Spicy Southern Style Cabbage with Bacon | Keto, Low-Carb

Spicy, tender, and flavorful, this easy southern style cabbage with bacon is a nostalgic dream come true. It’s a bona fide family favorite for generations past and present. The best part is that it is low-carb, and keto-friendly. Try it out today. If you can’t get enough cabbage, try my cabbage roll enchiladas!

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Peace, family.

This southern style cabbage recipe gives me all the feels. Comfort, warmth, familiarity, deliciousness – these all flood my mind the moment I take that first bite into this tender, spicy, and flavorful cabbage. Many of the meals, recipes, and dishes that we consider soul food take all. dang. day. to make! I’m looking at you Southern Collard Greens with Ham Hocks. Not this though. This cabbage can be made in under an hour and it doesn’t skip on flavor at all.

Let’s jump into some FAQ

How to Prep the Cabbage

I use the entire head of cabbage and keep my prep work mad simple. For the most part I keep my leaves either whole, or ripped (yes, ripped with my hands) in half, depending on how huge they are. I then place them in a colander or strainer and wash them VERY well. The cabbages from my local grocer tend to be very clean, and even then, you will still find dirt. Never skip washing your cabbage leaves, and most other produce for that matter. This feels more relevant to say in 2020 than ever before.

How Long Do You Cook Southern Style Cabbage?

For me, the perfect balance -without being too firm or too mushy- comes at about 40-45 minutes. That’s in a covered pot over medium-low heat.

Is Cabbage Keto-Friendly?

One serving of green cabbage contains approximately 5.2g carbohydrates, 2.2g of which are fiber making it suitable for a ketogenic lifestyle.

Do I Have to Use Bacon?

Absolutely not! Some suitable alternatives may be:

• Turkey Bacon
• Mushrooms – especially “meaty” varieties
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Ham Hocks
• Eggplant Bacon
• You can choose to exclude it altogether

*Note – these bacon alternatives are suggestions I received from trusted vegan and vegetarian cooks and bloggers. I have not personally tested these methods with this specific recipe.

How to Cooked Southern Style Cabbage with Bacon

You always want to start with your mise en place. Mise en place is a French term meaning “everything in its place.” This will make your culinary life so much easier; I promise you!

Let’s run through what your mise en place will consist of for this recipe:

• Tear or chop your cabbage into bite sized pieces and clean thoroughly
• Chop your bacon
• Mince or roughly chop your garlic

Gather your Spices, Seasonings, Etc.,:

• Bone Broth (I use chicken)
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Salt
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Smoked Paprika
• Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder

Instructions:

1. In a large pot (with accompanying lid) cook the bacon until nearly done.
2. Add the chopped or minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the cabbage and stir well; until the bacon and garlic are distributed evenly.
4. Add the bone broth, ACV, salt, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder. Give everything another good stir.

*Note: if you’re spice averse then you’re more than welcome to exclude the red pepper flakes. On the other side of the coin, if you want to kick things up a notch, stir in a half teaspoon of cayenne powder. It’s nearly impossible to mess this recipe up, and it’s highly customizable.

5. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

That’s it. Serve this dish straight up, or alongside you favorite chicken, meatloaf, or even steak. If you still have questions, concerns, or emotional outburst feel free to drop me a line in the comment box below. Just watch how you talk to me because sometimes I ain’t got no filter. JK. Kinda.

If you make this, feel free to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. As a blogger slash influencer, it’s the highest compliment and a free way to support my family’s small business. We don’t overlook anyone and we do a happy dance every single time one of you reaches out! You become our extended family.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Peace,

Adri & Co.

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