Fried cabbage with kielbasa – A quick and budget-friendly recipe ready in about 30 minutes. This is a quick, one-pot meal that’s great for a weeknight dinner. It has browned kielbasa sausage and caramelized cabbage. Versatile and so delicious!.
Cabbage and sausage is a classic comfort food combo that never gets old. The savory, slightly spicy sausage beautifully complements the sweet, tender cabbage when fried up together. This easy one-skillet meal is budget-friendly, ready in under 30 minutes, and loved by the whole family.
After making this homemade version countless times and tweaking my technique, I’ve perfected my method for achieving tender fried cabbage and plump, juicy sausage every time. Follow these simple steps to learn how to make the best fried cabbage and sausage right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients Needed
- Smoked sausage (kielbasa, andouille or bratwurst work great)
- Green or Savoy cabbage
- Yellow onion
- Red and green bell peppers (optional)
- Garlic
- Butter or olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Prep the vegetables
- Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut the cabbage into quarters and trim out the hard core. Thinly slice each quarter into strips.
- Peel and dice the onion. Seed and dice the bell peppers. Mince the garlic cloves.
Cook the sausage
- Cut the smoked sausage into 1/2 inch rounds.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the sausage coins and fry for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
- Remove the cooked sausage to a plate lined with paper towels.
Cook the aromatics
- Add 2 Tbsp butter or olive oil to the skillet.
- Once hot, add the diced onion and bell peppers.
- Sauté for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
Add the cabbage
- Add the sliced cabbage and minced garlic to the skillet.
- Season with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Optionally, add 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Sauté for 5-6 minutes, tossing frequently, until the cabbage starts to wilt.
Finish and serve
- Return the browned sausage to the skillet and mix with the cabbage.
- Cook for 1-2 more minutes until heated through.
- Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve warm right from the skillet alongside Skillet Cornbread or over white rice. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips for Perfect Results
- Use a large 12-inch nonstick skillet with a tight fitting lid. The lid helps steam and soften the cabbage.
- Don’t overcook the cabbage or it will get mushy. It should still have a bit of crunch.
- Andouille sausage packs the most flavor, but kielbasa and bratwurst also pair nicely with the cabbage.
- Chicken or turkey sausage can sub in for the pork sausage.
- Smoked paprika adds delicious flavor, but regular paprika works too.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheat well.
Now that you’re armed with my easy step-by-step guide, you can churn out this delicious one-pan cabbage and sausage dish any night of the week The combination of tender cabbage, juicy sausage, bell peppers, onion and spices is sure to satisfy. Adjust the spices to your taste and make this classic recipe your own!
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How to make fried cabbage with kielbasa?
Making fried cabbage with kielbasa is incredibly simple:
- First, we brown the bacon and kielbasa. This lets them release a lot of flavor into the oil, which makes the whole dish better.
- We add onions and garlic for an aromatic base.
- After that, add the cabbage, spices, a little tomato paste, and chicken broth.
- To make a tasty sauce, we scrape up the tasty brown bits from the pan.
- Next, we let everything simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Last, add the bacon and kielbasa back to the pan. Stir them around, and you’re done!
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO or follow along on YouTube.
Fried cabbage and kielbasa ingredients
- Kielbasa: This tasty smoked sausage gives the dish a garlicky flavor that makes it better. If unavailable, you can substitute for Andouille, bratwurst or chorizo.
- Bacon: Adds a salty-smoky taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Green cabbage: When sautéed, it becomes buttery and tender-crisp. The best cabbage is a small head or half of a large head; avoid cabbage that has already been cut.
- Vegetable oil: Use any type you have available for frying.
- Onion and garlic: Essential for enhancing flavor.
- Spices: smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and ground cumin mixed together
- There is a lot of flavor in tomato paste, which makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
- Chicken broth: Adds extra liquid to cook the cabbage down and make a tasty pan sauce.
- If you have time, try adding bell peppers or cauliflower to the cabbage to make it more interesting.
- Try different kinds of protein. For a tasty alternative, you can use ground pork or leftover rotisserie chicken.
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon and Sausage
FAQ
How do you make fried cabbage less gassy?
Can you eat fried cabbage & sausage?
You can eat this “as is”, but I highly recommend you serve fried cabbage and sausage over these 2 options: mashed potatoes – my absolute favorite. Load up a plate of creamy mashed potatoes and serve this dish on top of them. Perfection! egg noodles – my husband’s preferred way. Cook some egg noodles, put them on a plate and serve this on top.
Can you freeze cooked cabbage & sausage stir fry?
Simply slice the sausage and shred the cabbage, and you’ll be ready to cook. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Can you freeze cooked cabbage and sausage? Yes, you can freeze leftover cabbage and smoked sausage stir fry. Store in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How do you cook sausage & cabbage in a braiser?
Add shredded cabbage to the braiser, cover, and cook until cabbage is starting to wilt, but still crisp-tender. Season. Add diced tomatoes, cajun seasoning, salt to taste, and cooked sausage. Stir fry until cabbage has wilted and extra liquid has evaporated. How many carbs in sausage and cabbage?