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Southern Soul Food Cooked Cabbage Recipe

This Southern Cooked Cabbage Recipe is made on the stove using butter, bacon or sausage, and garlic for immense flavor. This is the best soul food dish to serve for weeknight meals, holidays, or Sunday dinners.

southern cooked cabbage in a large pot with a wooden spoon
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There are so many ways to cook cabbage. You can fry it, steam, boil it, etc. The Southern method is simmered on the stove along with some amazing spices and broth.

andouille sausage, garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and fresh cabbage on a flat surface

How To Cut Cabbage?

Ensure you have a quality knife. Slicing cabbage definitely needs one.

Slice the cabbage in half to create 2 portions. Slice the core/stem out of both. Then slice each piece in half. You should have 4 smaller chunks of cabbage. From there, slice each into smaller strips.

fresh cabbage sliced into wedges on a cutting board
fresh cabbage sliced into wedges on a cutting board
fresh cabbage sliced into strips on a cutting board

What Type of Seasoning to Use

A few things I like to add for flavor: chicken broth, onions, garlic, andouille sausage, and butter. A lot of people will cook their cabbage in water. I add broth to just about anything (including collard greens) because it enhances the flavor, especially while simmering on the stove.

Onions and garlic are staples because they are so aromatic. Andouille sausage is a Southern staple. It’s often associated with Louisiana cuisine. It’s smoked sausage that is double smoked. You can even find andouille chicken sausage at Trader Joe’s.

Butter is used for obvious flavor and texture. When cooked in butter this cabbage will glide right off your spoon.

a collage of 4 photos with butter and sausage in a large pot

How to Make Southern Cabbage

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Slice the cabbage in half to create 2 portions. Slice the core/stem out of both. Then slice each piece in half. You should have 4 smaller chunks of cabbage. From there, slice each into smaller strips.
  2. Place a Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat.
  3. Add butter and sliced sausage. Cook for 3-4 minutes until both sides are cooked through.
  4. Add in the garlic and stir.
  5. Add the sliced cabbage and broth.
  6. Cover the pot and cook.
uncooked southern soul food cooked cabbage in a large pot

Cook Time/How Long to Cook

The cook time will vary based on how tender you like your cabbage. I like mine really tender, but not mushy. This takes 25-30 minutes. If you like for the cabbage to have some firmness and a bite, you can cook it for 15 minutes. Check in on it often (if it’s your first time making the recipe) and adjust accordingly.

How to Cook Cabbage Without it Smelling

I may be in the minority, but I love the smell of cooked cabbage and sausage. It smells like dinnertime and it gets my stomach rumbling.

If you don’t like it, you can try adding a teaspoon of white vinegar or a tablespoon of lemon juice to your pot when it cooks. You can read more about How to Get Rid of Cooked Cabbage Odor here.

southern soul food cooked cabbage in a large pot

How to Make it Without the Sausage

You can omit the sausage or substitute it for bacon, turkey bacon, etc if you wish.

You must pair cabbage with Homemade Southern Cornbread, Cornbread Muffins, Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread, or Homemade Blueberry Cornbread.

What to Serve With Southern Cabbage

Southern Mustard Greens
Southern Collard Greens
Southern Okra and Tomatoes
Southern Style Green Beans
Southern Baked Beans
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Scalloped Corn
Cornbread Casserole
Southern Black Eyed Peas
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

southern soul food cooked cabbage in a large pot with a wooden spoon

Main Dishes to Pair

Stuffed Turkey Legs
Baked Crab Legs
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
Baked Turkey Wings
Smothered Turkey Wings
Cajun Roasted Turkey
Smothered Chicken
Southern Chicken Spaghetti
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Air Fryer Honey Glazed Ham

Southern Baked Ham With Pineapple
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken

southern soul food cabbage in a white bowl sprinkled with pepper

How Long Will it Last in the Fridge

Cover and seal the cabbage. Store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze the cabbage for up to 8-9 months. Thaw the frozen cabbage overnight in the fridge.

a forkful of southern cabbage

You may also enjoy my Southern Fried Cabbage, Instant Pot Southern Cabbage, and Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipes.

Watch step by step video instructions here on Youtube.

southern soul food cooked cabbage in a large pot with a wooden spoon
Print Pin
5 from 6 votes

Southern Soul Food Cooked Cabbage Recipe

This Southern Cooked Cabbage Recipe is made on the stove using butter, bacon or sausage, and garlic for immense flavor. This is the best soul food dish to serve for weeknight meals, holidays, or Sunday dinners.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine soul food, Southern
Keyword soul food cabbage recipe, Southern cabbage, Southern style cabbage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 179kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 head fresh cabbage Mine weighed about 3 pounds
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6-7 ounces smoked sausage Sliced into rounds I use andouille.
  • 2 garlic cloves Minced
  • 1 1/2 cups broth Chicken, beef, or vegetable is fine. I used chicken.
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Slice the cabbage in half to create 2 portions. Slice the core/stem out of both. Then slice each piece in half. You should have 4 smaller chunks of cabbage. From there, slice each into smaller strips.
  • Place a Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat.
  • Add the butter and sliced sausage. Cook for 3-4 minutes until both sides are cooked through.
  • Add in the garlic and stir.
  • Add the sliced cabbage and broth. The cabbage will take up most of the room of the pot. It will wilt down when it cooks.
  • Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-30 minutes. The cook time will vary based on how tender you like your cabbage. I like mine really tender, but not mushy. This takes 25-30 minutes. If you like for the cabbage to have some firmness and a bite, you can cook it for 15 minutes. Check in on it often (if it’s your first time making the recipe) and adjust accordingly.
  • Open the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Taste repeatedly and adjust as necessary. Serve when cool.

Video

Notes

  • I like to use chicken sausage in this recipe. Use whatever you prefer.
  • You can omit the sausage or substitute it for bacon, turkey bacon, etc if you wish.
  • You can double or triple the recipe by doubling, tripling the ingredients. You may need to adjust the cook time. Check in frequently and use your judgment.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
5 from 6 votes
Recipe Rating




Nicole

Friday 7th of April 2023

I want to rate this recipe, because my dish turned out great!! But I didnโ€™t go by this recipe exactly, because I used this recipe as a basis to make a recipe a friendโ€™s mom, Annie, had given me years ago. All she gave me were the ingredients, but no instructions or measurements. So I went by this recipe for those details, and the dish turned out wonderfulโ€ฆbetter than other cabbage recipes I had tried.

The recipe variances wereโ€ฆ - Didnโ€™t use sausage or any meat - Instead of butter (I am dairy free), used mostly olive oil with some ghee added - Instead of fresh garlic, sauteed finally chopped sweet onion - Instead of salt, used garlic salt

The recipe turned out great, and I suspect will turn out great as made. Itโ€™s very forgiving and can be modified easily. Thank you so much for the great instructions and recipe!

Danna

Tuesday 4th of April 2023

My husband is a Stage 5 renal end disease patient. I have had the hardest time finding recipes that are actually good. My husband went nuts when I made this for him last night. He LOVED it! I will be making this once a week for him.

staysnatched

Wednesday 5th of April 2023

Glad to hear you will be making it once a week!

Matthew

Friday 29th of October 2021

It had been wanting this dish for a while and some previous attempts to go it alone did not turn out right. This was easy to make and tasty (even the leftovers got tastier!). Also easy clean up which was an added bonus since it didnt require many dishes.

staysnatched

Wednesday 3rd of November 2021

Easy clean up! That's always the best.

Kristy M

Monday 18th of October 2021

This was easy and has such a great flavor!

staysnatched

Friday 22nd of October 2021

I'm so glad to hear it!

Danielle

Sunday 17th of October 2021

Cabbage is cooking now. (I added some onions and peppers). Serving with Mississippi pot roast and red potatoes! Thank you Brandi!

staysnatched

Friday 22nd of October 2021

YUM! Such a great combo.