Smothered Green Cabbage

Transform simple green cabbage into a comforting, flavor-packed side dish with this Smothered Green Cabbage recipe. Gently simmered with buttery sautéed onions, garlic, and the smoky richness of bacon or sausage, this dish achieves perfect tenderness as it soaks up a savory blend of chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. A hint of red pepper flakes adds optional heat, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end brightens every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or as a cozy holiday side, this one-pan recipe is ready in under an hour and pairs beautifully with roasted meats or cornbread. Packed with hearty flavors and seasonal charm, smothered green cabbage is a must-try twist on a classic comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head (about 2 lbs) green cabbage
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large (thinly sliced) yellow onion
• 3 cloves (minced) garlic
• 6 ounces (optional, sliced or diced) smoked sausage or bacon
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon (optional, for heat) red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons (chopped, for garnish) parsley

Directions

Step 1

Remove any tough outer leaves from the cabbage and cut it into quarters. Slice out the core from each quarter, then chop the cabbage into 1-inch pieces.

Step 2

Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and olive oil.

Step 3

Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

If using smoked sausage or bacon, add it to the skillet at this point. Cook until browned and slightly crisped, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 6

Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet, tossing to combine with the onions, garlic, and meat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cabbage starts to wilt.

Step 7

Pour in the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the cabbage simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 9

Once the cabbage is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 10

Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1563.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1240.5

Total Fat 94.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 195.1mg	0%
Sodium 4645.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 75.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.6g	0%
Total Sugars 37.7g
Protein 36.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 477.6mg	0%
Iron 7.9mg	0%
Potassium 2404.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.5%

Protein: 11.1%

Carbs: 23.3%