I recently whipped up a dish that celebrates the hearty blend of green cabbage, smoked sausage, and diced onion. The garlic-infused olive oil brings everything together in a dish I simply call Fried Cabbage With Sausage. This recipe excites my palate each time and promises a delightful medley of flavors.
I’ve always been a fan of quick one-pot meals that don’t skimp on flavor, and this Fried Cabbage and Sausage dish definitely fits the bill. I started with a head of green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped, and tossed in plenty of diced onions and minced garlic while heating up olive oil in my skillet.
Once those veggies got soft, I added slices of smoked sausage, kickin’ it up a notch with just a pinch of red pepper flakes for those who like a little spice. I even deglazed the pan with chicken broth to capture all the savory bits stuck on the bottom, ensuring each bite is bursting with flavor.
This dish is a twist on several well-loved cabbage recipes from the South and is definitely one of my favorites when I’m craving a hearty, healthy meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. Enjoy this fun recipe if you’re into trying out new sausage dishes!
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I really like how simple this recipe is because it comes together really fast, which is perfect for when I don’t have much time and i dont have to clean a lot since it’s all in one skillet.
2. I love the way the sausage browns with the garlic and onion, it gives the whole dish a deep, smoky flavor that makes me crave more.
3. I dig how the cabbage gets tender yet still has a bit of crunch in it, it makes every bite interesting and satisfies both my need for comfort food and a bit of texture.
4. I appreciate that i can turn up the heat by adding red pepper flakes if i want a little kick, letting me adjust the spice level to match my mood.
Ingredients
- Green cabbage adds a crisp texture and plenty of fibre for a healthy crunch.
- Smoked sausage load the dish with protein and a rich, salty, smoky flavor.
- Onion brings a natural sweetness and tang that deepen the overall taste.
- Garlic punch up the flavor, giving a spicy kick along with extra health perks.
- Olive oil smoothes the fry, offering a light fruity balance in every bite.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 head green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
- 1 lb smoked sausage (like kielbasa), sliced into rounds
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional if you want a little kick)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional, helps deglaze and keep it moist)
How to Make this
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add the diced onion and cook it for about 3 minutes until it gets soft.
2. Toss in the minced garlic and sliced sausage, stirring for 2 minutes so the sausage begins to brown.
3. Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and season everything with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want a little kick.
4. Stir the mixture so the cabbage evenly soaks up the flavors and let it cook for about 5 minutes or until it starts to wilt.
5. If you’re using the chicken broth, pour it in now to help deglaze the pan and lift all those tasty browned bits off the bottom.
6. Lower the heat to medium and let all the ingredients simmer together for another 5 minutes so the cabbage is tender but still a bit crunchy.
7. Give it a good stir every now and then to make sure nothing sticks to the pan.
8. Keep checking the seasoning and adjust with extra salt or pepper if needed.
9. Once everything is nicely cooked and mixed well, take the skillet off the heat.
10. Serve your fried cabbage and sausage hot and enjoy this hearty one-pot meal with your favorite side dish if you like.
Equipment Needed
1. Large skillet
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Mixing bowl (for prepping chopped veggies and seasoning)
5. Measuring spoons
6. Measuring cup
7. Sturdy spatula or stirring spoon
FAQ
Fried Cabbage And Sausage Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you can’t find green cabbage try using savoy cabbage or even napa cabbage for a milder flavor
- If smoked sausage isnt available you can use turkey sausage or chicken sausage which works pretty well
- Instead of a large onion you could use a red onion or a few shallots for a sweeter flavor
- Olive oil can be replaced with canola oil or melted butter if you want a different kind of richness
- If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth or water with a little bouillon works fine too
Pro Tips
1. Try browning the sausage a bit longer before you mix in the cabbage since that gives a deeper flavor that really makes the dish pop.
2. If you like a little extra kick, toss in a bit more red pepper flakes or even a chopped fresh chili when you’re cooking the onions together – it really brings the heat up.
3. When you deglaze the pan with the chicken broth, scrape up those tasty bits off the bottom of the skillet good – this extra flavor can make the whole dish much more rich.
4. Keep an eye on the cabbage as it cooks so it doesnt turn to mush – you wanna keep it a bit crunchy for a nice texture contrast with the sausage.
Fried Cabbage And Sausage Recipe
My favorite Fried Cabbage And Sausage Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large skillet
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Mixing bowl (for prepping chopped veggies and seasoning)
5. Measuring spoons
6. Measuring cup
7. Sturdy spatula or stirring spoon
Ingredients:
- 1 head green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
- 1 lb smoked sausage (like kielbasa), sliced into rounds
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional if you want a little kick)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional, helps deglaze and keep it moist)
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add the diced onion and cook it for about 3 minutes until it gets soft.
2. Toss in the minced garlic and sliced sausage, stirring for 2 minutes so the sausage begins to brown.
3. Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and season everything with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want a little kick.
4. Stir the mixture so the cabbage evenly soaks up the flavors and let it cook for about 5 minutes or until it starts to wilt.
5. If you’re using the chicken broth, pour it in now to help deglaze the pan and lift all those tasty browned bits off the bottom.
6. Lower the heat to medium and let all the ingredients simmer together for another 5 minutes so the cabbage is tender but still a bit crunchy.
7. Give it a good stir every now and then to make sure nothing sticks to the pan.
8. Keep checking the seasoning and adjust with extra salt or pepper if needed.
9. Once everything is nicely cooked and mixed well, take the skillet off the heat.
10. Serve your fried cabbage and sausage hot and enjoy this hearty one-pot meal with your favorite side dish if you like.