Delia Smith Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe
This Delia Smith fried cabbage recipe is a simple, flavourful side dish made with shredded cabbage, turkey bacon, onion, garlic, and olive oil. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and cooks in one frying pan, making it an easy choice when you want a vegetable side without a complicated recipe.
The cabbage is cooked until tender while retaining some of its natural crispness, while the turkey bacon adds a savoury flavour and the onion and garlic make the dish much more aromatic. If you prefer softer cabbage, simply cover the pan while it cooks so the steam can help tenderise it.
It is a particularly useful recipe when you have a cabbage that needs using and want something more interesting than simply boiling it.
Delia Smith Fried Cabbage Ingredients
- 450g (1 lb) cabbage: Any variety can be used, shredded into fairly thin pieces.
- 50g (2 oz) turkey bacon: De-rinded and cut into small lardons, or use chopped turkey bacon.
- 1 medium onion: Finely chopped.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic: Crushed.
- Salt and freshly milled black pepper: To taste.
How To Make Delia Smith Fried Cabbage
1. Prepare the Cabbage
Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage and shred it into fairly thin strips.
Don’t worry if the prepared cabbage looks like a large amount. Once it goes into the hot frying pan, it will quickly reduce in volume as it cooks.
2. Fry the Onion and Bacon
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and turkey bacon and fry them together for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The onion should begin to soften and the turkey bacon should release some of its savoury flavour into the pan.
3. Add the Garlic
Add the crushed garlic and continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes.
Stir regularly so that the garlic cooks without catching on the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the Shredded Cabbage
Add all the shredded cabbage to the frying pan.
At first, it may seem as though there is far too much cabbage for the pan, but don’t be concerned. The cabbage will begin to collapse as it heats.
Keep turning and stirring it so that the cabbage cooks evenly and becomes coated with the turkey bacon, onion, garlic, and olive oil.
5. Season Carefully
Add freshly milled black pepper and continue cooking.
Be careful with the salt at this stage. Bacon can already be quite salty, so it is best to taste the cabbage before deciding whether any additional salt is needed.
6. Cook Until Tender
Continue cooking for about 10 minutes.
The cabbage should be cooked but still retain some of its natural crispness. If you prefer a softer texture, place a lid over the frying pan while the cabbage cooks.
The trapped steam will help soften the cabbage further.
7. Serve
Once the cabbage has reached your preferred texture, remove it from the heat and serve immediately.
The combination of cabbage, turkey bacon, onion, and garlic makes a simple vegetable side much more satisfying.
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How Long Does Fried Cabbage Take to Cook?
The cabbage takes approximately 10 minutes to cook after it has been added to the frying pan.
The onion and turkey bacon are cooked first for about 5 minutes, followed by another 2–3 minutes for the garlic.
Overall, this makes it a relatively quick side dish that can be prepared while the main meal is cooking.
How Do You Keep Fried Cabbage Crisp?
For cabbage that still has some bite, cook it in the uncovered frying pan and stir it regularly.
Avoid overcooking it. After around 10 minutes, taste a little cabbage to check the texture.
If you prefer a softer result, cover the pan during cooking. The steam trapped under the lid will make the cabbage more tender.
Why Does the Cabbage Look Like Too Much at First?
Shredded cabbage takes up a surprising amount of space when it is first added to the frying pan.
As it heats, the cabbage naturally collapses and becomes much smaller in volume.
For this reason, don’t be tempted to leave some cabbage out simply because the pan looks overcrowded at first. Keep turning it with a spoon or spatula and it will gradually reduce.
What Type of Cabbage Can You Use?
The recipe works with any variety of cabbage, so you can use whichever type you have available.
The important thing is to shred it before cooking so that it softens evenly in the frying pan.
Different cabbages can vary slightly in texture, so the cooking time may need a small adjustment depending on how finely the cabbage is shredded and how tender you prefer it.
What To Serve With Delia Smith Fried Cabbage
This cabbage makes a versatile vegetable side and works particularly well with hearty main courses.
You can serve it alongside:
- Roast chicken
- Sausages
- Grilled or roasted meats
- Mashed potatoes
- Traditional Sunday lunch dishes
The combination of turkey bacon and cabbage also makes it suitable for a comforting midweek meal when you want a quick vegetable side.
How To Store Leftover Fried Cabbage
Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer them to a covered container and refrigerate.
When reheating, make sure the cabbage is heated thoroughly before serving.
Because the texture is best when freshly cooked, try not to overcook it during reheating.
Common Mistakes When Making Fried Cabbage
Over-salting the cabbage
The turkey bacon already adds salt, so seasoning too early can easily leave the finished dish too salty.
Solution: Add black pepper while cooking, taste the cabbage near the end, and only then add extra salt if necessary.
Overcooking the cabbage
Cabbage can quickly lose its texture if cooked for too long.
Solution: Cook for around 10 minutes and check it. Leave the pan uncovered if you prefer some crispness.
Not stirring enough
Cabbage added all at once can initially sit in a large pile in the pan.
Solution: Keep turning and stirring it as it cooks so that the heat reaches all of the cabbage evenly.
Using a pan that is too small
A very small frying pan can make it difficult to stir the cabbage properly.
Solution: Use a large frying pan so there is enough room to add the cabbage and turn it as it collapses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delia Smith fried cabbage?
It is a simple cabbage side dish made by frying shredded cabbage with turkey bacon, onion, garlic, and olive oil. The cabbage is cooked until tender while retaining some crispness.
How long do you fry cabbage?
Once the cabbage has been added to the pan, it takes about 10 minutes to cook. The exact time depends on how finely it has been shredded and how soft you like it.
Can I use any type of cabbage?
Yes. The recipe can be made with any variety of cabbage.
Do I need to boil the cabbage first?
No. The shredded cabbage is added directly to the frying pan with the cooked onion, turkey bacon, and garlic.
How can I make the cabbage softer?
Cover the frying pan with a lid while the cabbage cooks. The steam helps the cabbage become softer and more tender.
Why is my fried cabbage watery?
Cabbage naturally contains a lot of water. Cooking it uncovered and stirring regularly allows excess moisture to evaporate while the cabbage cooks.
Can I leave out the turkey bacon?
You can, although the turkey bacon provides much of the savoury flavour in this particular recipe. If you omit it, the finished dish will have a different flavour and will taste different.
Is this a quick cabbage recipe?
Yes. The onion and turkey bacon take about 5 minutes, the garlic another 2–3 minutes, and the cabbage around 10 minutes, making it a convenient side dish for a busy meal.
Delia Smith Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe
Course: SidesCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy2-3
servings10
minutes15
minutes170
kcalA simple and delicious Delia smith fried cabbage recipe with crispy turkey bacon, onion, and garlic, cooked until tender with a little bite.
Ingredients
450g (1 lb) shredded cabbage
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
Salt and freshly milled black pepper, to taste
50g (2 oz) turkey bacon, chopped
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion and turkey bacon for 5 minutes.
- Add the crushed garlic and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded cabbage and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with black pepper and taste before adding salt.
- Serve immediately, or cover the pan while cooking if you prefer softer cabbage.
