Perfect Southern-Style Cabbage Recipe – Easy, Flavorful, and One-Pot
This Southern-Style Cabbage is a simple, flavorful dish that comes together in one pot with perfectly seasoned broth, tender cabbage, and optional smoked meats or potatoes for a hearty meal.
A Southern Classic That’s Easy and Versatile
Cabbage is one veggie that always has a place in my fridge. It’s the perfect filler for soups, ramen, and side dishes, but one of my absolute go-to recipes is this simple Southern-Style Cabbage. It’s perfectly seasoned, easy to make, and ripe for variations. You can serve it as a classic side or turn it into a hearty one-pot meal by adding smoked pork chops and tender potatoes. The best part? You don’t need a long list of ingredients—just a few pantry staples that come together beautifully for a rich, flavorful dish. Whether you're cooking up a quick weeknight dinner or bringing comfort food to the table, this Southern cabbage is a must-try!
How to Make Southern-Style Cabbage
Watch my video to see how to make this Southern-Style Cabbage come together with a delicious, flavorful broth and simple ingredients for the perfect comfort food dish!
Choosing and Preparing Your Cabbage
For this dish, I’m using common green cabbage, which is the go-to variety for most Southern-style cabbage recipes. There’s no special prep required other than giving it a good rinse. You might notice that some cabbages still have their darker outer leaves, while others have had them removed before they hit the store shelves. I like to keep those darker leaves and mix them in with the lighter ones for extra texture and flavor. If you choose to keep them, I recommend adding them to the pot first, as they take a bit longer to soften. When it comes to cutting, I keep things rustic with larger pieces, but you can chop yours as big or small as you like—there’s no right or wrong way, just personal preference!
Building a Flavorful Southern-Style Cabbage
The secret to a truly great Southern-style cabbage lies in the broth. A simple combination of onion, garlic, and chicken broth creates a rich, savory base that brings the dish to life. Depending on the size of my cabbage, I sometimes add an extra clove of garlic for more depth. Since cabbage has a naturally slightly bitter taste, a pinch of sugar helps to balance the flavors, but the key is to taste the broth as it simmers to ensure everything is well-rounded. If you’re looking to add variety, carrots, potatoes, or a touch of celery seed make great additions. And if you want to turn this into a one-pot meal, smoked sausage, Polish kielbasa, or even smoked pork chops take it to the next level—especially when paired with tender chunks of potatoes. Just be mindful of when you add the potatoes, as their texture can change depending on cooking time. When it comes to the cabbage itself, I like it tender but not mushy, and since it continues to cook in the hot broth even after being removed from the stove, timing is everything. Keep an eye on it, and you’ll have a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish every time!
Make It a Meal with the Perfect Pairings
If you’re looking to add big flavor to your cabbage dish, this recipe is a must-try. It’s simple, comforting, and easy to customize with your favorite ingredients. Whether you serve it as a side or turn it into a hearty meal, it’s the kind of dish that brings warmth to the table. And if you need the perfect pairing, my juicy baked chicken is a great match. Oh, and don’t forget to round out the meal with a slice of Southern-style cornbread—because no good Southern dinner is complete without it!
More Southern Comfort Recipes to Try:
Juicy Baked Chicken – A perfect, flavorful protein to serve alongside your cabbage.
Southern-Style Cornbread – The ultimate side to soak up all that delicious broth.
Classic Biscuits – Another great bread option to complete your meal.
