Southern New Year's Smothered Cabbage

Ring in the new year with a dose of Southern comfort by preparing this hearty and flavorful Southern New Year's Smothered Cabbage. This classic dish combines tender strips of green cabbage, infused with smoky notes from crispy bacon, sautéed onions, and garlic, all simmered to perfection in a tangy blend of chicken broth and apple cider vinegar. Seasoned with smoked paprika and optional red pepper flakes for a gentle kick, this savory recipe is a symbol of prosperity and good luck in Southern tradition. Easy to prepare in just under an hour, it’s a soul-warming side dish or main course that pairs beautifully with cornbread and black-eyed peas. Perfect for your holiday table or any time you crave a taste of Southern comfort, this dish is rich, buttery, and irresistibly satisfying.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 head (medium, about 2-3 lbs) Green cabbage
• 6 slices Bacon
• 1 medium, finely diced Yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced Garlic
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (or to taste) Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon (optional) Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the cabbage by removing any damaged outer leaves. Cut the cabbage in half, then into quarters, and remove the tough core from each piece. Slice the quarters into thick strips, about 1/2-inch wide. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until it is crispy and the fat has rendered, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Step 3

Pour off most of the bacon grease from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons to cook the vegetables.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the sliced cabbage to the pan, tossing to coat it in the rendered fat and onions. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt down.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 7

Season the cabbage with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and flavorful.

Step 9

Once the cabbage is cooked, stir in the unsalted butter for a rich finish and toss in the crumbled bacon.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving the smothered cabbage hot as a side dish or main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1593.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	700.0

Total Fat 30.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 78.5mg	0%
Sodium 3935.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 82.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.6g	0%
Total Sugars 41.9g
Protein 36.6g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 532.5mg	0%
Iron 7.7mg	0%
Potassium 2660.1mg	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: 36.5%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 44.0%