Irish Bacon and Cabbage Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Irish Bacon and Cabbage Recipemade with only 5 ingredients. Make this tantalizing side dish for Saint Patrick’s Day, or for dinner any night of the week!

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Why We Love This Irish Cabbage and Bacon Recipe

Disclaimer: Today’s Irish Cabbage and Bacon is based on a classic Irish dish usually made with large slabs of pork (pork belly) boiled down into a rich fatty broth that the cabbage is later stewed in.

As I’m not Irish, I have a hard time swallowing the idea ofboiling porkin water.

Instead, I decided to make a quickie version, an Americanized alternative, using the same ingredients, but a different cooking method. This way, we get actual bacon that is slightly crispy, with tender, al dente cabbage with a bit of extra flavor from the onion, salt, pepper, and mustard seeds!

If you need an easy meal to serve up around St. Patrick’s Day, you have to try this Irish cabbage and bacon recipe. It is completely irresistible!

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Ingredients You Need

MyIrish Bacon and Cabbage is made with only5 simple ingredients:

  • Thick-cut Bacondiced into smaller pieces
  • Large Green Cabbagecut into 12 wedges
  • Large Oniondiced
  • Chicken Brothfor added flavor
  • Mustard Seedsadds a bit of a kick
  • Salt and Black Pepper To taste (or add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick!)
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How to Make Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Place a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium heat to medium-high heat. Cut the bacon strips into 4 pieces each with a knife. Separate the bacon pieces and place them in the pot. Stir and fry until the bacon is cooked, but not fully crispy.

Meanwhile, peel the onion and cut it into 8 wedges. Then cut the cabbage in half and remove the core. Cut the cabbage into 12 wedges. Once the bacon is mostly cooked, add the onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes to soften.

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Add the cabbage, chicken broth, and mustard seeds. Stir to move the cabbage to the bottom of the pot and bring the bacon upward.

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Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the thickest parts of the cabbage have a tender silky texture. Stir once or twice while cooking. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.

Serve in a bowl with whole-grain mustard on the side, if desired.

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Tips & Tricks

  • Get the bacon just slightly crispy! You don’t want super crispy bacon in this recipe because it will be harder to eat! So make sure it is slightly crispy, but not too much.
  • Serve with whole-grain mustard! The mustard seeds in this recipe will shine with a little extra whole-grain mustard on the side.
  • Goes well with potatoes! To turn this into a hearty meal, serve with some roasted potatoes!

See The (Printable) Recipe Card Below For How To Make Irish Bacon and Cabbage. Enjoy!

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Serving Suggestions

This Irish bacon and cabbage would to well alone, as a side dish, or with a few dish dishes to create a whole meal! I just know that this fried bacon and cabbage would go amazingly with creamy mashed potatoes or some crispy roasted potatoes!

You can also serve this as a savory side dish with grilled ham steaks, smoked pork chops, or even steak!

For an Irish feast, pair it with Irish potato pie, bangers and mash, or savory cottage pie!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Cut Cabbage for Frying?

How you cut the cabbage is totally up to you. Keep in mind that cabbage shrinks significantly once it is cooked! If you cut it into very small pieces, it won’t have that much texture once it is cooked. I like to first cut mine in half, then remove the core. After that, I simply slice each half into 6 smaller wedges. If you want them to be smaller, you can cut each wedge in half! Totally up to you!

How Long Does This Fried Cabbage Recipe Last In The Fridge?

You can store the leftover pan-fried cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Reheat these leftovers in a large skillet instead of a microwave.

What Do I Serve With This Recipe?

Although you can serve this cooked cabbage recipe as a side dish with corned beef, proportionally there is alotof bacon in this recipe. Enough protein to make it a main dish in my opinion.

In Ireland, it’s often served as the main course with mustard and boiled potatoes.

Should I Drain The Bacon Fat/Bacon Drippings?

No need to pull out paper towels to pat the bacon dry. The bacon grease that comes off the bacon slices will only be a few ounces, and it will help create the flavor of the recipe and enhance the taste as the cabbage cooks in it. That is what makes this a delicious fried cabbage with bacon recipe!

Can I Make A Smaller Portion?

Of course, you can. You can find a small head of cabbage to use for this recipe and then cut the rest of the ingredients in half. This low-carb dish can be based on the size of the cabbage head you find!

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Other Easy Irish Recipes You Might Like:

  • Irish Creamy Cauliflower Soup
  • Irish Potato Pie
  • Irish Pub Cheese (Beer Cheese Dip)
  • Crisp and Savory Irish Potato Pie
  • One Pan Slow Cooker Shepherds Pie
  • Garlic Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes
  • Bangers and Mash (Sausage and Mashed Potatoes)
  • Savory Breakfast Scones
  • Cottage Pie Recipe (Shepherd’s Pie)

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information for this vegetable side dish including calories, carbohydrates, protein, cholesterol, sodium, fiber, and vitamin c percentages.

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Print Recipe

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Irish Bacon and Cabbage Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

This traditional Irish Cabbage and Bacon Recipe is made with only 5 ingredients! Make this tantalizing side dish for Saint Patrick’s Day or for any dinner!

Servings: 8

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place a large stockpot over medium heat. Cut the bacon strips into 4 pieces each. Separate the bacon pieces and place in the pot. Stir and sizzle until the bacon is cooked, but not fully crispy.

  • Meanwhile, peel the onion and cut it into 8 wedges. Then cut the cabbage in half and remove the core. Cut the cabbage into 12 wedges. Once the bacon is mostly cooked, add the onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes to soften.

  • Add the cabbage, chicken broth, and mustard seeds. Stir to move the cabbage to the bottom of the pot and bring the bacon upward. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the thickest parts of the cabbage are tender. Stir once or twice while cooking. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve with whole grain mustard on the side, if desired.

Video

Notes

You can store the leftover pan-fried cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Reheat these leftovers in a large skillet instead of a microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 8ounces, Calories: 79kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 170mg, Potassium: 90mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g, Vitamin A: 30IU, Vitamin C: 9.6mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Irish

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Irish Bacon and Cabbage Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of bacon and cabbage in Ireland? ›

The roots of Bacon and Cabbage trace back centuries, reflecting the simplicity and resourcefulness of the Irish people. Historically, pork was a staple meat due to the abundance of pigs in Ireland. Cabbage, a hardy and readily available vegetable, complemented the savory flavors of bacon.

What is a good substitute for Irish bacon? ›

For breakfast, Canadian bacon or slices of ham can often be used as substitutes to Irish bacon. Sometimes, pancetta can also be substituted when the recipe calls for Irish bacon and none is available. A little less fatty than American bacon, Irish bacon is meatier and leaner.

What is bacon and cabbage made of? ›

Bacon and cabbage (Irish: bagún agus cabáiste) is a dish traditionally associated with Ireland. The dish consists of sliced back bacon boiled with cabbage and potatoes. Smoked bacon is sometimes used. The dish is served with the bacon sliced, and with some of the boiling juices added.

What cut is Irish boiling bacon? ›

This one calls for whole loin bacon, a British Isles export which is cooked along with the cabbage, sliced before serving, and paired with a creamy parsley sauce. Unlike American bacon, Irish bacon is made from the back of the pig instead of the belly and is much leaner than streaky bacon.

Do real Irish eat corned beef and cabbage? ›

Since this meal is typically only eaten on St. Patrick's Day, most of us assume it is a traditional Irish dish. But guess what lads and lassies: Corned beef and cabbage did not originate from Ireland — and the meal isn't actually Irish at all. Corned beef is a cut of meat similar to brisket that has been salt-cured.

Why do Americans think Irish eat corned beef and cabbage? ›

The Irish could not afford meat every day, but on special occasions they bought corned beef from their neighborhood Jewish butchers. Thus began the relationship between Irish Anericans and corned beef.

What is Irish bacon called in America? ›

Irish bacon, also known as back bacon or rashers, is a popular type of bacon commonly enjoyed in Ireland. Unlike the traditional American bacon, which is typically made from pork belly, Irish bacon is made from pork loin. This results in a leaner and less fatty cut of meat that is often considered healthier.

What is the Irish slang for bacon? ›

IMPORTANT WORD YOU SHOULD LEARN: Rashers. That's Irish slang for bacon. You'll find back (wide) or streaky (narrow) rashers in an Irish breakfast; both types may look and taste different to what you might expect. Irish bacon is chunkier than American bacon, with a little more meat.

What ingredient to avoid in bacon? ›

The health risk of bacon is largely to do with two food additives: potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre) and sodium nitrite. It is these that give salamis, bacons and cooked hams their alluring pink colour.

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? ›

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? Both Irish dishes, Champ is mashed potatoes with chopped spring onions (scallions) and milk. Colcannon is Champ with the addition of cabbage and sometimes some herbs.

What makes a cabbage a cabbage? ›

Cabbage, comprising several cultivars of Brassica oleracea, is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is descended from the wild cabbage (B. oleracea var.

Why is cooked cabbage so good? ›

Cabbage is an exceptionally healthy food. It has an outstanding nutrient profile and is especially high in vitamins C and K. In addition, eating cabbage may even help lower the risk of certain diseases, improve digestion, and ease inflammation.

What is cowboy cut bacon? ›

Cowboy Cut Bacon - HIDE 3 lbs

The pork bellies are injected with a special brine formula. We don't cut our slices perfectly, because with a flavor this good, you don't need perfect slices. Pan fry our bacon for a tasty snack, and sandwich or salad topper.

What is bacon called before its cut? ›

Slab bacon is whole smoked pork belly before it's sliced into familiar bacon strips. In other words, this is bacon in its natural state. The benefit of slab bacon is that you can slice it how you like: thick, ultra-thin, or somewhere in between.

What is really thick bacon called? ›

Bacon chops, sometimes called bacon steaks, are thick cut chops, which are taken from whole bacon loins. In other words, a bacon chop is basically a super thick cut rasher of bacon. It comes from exactly the same place, and is produced the same way, as the back bacon you put on your sandwich, it's just, well, thicker.

Why did the Irish eat cabbage? ›

So it was the Irish-American consumption of corned beef that initiated its association with Ireland and the holiday of St. Patrick's Day. And as for pairing cabbage with corned beef, it was simply one of the cheapest vegetables available to Irish immigrants, so it was a side dish that stuck.

Why is cabbage popular in Ireland? ›

Cabbage has long been a staple in Irish cooking, owing to its hardiness and abundance in the Irish climate. In fact, historically, Irish peasants relied heavily on cabbage as a dietary staple due to its affordability and nutritional value.

When was cabbage introduced to Ireland? ›

Yes, it appears that this, the second-most stereotypically Irish vegetable, is also a modern interloper, even more recent than the potato. It was brought here in 1649, if not by the man himself, then by his troops.

What vegetables are historically important in Ireland? ›

Vegetables grown and eaten in Ireland included onions, chives, cabbage, celery, wild garlic and leeks. Fat-hen (Chenopodium album) is often found on pre Norman archaeological sites and appears to have been an important part of the diet, as it still is in Northern India.

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