When sauteed cabbage is done correctly, there is just something special about the dish that makes you feel good when you eat it. This sauteed cabbage recipe has flavors that are really developed with lightly caramelized onions, smoky bacon, sweet apples and a lot of love.
THIS SAUTEED CABBAGE RECIPE IS: GLUTEN FREE, PALEO, LOW CARB AND INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS.
SASSY SAUTEED CABBAGE SIDE DISH
That's right. This sauteed cabbage has some sass and I absolutely love it. The cool part of this side dish is all the luscious layers of flavor and texture that are just tweaked a tiny bit by the punk of the apple cider vinegar. The vinegar simply pulls the flavors together, brightening and making your mouth so happy to be eating that particular bite that it can't wait for the next. It's just a sassy side dish. Pair this sauteed cabbage with a thick cut pork chop and you'll be in for a real treat.
QUICK COOKING TIP: We are going to be sauting the cabbage twice in this recipe (just for good measure and tons of flavor). The initial saute will wilt and lightly brown the cabbage. This will help to develop flavor while the cabbage is softening during the braise. At the end, we'll saute it again to get some really flavorful bites.
Let's take a look at this sauteed cabbage recipe a little more closely.
SAUTEED CABBAGE SIDE DISH WITH BACON & APPLES
Sauteed cabbage the way it is supposed to be: tender, juicy and outrageously delicious. This cabbage side dish is good enough to serve all on its own, but pairs perfectly with a thick cut pork chop!
Ingredients
- 3 Strips Bacon
- ½ Onion, (Spanish) sliced thin. Approx 1 cup
- 1/ Cup Shallot, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoon Garlic, sliced thin. Approx 2 large garlic cloves
- ½ Head Head Cabbage, cored & shaved thin
- 1 Cup Beef Stock
- 2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Golden Delicious Apple, peeled & cored. Diced
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, Braggs brand preferred
Instructions
- Heat a large, heavy bottom saute pan over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Reserve the fat in the pan and remove the bacon.
- Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3 minutes and then add in the shallot. Cook another 3 minutes, stirring. Add in the cabbage and 2 teaspoon salt. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly so the garlic does not burn.
- Add in the beef stock, cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 35 minutes.
- Remove the cover and add in the apples and cider vinegar. Stir to incorporate. Cover and cook another 10-12 minutes, or until the apples have started to soften.
- Remove the lid and turn the heat to high. When the liquid has evaporated, turn the heat to medium-high and saute the cabbage, stirring frequently.
- Serve hot and happy eating!
Notes
The cooking time for the apples simply depends on how large you sliced them. A smaller dice will take less time while a larger dice will take quite a bit longer!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Amount Per Serving Calories 188
Final thoughts on the sauteed cabbage with bacon and apples recipe:
Oh man. I love cooked cabbage in general, but this is really delicious. I've made this in the past with more bacon, but I found that the subtle flavors of the apple, onion and garlic get completely masked. The trick is getting the balance correct in every dish, not make them all taste like bacon bombs. If your bacon tastes really smoky, you might want to think about adding in half, tasting and then adding in more if you think it needs it.
I think that sauteed cabbage pairs best with a thick cut, pan seared or grilled pork chop. The apple, onion and cabbage combination just want to be eaten together. Tomorrow (Feb 23) I'll be posting up the delicious pork chop recipe that you see in the pictures! In the meantime, if you're on Pinterest, please free to pin this recipe!
Thanks for reading and I hope you like what you've seen.
Emily says
This looks gorgeous! I LOVE cabbage and am always on the hunt for a new way to prepare it. (I have a gigantic tub of mayo-free coleslaw in my fridge right now!) Can't wait to try it!
Scott Groth says
Hi Emily:
Did you make it? How did it go?
Thank you for posting.
Take care,
Scott
Frances says
I didn't see the bacon being added back in.?
Emma Grosser says
Doesn't get much more straightforward than this. Tasty and true to the flavors. A real authentic tasting recipe. Nice work.
Scott Groth says
Hi Emma:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I hope you have a great day!
Scott
Terry says
Doubled the recipe and added a can of hard apple cider in place of 2 cups of the required beef stock. Really great side dish! Nice flavor!
Scott Groth says
Hey Terry,
Didn't use the apple cider vinegar with sauteed cabbage. Need to try that. Thanks for sharing the tip!
Have a great day and happy cooking!
Scott