients (including the melted butter and bacon grease) to a large sauce pot (6 quart or so). Cut up the cabbage as follows: Cut into quarters and then cut into strips that are about 1-2 inches wide (after removing the hard center core) and place into the large sauce pot. Cover the the cabbage with chicken stock - but if not enough stock, add water to cover. Peel three fist sized potatoes and cut into 1-2 inch squares. Add to the stock pot. Add the salt, Tony chachere's (seaon-all) and pepper. Add the apple cider vinegar and baking soda as well.
  • Cook over medium high heat on the stove top by simmering for 10-12 minutes or just until the cabbage is done (try it to know for sure). You may need to add more salt and/or pepper depending on taste.

Notes

  • There is no point in using your good bacon on this recipe, if you can find the “bits and pieces” of bacon (very inexpensive) available at your store, keep some in your fridge/freezer for these kinds of recipes. Perfect inexpensive solution. ( I bought mine at Trader Joe's, but I have seen them at my local grocery too).
  • Southern Cooked Cabbage has a smell (it isn't really a nice smell) when it is cooking.  If you can cook it outside, that is ideal.  For example use the burner on the end of  your grill.  I also have a separate burner that I do canning on.  Camp stove anyone?  That way the smell stays out of the house. Today, I cooked the cabbage on my canning burner.
  • You know to discard the first couple of outer leaves on cabbage, right?  Thought so.
  • Cabbage has the bad reputation of giving people gas.  Here are the ways that I have heard that you can address the gas issue ( no idea if they are accurate or if they work individually - you can see from the recipe what I did):  Add potatoes to your cabbage and cook with the potatoes - the potatoes will absorb the gas making properties of the cabbage, add vinegar to the cabbage while it cooks, add baking soda to the cabbage while it cooks, only simmer the cabbage do not hard boil it.  I do all of these things to my southern cooked cabbage and haven’t noticed that the gas is terrible.  Not sure which one works or if it is the combination but my recipe for southern cooked cabbage doesn't seem to give anyone at my house gas.
  • This southern cooked cabbage - while excellent right away becomes even better if you can allow it to sit in the fridge over night.  All the flavors meld and OH MY GOODNESS!  It is good!
  • Don’t get all freaked out and worried about the bacon grease and butter in this recipe, it stays melted and in the liquids.  You won’t actually be eating much of it - its just for flavor.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Southern Cooked Cabbage
Amount Per Serving
Calories 350 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 1165mg49%
Potassium 1264mg36%
Carbohydrates 41g14%
Fiber 10g40%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 400IU8%
Vitamin C 104.3mg126%
Calcium 153mg15%
Iron 6.7mg37%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

This verse is ready for any day of the year, not just the holidays.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Terry J

Friday 17th of March 2023

Made it - family loved, now my go to recipe thanks!

Wendi Spraker

Friday 17th of March 2023

Great Terry! Thank you for letting me know!

EveM

Monday 14th of December 2020

This was great recipe. The only thing I added was a ham hock and 32oz of stock because I always add more potatoes. The bacon and garlic added a needed flavor to my old recipe. Thanks for sharing.

Wendi Spraker

Tuesday 15th of December 2020

Hi EveM! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a review. Sometimes our standard recipes just need a little umph. I'm glad you found what you needed. :)

Feona distler

Saturday 11th of April 2020

I got this seasoned cabbage canned for the epidemic. What should I do with it. Guessing butter, vinegar, salt pepper maybe mustard?

Wendi Spraker

Saturday 11th of April 2020

Hi Feona, I think your instincts are right. I would add a little smokey bacon instead of mustard though. Best wishes dear!

Laticia Sietsema

Sunday 16th of February 2020

This blog about Southern Cooked Cabbage o Loaves and Dishes has helped me a lot, is very well written. Kiss you All!

Wendi Spraker

Monday 17th of February 2020

Glad it helped Laticia!

Beth

Saturday 25th of January 2020

Excellent! It was delicious and just the way I remember it being cooked at my grandmother's!

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 26th of January 2020

Beth, there couldn't be a better compliment. Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

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