Description
Sizzling “Fried Cabbage with Shrimp, Sausage & Bacon” brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with its hearty blend of flavors. Crispy bacon, spicy sausage, and succulent shrimp mingle perfectly with tender cabbage, offering a delightful one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- ½ pound (225 g) smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- ½ pound (225 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables:
- 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Render the bacon in a spacious cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until golden and crisp. Transfer the bacon pieces to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat for subsequent cooking stages.
- Introduce sliced smoked sausage to the residual bacon drippings, browning each piece until caramelized edges develop. Extract the sausage and place alongside the bacon.
- Sear the shrimp in the same skillet, cooking briefly until they transform from translucent to a vibrant pink hue with delicate curled edges. Remove and set with the other proteins.
- Melt butter in the skillet, then incorporate diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions become translucent and aromatic, releasing their sweet undertones.
- Introduce chopped cabbage to the skillet, seasoning generously with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss thoroughly to ensure even coating and allow the cabbage to wilt and caramelize.
- Reintroduce the reserved bacon, sausage, and shrimp to the cabbage mixture. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for an optional heat boost. Gently fold the ingredients together, allowing flavors to meld and proteins to reheat.
- Transfer the vibrant, protein-laden cabbage to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately, accompanied by rice or cornbread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Crisp up bacon slowly to render maximum fat and develop deep, rich flavor without burning.
- Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure beautiful golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of frying.
- Use high-quality smoked sausage for an extra layer of smoky complexity that enhances the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Consider reducing salt if using bacon and smoked sausage, as these ingredients already contribute significant saltiness to the recipe.
- For a lighter version, substitute regular bacon with turkey bacon and use lean chicken sausage to decrease overall fat content.
- Experiment with different cabbage varieties like Napa or Savoy for subtle texture and flavor variations.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end for bright acidity that cuts through the richness of meats.
- Gluten-free option: Verify sausage ingredients and use gluten-free seasonings to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg