Fried Cabbage with Shrimp Sausage & Bacon Recipe To Savor
Fried cabbage with shrimp sausage and bacon provides Southern comfort food to life with a bold combination that satisfies any appetite.
Smoky, savory flavors meld beautifully in one skillet, creating a dish that feels both hearty and surprisingly light.
Weeknight dinners become something special when you serve up a meal that's ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like it took hours.
Leftovers rarely make it to the next day because everyone keeps coming back for seconds.
Budget-friendly meals don't have to be boring, and proving that point has never been easier.
If you need a recipe that hits you with maximum flavor with minimal fuss, look no further than what's waiting below.
Best Reasons To Try Fried Cabbage With Shrimp Sausage And Bacon
Full Ingredient List for Fried Cabbage with Shrimp
Protein Base:Vegetable Base:Cooking Liquids And Seasonings:Necessary Tools for Fried Cabbage With Shrimp Sausage And Bacon
Step-by-Step Instructions for Fried Cabbage With Shrimp and Bacon
Prepare Shrimp
Grab those 10-12 shrimp and toss them with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning until they’re nicely coated. Set them aside while you get everything else ready.
Crisp the Bacon
Fire up a large skillet over medium heat (set to 350°F). Toss in 5 slices of chopped bacon and cook until they’re deliciously crispy. Scoop the bacon onto a paper towel, but keep that tasty bacon grease in the pan.
Brown the Sausage
Drop 1 link of kielbasa (cut into 1/2 inch slices) into the skillet. Brown those slices for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Once they’re looking golden, pull them out and set them aside.
Cook the Shrimp
Slide those seasoned shrimp into the hot skillet. Cook them for 3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and get slightly curled. Transfer them to a waiting plate.
Build the Base Flavor
Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Toss in these ingredients:
Cook for 5-6 minutes until the onions turn soft and fragrant.
Add Garlic
Sprinkle in 2 cloves of minced garlic and let them dance in the pan for just 30 seconds. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Prepare Cabbage
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Add 3 cups of thinly sliced cabbage and toss everything to coat.
Cook Cabbage
Let the cabbage simmer for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want it tender but still with a bit of crunch.
Combine and Warm
Bring back the bacon, shrimp, and sausage to the skillet. Gently fold everything together so all the flavors mingle and everything gets warm.
Final Touch
Give the mixture a quick taste. Sprinkle in extra seasonings if you want more kick, then serve it up hot and enjoy!
Smart Tips For Fried Cabbage Shrimp Sausage Bacon
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Fried Cabbage With Shrimp Sausage Storage
Fried Cabbage With Shrimp, Sausage, and Bacon FAQs
Can I use different types of sausage?
Absolutely! Andouille, polish, or smoked sausage work great in this recipe. Just choose something with bold flavor that complements the other ingredients.
How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?
Shrimp turn from translucent to opaque pink and curl slightly when they’re done. Overcooking makes them tough, so watch carefully during those 3 minutes per side.
What if my cabbage becomes too watery?
Cook the cabbage uncovered and avoid adding extra liquid. Drain excess moisture if needed, and keep the heat at medium to help water evaporate during cooking.
Is this dish spicy?
The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from red pepper flakes and seasonings. You can reduce or eliminate the crushed red pepper if you prefer a milder version.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
While best served immediately, you can prep ingredients in advance and store separately. Reheat gently in a skillet to maintain the texture of the shrimp and keep everything from getting mushy.
Do I need a special skillet for this recipe?
A large cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet works best to distribute heat evenly and develop deep flavors from the bacon and sausage grease.
One-Skillet Fried Cabbage With Shrimp Sausage And Bacon Recipe
- Total Time: 34-36 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
Description
Fried Cabbage with Shrimp Sausage Bacon brings together a sizzling Southern-style skillet sensation that’ll make your taste buds dance. Hearty ingredients mingle perfectly, creating a satisfying one-pan meal packed with smoky, savory goodness.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 5 slices bacon
- 10 shrimp
- 1 link kielbasa sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 3 cups cabbage
- ½ cup yellow onions
- 2 cloves garlic
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Coat 10-12 peeled shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning in a small bowl. Set shrimp aside at room temperature.
- Place a large skillet on medium heat and add 5 slices of chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add 1 link of sliced kielbasa to the skillet. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes at medium heat. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Cook seasoned shrimp in the skillet for 3 minutes per side at medium heat. Remove shrimp and reserve.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add ½ cup chopped onions, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until onions soften.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Pour 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon butter into the skillet. Add 3 cups thinly sliced cabbage, tossing to coat evenly.
- Simmer cabbage for 12 minutes at medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until tender but slightly crisp.
- Return reserved bacon, shrimp, and sausage to the skillet. Gently fold ingredients together and warm for 2-3 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Always use fresh, crisp cabbage for the best texture and flavor in this hearty dish.
- Cook bacon first to render fat, which adds incredible depth and richness to the entire skillet meal.
- Watch your heat carefully when cooking shrimp to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
- For a lower-carb version, swap kielbasa for turkey sausage and reduce the amount of cabbage used in the recipe.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 29-31 minutes
- Category: Fried
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg




Sophie Lane
Recipe Developer
Expertise
Family-friendly Meals, Simple Healthy Cooking, Ingredient Substitutions, Beginner-friendly Recipes, Flexible Meal Prep
Education
- Program: Professional Cook Certificate
- Focus: Online culinary training covering knife skills, cooking techniques, and plant-based and modern cooking approaches.
Schoolcraft CollegeSophie brings a calm and flexible approach to Families With Purpose. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, she creates recipes that feel simple, clear, and easy to make at home. She focuses on family-friendly meals, healthy everyday cooking, ingredient swaps, and beginner-friendly ideas. Sophie helps make each recipe approachable and easy to follow, especially for busy families who need meals that can bend with the day.