Whole30 Cabbage with Bacon
If you love cabbage and can’t live without bacon, you’re going to love this Whole30 cabbage and bacon recipe. Sautéed with compliant bacon and a blend of herbs and spices, it’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
I followed the Whole30 program for all of April 2021 and I’m really glad I did. If you are thinking of doing Whole30, my advice to you is to plan your meals as much as you can before you start.
Even though I ate a lot of vegetables, this cabbage and bacon recipe was a staple for me. I’ve been making this recipe for many years but I wasn’t sure I’d be able to have it on the program, but when I found compliant bacon at Trader Joe’s, I rejoiced.
This recipe is also paleo-friendly.
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Helpful tips
- Previously, I made this dish with both green cabbage and purple cabbage. The purple cabbage is a tad sweeter but the two varieties taste basically the same.
- This cabbage dish can be refrigerated for at least 7 days but it probably won’t last that long as it’s so delicious.
- I usually make this recipe with three pieces of bacon but I’ve also made it with four. Use as many as you like.
- Cut the bacon in half before frying it. The reason I do is that the bacon fries flatter when cut in half, which means it will cook more evenly.
- Depending on how fatty the bacon is and how much grease it produces, you may have to add a little olive oil to your pan when you’re ready to add and sauté the cabbage. Do so without any guilt.
How to make Whole30 cabbage with bacon
Pre-step
Get a medium stockpot or Dutch oven.
Step one
Get the ingredients – a medium head of cabbage, onion, bacon, oregano, cumin, chipotle powder, and garlic. (A)
Step two
Chop the onion into small chunks, and mince the garlic. (B)
Step three
Cut the cabbage into slices and then chop it into smallish chunks.
Step four
Heat the stockpot or Dutch oven on medium/low heat and once it heats up, add the bacon.
Step five
Fry the bacon until it is crispy. It usually takes around 6 minutes. The photo below shows the bacon partially cooked. (C)
Remove from the pan and transfer to a plate with a paper towel. Blot excess grease and set aside.
Step six
Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 3 minutes. It will just start to become translucent. Make sure you scrape the bacon flavor crystals from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon as you cook the onion. (D)
Step seven
If you need to add some olive oil at this point, do so. I have to add oil half the time mainly because the bacon wasn’t fatty and didn’t produce enough grease. You need some fat, oil or even a touch of broth to finish the recipe.
Step eight
Add the cabbage and mix it together with the partially cooked onion. (E)
Step nine
Add the herbs and spices, salt, and minced garlic. (F) Mix together again and cover the pan but leave a gap. You want the cabbage to steam somewhat but not too fast.
Step ten
Sauté for 20 – 25 minutes. The bigger the cabbage, the longer it will take.
Stir the cabbage stir fry occasionally as it is cooking.
It’s done. Now crumble the bacon in it.
Look at how crispy that bacon looks.
Mix the bacon in the cabbage. I like to transfer this side dish to a serving bowl.
Time to serve the cabbage.
I hope you enjoyed this Whole30 cabbage with bacon recipe. It’s so delicious.
Other Whole30 dishes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Whole30 Cabbage with Bacon
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon (no sugar added compliant – cut in half. 3 or 4 pieces.)
- 1 head cabbage (medium – thinly sliced and then chopped in smallish chunks)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 teaspoons oregano (ground)
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
Instructions
- Heat the Dutch oven on medium / low heat. Once it heats up, add the bacon and fry until crispy (around 6 minutes.)3 slices bacon
- Take the bacon out of the pan and add it to a plate that is lined with a paper towel. Blot the grease off the bacon and set aside.
- Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes, until the onion starts to become translucent. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan as you cook the onions. You want to get all the flavor crystals from the bacon.1 medium onion
- (On a side note, if you need to add a little olive oil, do so now.) Add cabbage and mix with a spatula.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 head cabbage
- Add the oregano, cumin, chipotle powder, garlic, and salt. Mix together again.2 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 cloves garlic
- Cover the pan but leave a little gap so steam can be released. Cook the cabbage for 20 – 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Take the pan off the heat and crumble the bacon over the cabbage. Mix again to incorporate it together.
- Transfer to a serving dish.
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- I have made this dish with both green cabbage and purple cabbage. The purple cabbage is a tad sweeter but they taste basically the same.
- This cabbage dish can be refrigerated for at least 7 days but it probably won’t last that long as it’s so delicious.
- I usually make this recipe with three pieces of bacon but I’ve also made it with four. Use as many as you like.
- Cut the bacon in half before frying it. The reason I do that is because the bacon fries flatter when cut in half which means it will cook more evenly.
- Depending on how fatty the bacon is and how much grease it produces, you may have to add a little olive oil once you add the cabbage. Do so without any guilt.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to crafting delightful dishes and cocktails, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Well. If there’s a diet out there that involves bacon and cabbage, I’m totally in! IMHO, cabbage does not get enough credit for being one amazing vegetable.
I agree, Bernice!! Thanks so much for your comment.
I love cabbage and bacon! This recipe is great with the little bit of heat from the chipotle pepper powder – yum!!
Thanks so much Lauren! 🙂 I appreciate it. I wish I could make it ‘spicier’ but alas, hubby is eating it too.
I looove crunchy cabbage! I’m making this with a combination of regular and purple cabbage and it’s going to be so good!
Ooooo, yes, that is going to be good. I’ve never made it with both. I must try it. Thanks Liz!
You’ve read my mind. Take a meal that my kids may not always freely eat and then add bacon! That will win them over for sure. This whole30 cabbage with bacon sounds great. I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you Anneke! I hope you all enjoy it. All my nieces and nephews eat it readily!
Such a versatile side dish! If it has bacon on it, you know it’s going to just disappear from the table in a snap 😉
Hehe. Yes! That’s what happens in our house and there are only two of us. 😉 Thanks Marie!
This Whole30 cabbage and bacon recipe was a good side that everyone seemed to enjoy. I loved the textures and flavors and will be making this again! Have a great day!
Thanks Heidy! I’m pleased to hear that you all enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know!
This recipe is definitely a winner. It is my favorite way to eat cabbage. The bacon and onion add so much flavor.
Thanks so much Katie!
This is a recipe that’s withstood the test of time. I remember my German MIL talking about her younger days and eating lots of fried cabbage and bacon. It’s been years since I made some and your post inspired me to make this simple dish again. Luckily we do have two Trader Joe close-by with the right bacon. We had the cabbage with bacon last night with some chicken sausage. So good! We aren’t dieting but this is the type of dish all family members can enjoy. Will be making it again soon.
Thanks Marisa! My grandmother was German and she made something similar to this a lot too. I just love it and it brings back memories.
This sounds truly delicious, Elaine, and I’m not even always a cabbage fan! Serve it up to me with some bacon, though, and I am SOLD!
Hehe. Thanks Monica! Hubby is a big fan, although it took him years to love it. 🙂
This dish looks tasty and something quick and easy to make, perfect for those busy days.
Thanks Moop! Yes! It’s very quick and easy.