Black Folks Southern Cabbage Recipe
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Southern-style cabbage is the perfect comfort food for soul food folks who appreciate down-home cooking. Perfectly spiced with a blend of savory seasonings, this dish is ideal for any occasion.
What is Black folks’ Southern cabbage?
Black folks’ Southern fried cabbage is a delicious way to enjoy one of Southern America’s favorite vegetables and side dishes. My family’s recipe represents the authentic way to prepare a soul food cabbage dish, bursting with sweet and savory flavors.
This recipe promises no more bland leafy vegetables, infused with soul food flavors like butter, smothered in chicken stock, a dash of vinegar, and carefully selected seasonings for a warm, rich taste. So, whether you’re preparing a weekday meal or a soul food Sunday dinner, this dish is sure to satisfy!
Ingredients
This dish exemplifies the simplicity, warmth, and flavor profile that embody the essence of soul food cuisine and Southern charm. It effortlessly combines simple ingredients to create a delicious masterpiece!
My Black folks’ Southern cabbage recipe uses onion, garlic, broth, vinegar, generous amounts of salt and pepper, integral flavors, and seasonings characteristic of African American cooking, enhancing the taste of the cabbage. (Learn more about what to add to cabbage for flavor HERE.)
Measurements for the recipe can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Cabbage – A staple in Southern cuisine, this healthy vegetable becomes tender and absorbs flavors beautifully. Green and red cabbages have similar flavors despite their different colors, making them suitable substitutes for this recipe.
- Yellow onion – Essential for adding a hint of sweetness and depth, yellow onions are a cornerstone in creating savory dishes.
- Chicken broth – Elevates the dish with a rich, comforting base that softens the cabbage while soaking up the immense flavor. You can swap vegetable broth for chicken broth, which tastes just as good!
- Apple cider vinegar – Offers a subtle tanginess, enhancing the overall taste. Apple cider vinegar is less acidic than white vinegar, giving it a mellower taste and less tang.
- Butter – Melts into the cabbage, providing a silky, indulgent layer that complements its natural flavors.
- Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun seasoning) – Introduces a warm, bold profile typical of homemade recipes, adding instant Southern charm.
- Garlic powder – Brings a concentrated
- burst of flavor, making the dish more aromatic and palatable.
- Red pepper flakes – A spicy kick that elevates the dish’s warmth and complexity.
- Salt and black pepper – These seasoning staples fine-tune the dish’s flavors, ensuring a well-rounded and heartwarming meal.
Wanna try this recipe with bacon?
It’s not necessary, but many Southern cooks like adding meat to this dish. The most commonly used options are ham hocks, smoked turkey legs, smoked sausage, or cooked bacon.
Check out my recipe for the best Southern fried cabbage with bacon HERE!
How many servings will one head of cabbage make?
This recipe calls for one chopped head of cabbage and generously serves six people.
How to make Southern cabbage
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability, making it easy for anyone to master the art of cooking cabbage. All you need to do is place the chopped cabbage and all the ingredients into a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet, then simmer. This will result in a flavorful Southern cabbage dish, a comfort food and side dish staple in many Southern kitchens.
Step-by-step instructions with guided pictures can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Chop the cabbage, removing the core and coarsely chopping the leaves.
- Melt the butter in the skillet, then add the chopped cabbage and all other ingredients.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer.
- Afterward, cook uncovered, serve, and enjoy!
Southern-style cabbage can be cooked much faster using a pressure cooker. Get my Instant Pot quick-to-cook cabbage recipe HERE!
🎙Listen to The Soul Food Pod episode: Best Southern Cabbage Recipes
Keep the podcast conversation going about the best Southern cabbage recipes HERE!
How to know when soul food cabbage is done
The cabbage is ready when the simmer has softened both the leaves and the onions. To check for doneness, carefully taste a bite of the cabbage (be cautious, as it will be hot!). If the leaves are very tender, the cabbage is done!
What to serve with cooked Southern cabbage
Fried cabbage is a classic Southern dish that pairs well with a variety of options, such as corned beef and cabbage, candied yams, creamy mashed potatoes, or baked macaroni and cheese.
You can learn more about what to serve with fried cabbage HERE.
Storing leftovers
To store fresh cabbage, wrap it tightly in plastic and keep it in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to two weeks.
Cooked cabbage can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. If you wish to freeze it, place it in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn. However, cooked cabbage should only be frozen for up to 3 months to maintain its nutritional value and flavor.
Is fried cabbage healthy?
It’s astonishing how something as simple as cabbage can be transformed into a heartwarming meal. Low in carbs, high in fiber, and rich in antioxidants, Southern-style cooked cabbage is both healthy and delicious! This nutritious dish is also packed with vitamins C and K.
Equipment
- Large cast iron skillet or frying pan with a lid
Ingredients
- 4 pound cabbage 3-4 pound cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth or use vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup butter unsalted or vegan butter
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut out the cabbage's core and coarsely chop the leaves using a food processor or knife. (I remove the outer layer of cabbage leaves first and discard them before chopping.)
- Turn the stovetop on medium and add the butter to the cast iron frying pan skillet.
- Once the butter has melted, add the chopped cabbage, onion, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
- Cover the pan with a lid and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the lid from the skillet and cook the cabbage uncovered for about 15 minutes, careful not to let all the broth evaporate so the cabbage is not dry.
- When cooking is finished, serve this Southern dish right away and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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Thanks for the recipe! Using the instant pot will be a lifesaver after working all day!
Sounds good
This is now my go to cabbage recipe.
Thank You for this recipe!
Thank for recipe awesome
I love cabbage and this recipe sounds so easy with lots of good yummy ingredients to use.
I love this recipe!
Thank you for this recipe!
I love cabbage anyway it is fixed. This recipe looks delicious.
Great recipe the ingredients used to make it taste yummy.
What I like to do in addition is add some smoked or andouie sausage to it with some hot water cornbread
Thank you for sharing this recipe!
This is so tasty! Only one question – if cooking in the instant pot is there a way to obtain a firmer texture to the cabbage the firmer side. I just let the instant pot do the natural release – maybe I waited too long.
So glad you enjoyed the flavor of this Southern cabbage recipe! While I haven’t tried it this way yet, you could cook for 1 minute less in the Instant Pot to achieve a firmer texture.
Because I have a Duo Nova I had add more chicken stock because these little Instant Pots love to say there’s a burn or food stick, but it still worked great from the recipe despite that. YUM!
I made this tonight. This is pure comfort food to me. My mouth and stomach are so happy you posted this Cooked Cabbage recipe!! So Instant Pot easy!! Thank you, Shaunda!!