Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

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This fried cabbage and sausage skillet is a delicious, timeless recipe. Ready in 30 minutes or less, it’s a hearty meal that the whole family will love. The combination of smoky, slightly spicy sausage and tender, sweet cabbage makes a filling and flavorful dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week.

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Fried cabbage and sausage skillet is one of my go-to recipes when I need to make a quick dinner. It’s simple, flavorful, and comes together in no time. Plus, it highlights all the good things about cabbage and sausage and how well they go together. My family loves this cabbage and sausage dish with dinner rolls, rice, or mashed potatoes. 

Made with naturally low-carb and dairy-free ingredients this one-pan recipe is approved for keto, low-carb, paleo, and whole30 diets. Sausage recipes like this are exactly what you need to succeed with your dietary changes and get the results you want long-term.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients: This recipe calls for only a handful of common everyday ingredients. No special grocery runs needed.
• Short prep and cooking time: With only 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of active cooking time, you’ll have a warm, hearty dish on your dinner table for the whole family.
• Amazing flavors: This fried cabbage and sausage skillet bursts with amazing flavors. The cabbage soaks up all those delicious spices while the sausage adds a smoky, seasoned flavor.
• Family-friendly and kid-approved: The simplicity of the dish and the familiarity of the ingredients make this skillet dinner appealing to both adults and kids. Paired with bread or rice, it makes a healthy and balanced meal option for the whole family.
• Budget-friendly
• Easy-to-follow directions: In 4 easy steps, you can whip up this delicious fried cabbage and sausage skillet. The straightforward instructions make it perfect for both beginners and experienced cooks.

How to Make Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Get ready to make a cabbage and sausage skillet dinner recipe in just half an hour! Begin by heating the cooking fat in the skillet over medium-high heat. I always use butter or beef tallow for frying but if you prefer, use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil to keep this recipe dairy-free and paleo.

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions to make fried cabbage and sausage skillet.

Ingredients

• Butter or extra virgin olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bay leaf: This aromatic leaf adds a subtle layer of earthy, herbal notes that round out the dish’s flavor profile.
• Allspice powder: This seasoning brings a warm, slightly peppery flavor that enhances the overall taste, giving the dish a comforting, spiced kick.
• Green cabbage: Not a fan of the crunchy, rubbery texture of cabbage? Fried or braised cabbage is entirely different. It turns deliciously buttery and crisp-tender when sautéed, just like in this recipe.
• Salt
• Smoked sausage: I use smoked sausage, but feel free to use your favorites. Find a healthy option made from grass-fed beef or bison, pastured pork or free-range chicken or turkey. I recommend you order online from US Wellness Meats if you don’t have a local supplier or farm nearby to order from.

Step-By-Step Instructions

This quick and easy skillet dinner is almost effortless to make. Just follow the steps below and you can’t go wrong.

Step 1: Prepare the cabbage

Wash, dry, and thinly slice the cabbage. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the aromatics

Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onions to a large skillet first and cook for 4 minutes until soft. Next, add the garlic and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Stir in the allspice powder.

Add the cabbage to the skillet and mix well. Season with salt. Continue stir-frying until the cabbage is soft and the volume reduces by half. Stir to avoid burning and allow the ingredients to cook evenly

Step 3: Add the sausage

Slice smoked sausage into thin rounds and add to the pan. Continue cooking until the cabbage is completely tender and the sausage is slightly browned. Remove from heat and serve hot!

Variations

My husband and kids request this dish often, so I learned to be creative with it. Try these equally delicious recipe variations.

Cheese: Sprinkle the dish with a little bit of cheddar or mozzarella cheese to make a cheesy cabbage and sausage stir fry.

Vegetables: Add your other favorite vegetables. Green beans, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes are great options.

Meat: Instead of smoked sausage, use kielbasa, Italian, andouille, chicken, or turkey sausage. You can also use or add ground beef, ground turkey, or diced chicken for a protein-packed dinner. Sometimes I even top it with cooked crumbled bacon!

Expert Tips

• Cook the cabbage right: Cook the cabbage just until it’s tender with a slight bite. Overcooking can make it too soft and lose its natural sweetness. If you prefer the cabbage to be more tender, add a little water or chicken broth to the pan during the last couple of minutes of cooking the cabbage.
• Amp up the flavor: Fried cabbage and sausage skillet is already full of flavor, but if you like yours with more, add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, a sprinkle of creole or cajun seasoning, or a drizzle of red wine vinegar.
• Spice it up: Add some black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce to the recipe for an extra kick.
• Add some tang: If you enjoy a bit of tanginess, a splash of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar at the end of cooking can brighten the flavors and cut through the richness.

How to Store This Recipe

If preparing ahead, sliced sausage and chopped sausage can be refrigerated separately for up to 3 days. Place cooked leftovers in an airtight container or storage and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. Serve warm.

What to Serve with Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

There are so many ways to enjoy this fried cabbage and sausage dinner. It’s filling on its own but you can serve it with your choice of bread. Warm dinner rolls, psyllium husk bread, or a keto grilled cheese sandwich are some of our favorites.

We also love pairing this as a topping for white rice or egg noodles. For healthier options, I serve fried cabbage and sausage over cauliflower rice or veggie noodles.

More Easy Skillet Dinners To Try

Learning how to cook satisfying, healthy dinners is a game changer! It’s a big deal to finally find recipes that leave you feeling good after you eat them. Try these other quick and easy dinner meals and build your kitchen confidence.

• Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo
• Cheesy Keto Taco Skillet
• Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice
• Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
• Cheeseburger Skillet
• Vegetable and Ground Beef Skillet

More Cabbage Recipes

If you love your Instant Pot, try making Instant Pot cabbage and sausage instead. Keto cabbage soup is another easy recipe with cabbage. Here are a few more:

• Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
• Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Cabbage Noodles with Ground Beef

If you make this Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet, please leave a review to share your experience with others!