What are some common mistakes when sauteing cabbage?

One common mistake is steaming the cabbage instead of allowing it to caramelize. First, we cover the skillet to allow the cabbage to cook down, but then we need to take the lid off in order for the liquid to evaporate and the cabbage to really brown! Another mistake is skipping proper seasoning and heat control, since cabbage needs enough fat, salt, and time to develop flavor rather than taste bland or watery.

Do you cook the bacon before you put it in the cabbage?

Yes, the bacon should be cooked first so it renders its fat and becomes crisp. That rendered bacon fat is then used to sauté the onions and cabbage, adding deep, savory flavor to the entire fried cabbage dish!

Easy Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon and Paprika

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This Sautéed Cabbage with Bacon and Paprika is a cozy one-pan dish made with crispy bacon, sweet onions, tender cabbage, and smoky paprika. It’s simple, hearty comfort food that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Author: Anca Toderic

Ingredients

Scale

1 pack bacon, cut into large pieces
2 large onions, sliced
7 cloves garlic, minced
1 large head green cabbage, chopped
1 tablespoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
2 bay leaves
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sour cream, for serving

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Instructions

In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until crisp and rendered.

raw chopped bacon pieces in a skillet before cooking for sauteed cabbage recipe

2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Carefully pour off excess bacon fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. (Save the extra for your bacon fat jar.)

crispy bacon cooking in a skillet, rendering fat for sauteed cabbage recipe

3. Add the sliced onions to the pan and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden.

sliced onions sautéing in skillet for easy sauteed cabbage recipe

4. Stir in the minced garlic and bay leaves and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

minced garlic added to sautéed onions in skillet for sauteed cabbage recipe

5. Add the chopped cabbage along with the paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss well so everything is coated in the bacon fat and spices.

chopped green cabbage added to skillet with spices for sauteed cabbage recipe

6. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage softens and releases its moisture.

7. Uncover and continue cooking another 5–7 minutes, allowing parts of the cabbage to caramelize and turn golden around the edges.

8. Remove the bay leaves, stir the chopped bacon back in, and adjust seasoning if needed.

9. Serve warm with a generous spoonful of sour cream.

Notes

• I eat this exactly as is, straight from the pan with a generous spoonful of sour cream. That’s my favorite way.
• You can also serve it over buttery egg noodles or spoon it over white rice to make it more of a full meal.
• It’s delicious piled onto a baked potato with extra sour cream and maybe even more bacon.

Find it online: https://thebuttertable.com/easy-sauteed-cabbage-with-bacon-and-paprika/