Smothered Cabbage

reasons why this smothered cabbage recipe works

• delicious - extremely flavorful and comforting, just the way smothered cabbage with bacon should be!
• affordable - as an ingredient, cabbage is very cost-friendly. It is easy to feed a whole family with one cabbage head, and sometimes even have leftovers.
• quick - very simple and fast to make. You basically need to do very little once you have your ingredients in the pan or pot. If you like to make it quicker, you can even use your pressure cooker or the Instant Pot!
• perfect for those on special diets - this is a nutritious recipe that fits into almost all clean eating diets.
• versatile - substitute the bacon and smoked sausage for your favorite meat or poultry, or leave them out altogether.

ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will require to make this smothered cabbage with sausage recipe. This is a summary, a printable recipe card with full measurements has been provided at the bottom of this page.

• cabbage - I use regular white cabbage but savoy cabbage will do just fine. If you prefer to use savoy cabbage, just know you may not always find it in the market (try to find savoy cabbage any time between September and April).
• red or yellow onion - one large onion adds flavor and sweetness to the dish. This can be substituted with shallots or spring onion.
• thick slices of bacon - alternatively, you can use turkey bacon. Just make sure to slice it into equal-sized strips or cubes.
• olive oil - this can be substituted for butter, avocado oil, or clarified butter.
• potatoes - cut into one-inch cubes.
• cooked smoked sausage - smoked turkey sausage can also be used.
• cloves of garlic - alternatively, use one tablespoon of ground garlic.
• creole or cajun seasoning
• caraway seeds (optional).
• salt - add more or less if you prefer.
• apple cider vinegar.
• chicken stock - preferably low-sodium.

how to make smothered cabbage with sausage

Here is a summary of how to make smothered cabbage with sausage and bacon.

Allow a large skillet or pan to heat under medium heat for about 2 minutes. Toast the caraway seeds (optional) until fragrant then set aside.
To the pan, add the bacon and fry until crisp. Remove the cooked bacon using a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper-lined plate.

In the same pan, add the smoked sausage, and cook until the sausage has the desired amount of brown. Stir in the onions and cook for a further 2-3 minutes, or until the onion has softened.

Stir in the potatoes, garlic, cajun or creole seasoning, caraway seeds (optional), cabbage, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, chicken stock, and salt.

Cover and simmer until the potatoes and cabbage are cooked, stirring from time to time. Add half of the previously fried bacon and allow the cabbage to cook for a further 10 minutes, or until the pan juices evaporate and the cabbage starts to brown. Check for salt and adjust the seasoning, garnish with the remaining bacon and serve.

serving suggestions

Serve your smothered cabbage with any kind of baked or grilled meat, oven-baked chicken or fish, mashed potatoes, honey cornbread, black eyed peas or some Instant Pot rice.

recipe variations

The best thing about this smothered cabbage recipe is that you can vary it as you like to use your favorite ingredients.

• No meat option - make this dish with no meat by leaving out the sausage and bacon. Make it vegan by omitting meat and using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
• Onion - use spring onion instead of yellow onion.
• Change your protein type - omit the sausage and use smoked turkey or ground beef instead.
• Garnish - use chopped parsley, cilantro or your favorite chopped herb to garnish.

freezing and refrigeration

This recipe is great for meal prep, as the cabbage can be preserved in the fridge or frozen. Store in the fridge or freezer as follows:-

• In the refrigerator - allow it to cool then store in a properly labeled airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Freezing - you can perfectly freeze this dish (bear in mind cabbage changes its taste once it has been frozen and reheated).

more delicious recipes to try

• Old-fashioned liver and Onion Recipe
• Vegetarian Collard Greens with Vinegar
• Jamaican Salad with Pineapples and Raisins -no mayo
• Keto Deviled Egg Salad