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Grandma's Fried Cabbage & Summer Sausage
25 minutesEasyServes 4-6
This humble dish holds so many memories for me. Growing up, when money was tight but love was abundant, my grandmother would make magic with simple ingredients like cabbage and summer sausage. She'd say, \"Baby, it's not about having the fanciest ingredients—it's about putting your heart into what you cook.\" The way she'd caramelize those onions and let that cabbage get perfectly tender while the sausage added that smoky richness... it taught me that some of the most satisfying meals come from the simplest places.
Ingredients
- • 1 large head cabbage, chopped
- • 1 lb summer sausage, sliced
- • 2 large onions, sliced
- • 4 strips bacon, chopped
- • 3 tbsp olive oil
- • 2 tsp garlic powder
- • 1 tsp paprika
- • 1 tsp black pepper
- • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- 1. Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove bacon but leave the drippings in the pan.
- 2. Add olive oil to bacon drippings and heat over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until golden and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
- 3. Add summer sausage slices to the skillet and brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes total.
- 4. Add chopped cabbage to the skillet in batches if needed. It will seem like a lot but will cook down quickly.
- 5. Season with garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together.
- 6. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender and lightly caramelized.
- 7. Return crispy bacon to the skillet and stir to combine.
- 8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot as a main dish or hearty side.
Bre's Pro Tips
- • Don't rush the onions—let them get golden and sweet
- • Cut cabbage into bite-sized pieces for even cooking
- • Serve over rice or with cornbread for a complete meal
- • Add a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end for extra flavor