This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the perfect keto, low-carb side dish! At just 3.9 net carbs per serving, this one-pan side dish will be your new favorite!
When I transitioned to a low-carb lifestyle, I had a pretty hard time finding side dishes that were keto-friendly. At first glance, so many traditional side dishes — such as baked potatoes, fries, chips, pasta salads and even some vegetable-based sides — were no longer an option.
So what is left? Just salads? That’s what I thought at first too. But truthfully there are so many more low-carb side dishes out there!
This Southern fried cabbage with bacon is a quick and easy keto side dish that is naturally low carb. You don’t need to have any hard to find ingredients with this dish, just a few very basic ingredients gives you the perfect keto comfort food!
Ingredients Overview
Pan fried cabbage is one of my favorite keto sides because it requires so few ingredients! Below is an overview of all that goes into the fried cabbage with bacon and onions. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for a detailed list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions.
- Produce: cabbage and onion
- Bacon
- Spices: salt, pepper, and paprika
How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This is one of my favorite low-carb side dishes! It’s so easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor.
Here’s an overview of how this simple keto side dish recipe is made:
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp.
- When crisp, remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Drain off all of the bacon grease except 1 tablespoon and set aside for later.
- Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease and sauté until caramelized.
- Add 1 tablespoon of bacon grease back to the skillet, then add the cabbage salt, pepper and paprika.
- Cook the cabbage until it has reduced and is tender enough for your liking.
- Add the chopped bacon and serve immediately.
Serve
Fried cabbage is a traditional southern side dish. While it can be served with just about anything, it pairs especially well with bold flavors like French Onion Chicken .
Some other recipes that go well with pan fried cabbage and bacon are:
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This recipe is best eaten fresh. However, you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to allow to cool completely prior to placing in an airtight container. To reheat, toss leftovers into a hot skillet and sauté for a couple minutes until warmed throughout. You could also microwave in 30-second intervals if you’re in a rush!
Keto Fried Cabbage FAQs
I used a head of green cabbage for this recipe. Don’t use purple cabbage as it has a slightly different taste and texture.
Use any bacon you’d like! I used a classic pork bacon, but you may use your favorite type.
Yes, this recipe is gluten free when prepared as described.
Yes! Cabbage is a staple in my keto diet. It is naturally low in carbs and can be prepared so many ways.
This keto fried cabbage recipe makes four servings, approximately 3/4 cup each. However, if you like your cabbage super tender and cook it until it reduces greatly, the serving size will be smaller.
Per serving this recipe has 14 grams of fat, and 3.9 net carbs per serving.
More Easy Keto Side Dishes:
When adapting to a low carb diet it can be difficult to give up those old favorites! I’ve tried my best to come up with some keto friendly sides that mimic classic side dishes.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon (keto + low carb)
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut bacon chopped
- 4 cups cabbage chopped
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp. When crisp remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate.
- Drain off all of the bacon grease except 1 tablespoon and set aside for later.
- Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease and sauté 7-10 minutes over medium heat until the onion caramelizes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of bacon grease back to the skillet, add the cabbage salt, pepper and paprika.
- Cook the cabbage for 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally until it has reduced and is tender enough for your liking.
- Add the chopped bacon and serve immediately.
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