In search of something to go with fried cabbage? Look no further than this cheap dinner idea packed full of vegetables and flavor.
Instead of relying on fried cabbage as a side dish, we turned it into a one-pan meal.
If you want a cheap and easy dinner idea, try making southern fried cabbage with kielbasa.
This delicious dish starts with cabbage of course, what to serve with it is completely up to you!
I like making this as a one-pan meal so I mix it all together. One popular way to prepare it is with bacon grease and I can’t argue with that flavor.
But for this recipe, I’m going with kielbasa instead. My kids love it when I make sheet pan kielbasa and vegetables too, so why not?.
Sausage and cabbage is a classic comfort food combo that’s hearty, flavorful and budget-friendly This tasty one-skillet meal featuring tender cabbage and savory sausage is simple to make but delicious.
To round out the meal, you’ll want some fantastic side dishes that complement the flavors of the sausage and cabbage. The right sides can take this simple supper to the next level, adding extra flavors, textures, colors and nutrition.
In this article I’ll suggest 16 of my favorite sides to serve with sausage and cabbage. From classic potato dishes to unexpected salad, these recipes will make your meal complete. Keep reading for my top recommendations!
Benefits of Serving Sides with Sausage and Cabbage
Here are some of the benefits of pairing sides with your sausage cabbage skillet:
- Adds extra flavors and textures to balance out the dish
- Allows you to incorporate different food groups into your meal
- Provides color variety to create a beautiful plate
- Lets you customize your plate based on your tastes or diet
- Offers a fun way to use up leftover veggies or starches
- Satisfies by making the meal feel hearty and complete
Even though sausage and cabbage on its own is delicious, taking it up a notch with complementary sides makes your dinner so much more enjoyable.
16 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Sausage and Cabbage
From starchy classics to fresh veggies, here are my picks for the very best side dishes to serve along with sausage and cabbage:
1. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, smooth mashed potatoes are a no-brainer side for soaking up the delicious pan juices from the sausage and cabbage. Russets or Yukon golds both work great and pair nicely with the flavors.
2. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
For a healthier twist, baked sweet potato fries add a touch of natural sweetness along with crispy texture next to the tender cabbage.
3. Roasted Red Potatoes
The rich flavors of the sausage and cabbage pair beautifully with simple roasted red potatoes. Toss them in olive oil, garlic and rosemary.
4. Mac and Cheese
What’s better than carbs with carbs? Creamy, cheesy macaroni makes the ultimate comfort food side to sausage and cabbage.
5. Glazed Carrots
For some color on your plate, make honey or brown sugar glazed carrots. The natural sweetness balances the saltiness of the sausage.
6. Southern-Style Green Beans
Green beans sautéed with bacon and onions give you that classic Southern flair to complement cabbage and sausage.
7. Cornbread
Moist, golden cornbread with a hint of sweetness is an ideal pick for soaking up the flavorful pan juices.
8. dinner rolls
Fresh from the oven, soft yeast dinner rolls are perfect for dunking into the rich gravy from the cabbage and sausage.
9. Fried Apples
For a delicious fall twist, make fried or sautéed apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of sugar to contrast the savory cabbage.
10. glazed beets
If you want some color, roast beets and then toss them with a sweet glaze for a tangy, earthy side dish.
11. German Potato Salad
Potato salad with bacon gives you savory flavors and tender potato chunks to complement the hearty cabbage and sausage.
12. Braised red cabbage
For double the cabbage, make a sweet and tangy braised red cabbage side. The slight bitterness pairs nicely.
13. Sauerkraut
As another traditional German side, sauerkraut’s salty tanginess stands up well to the bold sausage flavor.
14. Spaetzle or egg noodles
Buttery spaetzle or egg noodles add comfort and soaks up the flavorful gravy perfectly.
15. Skillet Cornbread
For convenience, bake cornbread right in the same cast iron skillet after cooking the cabbage and sausage.
16. cabbage slaw
Give your meal crunch with a fresh cabbage slaw dressed in a zesty vinaigrette.
Tips for Serving the Perfect Sides
Here are some useful tips to ensure your sides pair perfectly with the main dish:
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Choose sides that offer contrasting flavors, like sweet with the savory cabbage and sausage.
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Mix soft and crunchy textures, like mashed potatoes and green beans.
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Vary the colors on the plate for visual appeal.
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Cook sides ahead then reheat to avoid last minute stress.
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Keep sides simple to let the cabbage and sausage star.
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Pick dishes that complement the cuisine, like German potato salad.
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Consider servings and scale sides to feed the right number.
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Don’t forget bread or rolls to enjoy with any pan juices or gravy.
Serving up the perfect side dishes with sausage and cabbage elevates this simple one-pot meal into a complete, hearty and satisfying dinner.
Varying the flavors, colors and textures makes for a beautiful plate and a more enjoyable eating experience. Try out some of my favorite combinations like cheesy potatoes, glazed veggies, creamy pasta and fresh slaws.
These side dish ideas add balance to the meal and require minimal extra effort. With the right sides, you can turn budget-friendly sausage and cabbage into a fabulous comfort food feast.
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How to make Southern Fried Cabbage with Sausage
Begin by heating half the butter or oil over medium heat.
Then, add carrots, onions and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Add the balsamic vinegar, the rest of the butter and stir in the smoked sausage to brown.
After sautéing most of the veggies and meat in butter, add the cabbage last and let it simmer.
The challenge here will be having a skillet that is big enough to hold all that goodness.
Season with a bit of paprika and red pepper flakes.
After that, add the green cabbage little by little, letting it wilt before adding more.
Once your cabbage reaches your desired consistency, serve immediately and enjoy!
This meal made with sausage and cabbage is my favorite way to use chopped cabbage.
And if you can believe it, my kids love it too!
Fried Cabbage Meal Ingredients
To make this easy dinner, you just need a large skillet and a few simple ingredients.
You can add to or change the vegetables on this list if you need to use another one that you have in the fridge.
Shopping List:
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Onion
- Garlic
- Butter (or olive oil)
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Paprika
- Smoked Sausage (kielbasa)
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Cabbage is such a hearty veggie. I love cooking with it.
I love to fry it up because you get all that yummy tender cabbage without it getting mushy.
FRIED CABBAGE, SAUSAGE, and POTATOES Recipe | One Skillet Meal | Easy Dinner or Lunch Meal Idea
What to eat with sausage & cabbage?
The best side dishes to serve with sausage and cabbage are mashed potatoes, lentils and rice, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato fries, buttered noodles, honey glazed carrots, garlic bread, blooming onion, potato salad, applesauce, sauerkraut, creamed corn, Caesar salad, and grilled beets. Now, let’s get cooking! 1.
What is cabbage soup diet?
It is one of the fad diet followed in 1980’s. To attain quick weight loss this diet gained popularity. It is basically including large quantities of cabbage soup the whole day for a week. There is a regime to include 1 or 2 low calorie foods along with cabbage soup. It is basically a low calorie diet with lack of many nutrients. Weight loss can be achieved but regained after going back to routine diet.
What goes well with fried cabbage & sausage?
Pan-fried cabbage and sausage complement each other so well. The cabbage soaks in all the flavors of the sausage and spices creating a meal everyone will love. Served with a side of my Skillet Honey Cornbread for a southern comfort food family favorite. Fried cabbage and sausage skillet is a hearty dish the whole family will love.
Can you cook fried cabbage with sausage?
Fried cabbage with sausage is a simple, quick recipe. But, there are cautions that you need to heed. Specifically, don’t cook the cabbage too long unless you like soggy, limp cabbage. As for me, I like my fried cabbage lightly cooked and still a bit firm and crunchy. Just like broccoli, if you cook cabbage too long, it will be wilted and soggy.
What to eat with fried cabbage?
Here are 16 delicious and easy-to-make side dishes that complement fried cabbage perfectly. The best dishes to serve with fried cabbage are smothered pork steaks, baked chicken, hot water cornbread, and corned beef. You can also try pierogi, Shepherd’s pie, roasted kielbasa and potatoes, and BBQ meatloaf. You can also use fried cabbage for haluski.
What to eat with smoked sausage?
Cabbage and sausage is a comfort food that’s perfect for your weeknight roster. This recipe combines well-seasoned smoked sausage with the unsung hero of the vegetable world: cabbage! The cabbage cooks with onion and simple seasonings until it is meltingly tender, then it’s tossed with the cooked sausage, and served.