Old-Fashioned Southern Fried Cabbage Steaks

Crispy on the outside, tender and buttery inside

⏱ Time

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

🍽 Servings

4 servings

🧾 Ingredients

1 large green cabbage
4 tbsp butter (or bacon fat for authentic Southern flavor)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper
¾ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional but delicious)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Prepare the cabbage
- Remove outer leaves.
- Slice cabbage into ¾–1 inch thick rounds (steaks), keeping the core intact.
Season
- Brush both sides with olive oil.
- Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Pan-fry
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add butter (or bacon fat).
- Place cabbage steaks in the pan (do not overcrowd).
Cook
- Cook 6–8 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Lower heat slightly and cover for 2–3 minutes to soften the center.
Finish
- Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.
- Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve hot.

🥗 Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approx.)

Calories: 165 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Fiber: 4 g
Fat: 13 g
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 320 mg

(Values vary based on butter/cheese used)

🌰 Allergen Info

Dairy: Contains butter and Parmesan
Gluten-Free: Yes
Nut-Free: Yes
Vegetarian: Yes (unless bacon fat is used)

Q & A

Q: Can I bake this instead of frying?
✔ Yes! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping once.

Q: How do I make it vegan?
✔ Use olive oil or vegan butter and skip the cheese.

Q: Why is my cabbage soggy?
✔ Heat wasn’t high enough or pan was overcrowded. Use a wide skillet and medium-high heat.

Q: What pairs well with this?
✔ Fried chicken, meatloaf, cornbread, mashed potatoes, or black-eyed peas.

Q: Can I store leftovers?
✔ Yes, refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for best texture.

❤️ Southern Tip

For true old-school Southern flavor, cook the cabbage in bacon grease and finish with a splash of apple cider vinegar — that’s how grandma did it.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.