This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the perfect keto, low-carb side dish! At just 3.9 net carbs per serving, this one-pan side dish will be your new favorite!
When I transitioned to a low-carb lifestyle, I had a pretty hard time finding side dishes that were keto-friendly. At first glance, so many traditional side dishes — such as baked potatoes, fries, chips, pasta salads and even some vegetable-based sides — were no longer an option.
So what is left? Just salads? That’s what I thought at first too. But truthfully there are so many more low-carb side dishes out there!
This Southern fried cabbage with baconis a quick and easy keto side dish that is naturally low carb. You don’t need to have any hard to find ingredients with this dish, just a few very basic ingredients gives you the perfect keto comfort food!
Ingredients for Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Pan fried cabbage is one of my favorite keto sides because it requires so few ingredients. Here’s all that goes into the fried cabbage with bacon and onions:
- Cabbage
- Onion
- Bacon
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Bacon
What Kind of Cabbage Should I Use?
I used a head of green cabbage for this recipe. Don’t use purple cabbage as it has a slightly different taste and texture.
What Kind of Bacon Should I Use?
Use any bacon you’d like! I used a classic pork bacon, but you may use your favorite type.
How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This is one of my favorite low-carb side dishes! It’s so easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor.
Here’s an overview of how this simpleketo side dish recipe is made:
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp.
- When crisp, remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Drain off all of the bacon grease except 1 tablespoon and set aside for later.
- Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease and sauté until caramelized.
- Add 1 tablespoon of bacon grease back to the skillet, then add the cabbage salt, pepper and paprika.
- Cook the cabbage until it has reduced and is tender enough for your liking.
- Add the chopped bacon and serve immediately.
Is Fried Cabbage Keto-Friendly?
Yes! Cabbage is a staple in my keto diet. It is naturally low in carbs and can be prepared so many ways.
This keto fried cabbage recipe makes four servings, approximately 3/4 cup each. However, if you like your cabbage super tender and cook it until it reduces greatly, the serving size will be smaller.
Per serving this recipe has 14 grams of fat, and 3.9 net carbs per serving.
What to Serve with Fried Cabbage
Fried cabbage is a traditional southern side dish. While it can be served with just about anything, it pairs especially well with bold flavors like Blackened Chicken.
Some other recipes that go well with pan fried cabbage and bacon are:
More Easy Keto Sides:
When adapting to a low carb diet it can be difficult to give up those old favorites! I’ve tried my best to come up with some keto friendly sides that mimic classic side dishes.
These Crispy Keto Zucchini Fries are one of my favorites! Zucchini is cut into fry shapes and then breaded in an almond flour parmesan breading that has a hint of ranch to it. It goes great with everything!
Another keto side dish that we love are these Keto Zucchini Breadsticks. If you love cheesy bread this recipe is for you! Served with low carb marinara it satisfies those pizza cravings! It also works great as a low carb appetizer.
Some other recipes include:
Fried Cabbage with Bacon (keto + low carb)
Annie
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the perfect keto, low carb side dish! At just 3.9 net carbs per serving this one pan side dish will be your new favorite!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dinner, One Pan
Cuisine Keto
Servings 4
Calories 171 kcal
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut bacon chopped
- 4 cups cabbage chopped
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp. When crisp remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate.
Drain off all of the bacon grease except 1 tablespoon and set aside for later.
Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease and sauté 7-10 minutes over medium heat until the onion caramelizes.
Add 1 tablespoon of bacon grease back to the skillet, add the cabbage salt, pepper and paprika.
Cook the cabbage for 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally until it has reduced and is tender enough for your liking.
Add the chopped bacon and serve immediately.
Notes
Net carbs are 3.9 g per serving
Nutrition
Serving: 3/4 cupCalories: 171kcalCarbohydrates: 6.3gProtein: 4.8gFat: 14.4gCholesterol: 21.5mgSodium: 206mgFiber: 2.4g
Keyword keto fried cabbage, keto side dish, southern fried cabbage
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
FAQs
Cabbage is delicious when stuffed into keto fajitas, used in soups, or made into coleslaw with a rich, creamy high-fat dressing that's keto-friendly. It has 2 grams of net carbs per cup shredded, so you can eat a lot in one sitting without falling out of ketosis, says Dixon.
How many carbs does fried cabbage have? ›
Iron Skillet Fried Cabbage (3 oz) contains 5g total carbs, 3g net carbs, 3g fat, 1g protein, and 50 calories.
How much cabbage can I eat on keto? ›
One bowl of cabbage (89 grams) contains four grams of total carbs, and two grams of fiber, resulting in a net carb count of two grams. This low carb count means you can eat unlimited cabbage without being knocked out of ketosis. So if you're a lover of cabbage, you'll be glad to know you can eat as much as you want.
What are the best low carb vegetables for keto diet? ›
Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy veggies are extremely low in carbs, making them excellent for keto. They're also rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (45). In particular, dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens are packed with vitamin K and iron (45).
Can you eat bacon on keto? ›
Can You Eat Bacon On a Keto Diet? While you may not think of bacon as diet food, most types of bacon fit perfectly into a keto diet plan since they're low in carbs yet high in protein and fat. That means bacon is perfect for snacking on in the afternoon or mixing into your chicken dinner dish for some extra flavoring.
Will cabbage break ketosis? ›
Cabbage is a low-carb, vitamin C–rich vegetable that fits well into a keto diet. Enjoy it raw in salads, cooked in main dishes, or fermented to add a pleasant funkiness to meals.
Is Bacon low in carbs? ›
How Many Carbs in Bacon? Bacon is a low-carb keto-friendly food. It still contains carbohydrates, but only small amounts that are well within the daily carb limits required by the ketogenic diet. A medium slice of cooked bacon (8 grams) only has 0.1 grams of carbs but 3.3 grams of healthy fats and 3 grams of protein.
Does fried cabbage raise blood sugar? ›
Cabbage might lower blood sugar levels. Taking cabbage along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Is fried cabbage healthy to eat? ›
As soon as the cabbage is tender and browned like the photos, it's ready to serve! This healthy Sautéed Cabbage is low in calories (just 77 per serving!). It also offers tons of vitamin C and fiber. Plus, it's rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation.
What is the lowest carb cabbage? ›
White cabbage (5.37g of carbs per 100g)
White cabbage contains the least carbohydrates compared to other varieties.
All types of low carb vegetables are permitted on a keto diet, including romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, avocados, and more. Healthy fats, such as cheese, avocados, nuts and seeds, and healthy oils are also keto compliant. Eggs, poultry, and beef products are also good to go on a keto diet.
Is peanut butter OK on keto? ›
Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.
What fruit is keto approved? ›
Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries. If you're unsure whether the keto diet is right for you or how it may affect your health, consider speaking with a dietitian or your healthcare provider.
Can I eat ranch on keto? ›
Since most people following the diet are restricted to between 20 and 50 grams of net carbs per day, and the average ranch dressing is between 2 to 3 grams of net carbs per serving, it can be easily paired with a variety of healthy foods while on a ketogenic diet.
Can you eat unlimited vegetables on keto? ›
You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.
Is cabbage a good carb or bad carb? ›
Though not the most glamorous of vegetables, cabbage is super low in calories (less than 18 per serving—1 cup, shredded) and carbohydrates (2.31 net grams per serving). According to Chapmon, it's also a solid source of vitamin C, providing more than a third of your daily needs.
What vegetable has the lowest carbs? ›
List of the best low carb vegetables
- Iceberg lettuce. Perhaps one of the most popular — though least nutritious — vegetables, iceberg lettuce has only 2.97 g of carbohydrate per 100 g. ...
- White mushrooms. Mushrooms contain only 3.26 g of carbs per 100 g. ...
- Spinach. ...
- Broccoli. ...
- Zucchini. ...
- Cauliflower. ...
- Asparagus. ...
- Radishes.
White cabbage contains the least carbohydrates compared to other varieties.
What vegetables have zero carbohydrates? ›
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, celery, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes contain very few or almost no carbohydrates. The carbohydrate count ranges from 2.97 to 3.89 grams. One cup of raw kale contains 0.9 g of carbohydrates (0% DV), making it a low-carb option.
