Talk about flavor; this simple BBQ braised cabbage with bacon is bursting with it! Whether you serve it as a side next time you barbecue or pile it on a pulled pork sandwich or burger for flare, you won’t regret it. Naturally gluten-free.
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A couple of years ago I had the most amazing sandwich at one of my favorite local breweries. Shout out to Free State Brewing Co. 😍
Ok, that’s not entirely true. To be honest the sandwich wasn’t all that amazing but it was stacked with BBQ braised cabbage and that my friends, was AMAZING!!
It was so delightfully scrumptious the next week I went to work recreating it. And let me tell you, I’ve got it down.
If you typically don’t like cabbage, don’t worry, this braised cabbage is so darn flavorful you’ll forget all about the fact you’re eating it (cabbage that is).
And hey, you even get some points for eating healthy. Ok, that’s a bit of a stretch. While cabbage is healthy on its own, I’m not sure it’s all that good for you once it’s cooked in bacon grease, doused in barbecue sauce, and has bits of bacon stirred in.
Although it may not be good for you, it is oh so good.
As I mentioned before it’s not only got bacon in it, but the veggies are sautéed in bacon grease. Double bacon-y goodness for the win.
And true to its name, braised with your choice of barbecue sauce, meaning it can be smoky, sweet, spicy, or all of the above.
Braising the cabbage in the bacon grease and barbecue sauce makes it incredibly rich in flavor and tender to boot.
This dish is so great because it can be served as a side or you can layer it on a burger or barbecue sandwich: pulled pork, brisket, chicken, etc. And because it’s so versatile, easy, and delicious it’s a great dish to share next at a barbecue/cookout.
Ingredients (+ notes & substitutions)
- Thick-cut bacon
- White onion: You may slice it or dice it.
- Garlic: As always feel free to add more garlic if you wish.
- Red cabbage: A medium head of cabbage weighs approximately two pounds and will yield about eight cups of shredded cabbage. A little more or less will not hurt.
- Chicken broth
- Barbecue sauce: Any barbecue sauce will do, so use your favorite! Sweet, spicy, smoky; they all work! Beware that some of them do contain gluten, so make sure to read the label first if you wish to keep this dish gluten-free.
- Kosher salt
How to make bbq braised cabbage with bacon (+ tips)
1. Heat a Dutch oven or large sauté pan (with a lid) over medium-high heat.
2. Add the bacon and cook for 8-10 minutes or until crispy. Transfer the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined surface. **Remove excess grease as needed.
3. Add the onions and sauté for 2-4 minutes until the onions have softened and are translucent. Then add the garlic and sauté an additional one minute.
4. Add the cabbage and sauté for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in the chicken broth, bacon, barbecue sauce, and salt.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until cabbage has softened and liquid has mostly evaporated. Serve warm.
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to five days.
FAQ
Braising is a method of cooking meat and/or vegetables that uses both dry and wet heat. Typically it consists of first pan searing or sautéing said meat/vegetables followed by simmering in a small amount of liquid in a pot covered with a tightly fitted lid. Braising is ideal for cooking tough cuts of meat such as brisket and pork shoulder as well as many veggies including carrots, green beans, onions, and cabbage. Successful braising results in tender meat/vegetables and a thick sauce that is bursting with flavor; the two coming together in perfect harmony.
Recommended Products
More summer side dishes you may enjoy:
- BBQ Brisket Mac and Cheese: Calling all barbecue lovers!!! This rich and creamy brisket mac and cheese is loaded with smoky cheddar, jalapeno, brisket, your favorite barbecue sauce, and bacon then topped with crispy onions and baked to perfection.
- Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad: This crowd-pleasing creamy pesto pasta salad with artichokes, black olives, tomatoes, and red onion is super easy and can be thrown together in just 20 minutes. Naturally vegetarian.
- French Onion Potatoes (Roasted or Grilled): These easy, versatile, and flavorful French onion seasoned potatoes can be roasted or grilled making them a great gluten-free side dish for your next barbecue or a weeknight dinner.
If you make this bbq braised cabbage with bacon I’d love your feedback. Please leave a comment and/or a rating below as I greatly value your opinion. Or snap a pic and tag me on Instragram @taoofspiceblog. Love, light, and happy cooking ya’ll ♥
BBQ Braised Cabbage w/ Bacon
Talk about flavor! This easy BBQ braised cabbage with bacon is bursting with it. Whether you serve it as a side next time you barbecue or pile it on a pulled pork sandwich or burger for flare, you won't regret it.
Ingredients
- 6 slices of thick-cut bacon, cut lengthwise into 1/2" pieces
- 1 medium/large white onion, sliced or diced
- 4-5 cloves galic, minced
- 1 medium ( ~2 lbs.) head of cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (about 8 cups)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup your choice of barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat a dutch oven or large sauté pan to medium-high heat.
- Add the bacon and cook for 8-10 minutes or until crispy. Transfer using a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined surface.
- Add the onions and garlic to the Dutch oven/sauté pan and sauté for 2-4 minutes or until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Add the cabbage and sauté another five minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the chicken broth, bacon, barbecue sauce, and salt.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes or until cabbage has softened and most of the liquid has mostly evaporated. Serve warm.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 7 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 132Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 1026mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 5g
The nutritional information provided is computer generated. It is only an estimate and intended for informational purposes only. Nutrition details may vary depending on various factors such as origin, freshness of ingredients, etc
Jenny
Monday 24th of January 2022
This braised cabbage recipe is lovely! It is easy and fuss-free; I loved the simplicity of it. I thought it was the perfect side dish to my slow-cooked short ribs. Really delicious.
Marie
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
I love braised cabbage and only one thing could make it better: a ton of bacon!! This is a truly addictive side dish I'd be happy to have a bowlful of. I'll make sure to double the recipe next time I make it for friends because I know it'll disappear in a flash!
Naiby
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
This is a perfect side dish! Sometimes, I don't think of adding one to my main meals. Plus, it's so easy to make. The color of the cabbage is so lovely.
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
We love red cabbage and this was very tasty with the bacon and bbq sauce! Great side!
Healing Tomato
Saturday 22nd of January 2022
What a wonderful use of cabbage! I am sure this braised cabbage is going to be a staple at all my outdoor parties. I think it would be great as a burger topping too, right?