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!
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
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.
IF YOU ENJOYED SOUTHERN COOKED CABBAGE, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY...
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!)
Then add butter, bacon, onion and garlic to your Stock pot to cook.
Add the cabbage, stock and other ingredients...
Then add the potatoes and cover and cook until done!
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
Southern Cooked Cabbage
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 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Tony Cacheres USE season-all salt if Tony Chachere's is not available
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- splash of Apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon 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
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
Cathy says
Made my mouth water reading, I love cooked cabbage. Can’t wait to try!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Cathy! There are some BEAUTIFUL cabbage heads out there right now, it's the perfect time to cook some up! enjoy!
Chad Power says
Loved this dish! We ate a lot of cabbage in my youth in Newfoundland, this is a delicious variation and we loved it! I replaced the bacon with my homemade salt pork belly and was not disappointed!
Keep up the great posts!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Chad! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and tickled that you left a comment! Thank you so much!
Tammy says
This recipe is fantastic! I made it yesterday and my family loved it. I used a mixture of beef and chicken broth and let it simmer low for two hours. They drank the juice after the veggies were gone!
Wendi Spraker says
Tammy, you are making me giggle. I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe! 🙂 . Have a great weekend and thanks for coming back and leaving a comment. 🙂
Lynn says
Made it but didn’t have any season all salt or potatoes on hand. Followed the recipe without those. Added a diced very ripe pear and sprinkled in lemon pepper. It turned out great. The pear added a hint of sweetness that was perfect. Thanks for the ideas.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Lynn, Thanks for leaving me a comment. That's a really inventive solution to cabbage, I'm glad it turned out the way you like!
BARBARA BURNETT says
Looking for my grandmother's southern cooked cabbage!!!! Think this is it.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Barbara, Thanks for leaving me a comment. I hope it tastes just like grandmothers! 🙂
Jimmyp says
Yumm good eating , I always add a pig of He Keibsa sausage to mine, An a small can of tomato sauce - comes out very very tasty
Wendi Spraker says
Sounds good to me Jimmy!
Stef says
Good morning. I love cabbage but havecto eat it very judiciously for the common reason. This looks delicious and is now in my keepers file.
Thank you for the bible verse. It is comforting to remember that the government is on tbe shoulders of the Lord. 😊
Wendi Spraker says
Good morning! Thanks Stef! I hope you enjoy. 🙂
Shelia Gray says
I'm cooking this tonight can't wait to taste i read all the reviews sounds like it was the bomb for everyone who tried this cabbage dish.I did not have 2 of the ingredients chicken broth and baking soda so i used what i had beef broth and baking powder well we will see.I have used beef broth before when a recipe has called for chicken broth and all i had was beef And i must say they all came out very tasty i will let you know the end results Thanks so much for the recipe
Wendi Spraker says
Sheila- thanks for letting me know. :). I hope it was wonderful
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Lisa, I don't know if that will work or not. I once used country ham and that was a mistake. :). If you try it, let us know. :). Thanks!
Nancy Harris says
Oh, southern cabbage was to die for. My sister shared your site with me. Love all you post. Especially Good Christian talk. Keep up the good work
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Nancy! Thanks so much! Cabbage is just the best!
Moxie says
YUM! Cook em up just right!
Hazel Hummel says
My husband said it was good n I should serve it tomorrow when we have company that's saying something thanks for the recipe I think your fresh from the garden veggies cook quicker that's all
Wendi Spraker says
Hazel! That is just wonderful! Thank you so much for returning to let me know! PLUS - I'm so excited because I get to give your comment an "I made it" cutting board! Can you see it - kind of faded and beige colored on your comment? I hope you do serve cabbage to your friends/company - and I hope they love it! What terrific southern charm your meal will have! Let me know what they say!!!! Thank you again!
Hazel Hummel says
I've got the cabbage potatoes bacon n everything else this recipe calls for so getting started thanks for the recipe
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Hazel! Normally, I would have said, WONDERFUL! Let me know how it turns out! However, my internet was out due to a storm and by the time I could answer this one - you had already left me a comment about how it turned out! Thank you so much!
Lyndsay says
Making this as i type. Cannot wait to taste as it smells wonderful. Only thing i would change on your recipe is the prep and cook time. Prep takes a good 15-20 mins to clean, peel and chop all veggies. Cook time is well over 12 mins as my pot has been cooking a good 25 mins now on med-high and cabbage/potatoes still need a bit more time. Other than that i think the flavors are going to be worth the unexpected wait!
Wendi Spraker says
Lyndsay!! Thanks for stopping by!! I appreciate your input on time. Let me know how it turns out!!! Best wishes. :).
Chelle Hott says
I agree that the potatoes are going to take longer, but you could always microwave them for 8 min before you start to cook them and then they shouldn’t take so long when they are cooking with the cabbage.
Verna Cox says
Doesn't look like bacon looks like ham!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Verna, Thanks for visiting! I'm glad you stopped by and I tickled that you are studying the photos so closely! Ham would be terrific in this Southern Cooked Cabbage - for sure! However, this is bacon. Sometimes I buy the "bits and pieces" bacon at the grocery. It is A LOT more affordable than the bacon you have for breakfast. The caveat is that it sometimes comes in bigger chunks - which works out great for putting in a soup or in something like this cabbage. Check it out the next time you are at the grocery - it is a great way to save a little money! 🙂 Take care and have a terrific week!