This Southern cabbage recipe features boiled cabbage in a smoky, meaty broth with seasonings and spices. A savory and succulent Southern side dish that is a staple on our Sunday dinner table!.
Cabbage in Southern and soul food cuisine isn’t just about healthy greens; it’s about a flavorful transformation. Marrekus, who grew up in Tennessee, says that his family made this Southern cabbage recipe every week. It’s now one of our family’s favorite recipes, along with mixed greens and collard greens. Everyone always goes back for seconds and even thirds.
It’s my favorite how the boiled cabbage with smoked turkey turns out soft, buttery, and spicy. The secret to achieving perfectly tender cabbage is to simmer it in a flavorful broth. The longer it boils, the more tender it becomes. The broth is sooo delicious, perfect for slurping. It’s one of those dishes that exemplify the saying, “Good things come to those who wait. ”.
Cabbage cooked with ham hocks is a delicious and timeless soul food recipe. This simple yet flavorful one-pot meal can be made easily on the stovetop with minimal ingredients. When properly prepared, the cabbage leaves become silky soft and infused with the smoky salty flavor of the ham hocks. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to make this classic dish in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head green cabbage
- 2 smoked ham hocks (about 3 ounces each)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6-8 cups water
Step 1 – Prep the Cabbage
Start by removing any wilted outer leaves from the cabbage Cut the cabbage into quarters and cut out the tough core Rinse the quarters under cold water, Chop the cabbage into 1-2 inch pieces,
Place the chopped cabbage in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Make sure to wash away any dirt or debris. Set aside.
Step 2 – Cook the Ham Hocks
Add the ham hocks to a large pot and cover with 6-8 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer the ham hocks for 90 minutes, or until the meat is fork-tender.
Remove the pot from heat. Transfer the ham hocks to a plate and set aside to cool slightly. Reserve the cooking liquid.
Step 3 – Cook the Aromatics
Return the pot with the ham hock cooking liquid to medium heat. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
Step 4 – Shred the Ham Hock Meat
Once the ham hocks are cool enough to handle, remove and discard the skin, fat, and bones. Shred or chop the meat into small bite-sized pieces.
Add the shredded ham hock meat to the pot with the cooked vegetables. Season with black pepper.
Step 5 – Simmer the Cabbage
Add the rinsed cabbage and enough of the reserved ham hock cooking liquid to just cover the cabbage.
Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is very tender.
Add more reserved cooking liquid during simmering if needed to keep the cabbage just covered.
Step 6 – Adjust Seasoning and Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with more black pepper if desired. Serve warm.
This soul food cabbage goes great alongside cornbread, mac and cheese, fried chicken, or other traditional southern sides. The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. The flavors meld even more over time!
Variations
- Use turkey wings or pork neck bones instead of ham hocks. Adjust cooking times as needed.
- Add other aromatics like onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, thyme, or bay leaves.
- Stir in sliced mushrooms, chopped greens, or diced potatoes during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
- To reduce sodium, omit added salt and use reduced sodium ham hocks.
FAQs
How long does it take to make cabbage with ham hocks?
With most of the cooking time hands-off, this only takes about 2 hours start to finish. Plan on 90 minutes for the ham hocks to become tender, then 30 minutes for the cabbage to simmer.
Can I use a slow cooker instead of the stovetop?
Yes, cabbage cooked with ham hocks can absolutely be made in a slow cooker. Cook the ham hocks on high for 4 hours, then add the vegetables and cabbage and cook 1 additional hour.
What kind of cabbage works best?
Green cabbage is the most commonly used, but red or savoy cabbage can also be substituted. Avoid using napa cabbage as it has a more delicate texture.
Can I prepare the ham hocks in advance?
For quicker cooking, the ham hocks can be cooked 1-2 days in advance. Store the cooked meat in the fridge until ready to use.
Is smoked turkey better than ham hocks?
This comes down to personal preference. Turkey provides a leaner option, while ham hocks impart a deeper, porkier smoky flavor. Use whichever smoked meat you enjoy most.
Cabbage simmered with smoky ham hocks is classic comfort food at its finest. Follow this easy stovetop recipe for a soulful one-pot meal the whole family will love. The silky cabbage soaks up the rich flavor of the ham hocks for a simple yet delicious result. Serve it up hot alongside all your favorite soul food fixings.
Boiled Cabbage with Ham Hocks or Neck Bones
Another way to make this southern cabbage recipe is to use pork. Smoked hocks are pork shanks that come from the shoulder. Neck bones are another popular type of meat used in southern soul food. These two things make the broth taste better and are often used to add a rich, smoky flavor to soups and stews.
What is Boiled Cabbage?
Boiled cabbage is a classic Southern side dish. For extra richness and depth of flavor, it’s often cooked with tasty things like smoked turkey, ham hocks, or bacon. Usually, the cabbage is cut up or sliced and cooked until soft. It soaks up the meat’s flavors and smokey flavor.
- 1 head of cabbage, roughly chopped
- 3-4 quarts water
- 1 smoked turkey leg
- 2 teaspoons chicken base (or 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Tip: Smoked turkey is found in most major grocery stores. It is most commonly sold as legs (drumsticks), either whole or chopped in half. You can also use necks, wings, or tails, or hocks.
- Collard Greens and Cabbage are a mix of greens that are cooked together and slowly simmered in a tasty smoky broth with onions, ham hocks, and red pepper flakes.
- Fried Cabbage is another Southern favorite. Onions, garlic, and sometimes bacon or smoked meat are sautéed with sliced cabbage until it gets soft and slightly caramelized. It’s a simple and flavorful side dish.