Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele | Recipe Development and Food Styling by Kathleen Kanen | Styling by Haley Bilunas
This Bacon-Braised Cabbage and Tomatoes is a hearty, flavor-packed side dish that brings together tender wedges of green cabbage, smoky bacon, and fire-roasted tomatoes with a touch of Creole seasoning. Slowly braised in a cast-iron skillet until caramelized and tender, this dish layers savory, smoky, and tangy flavors for true Southern comfort. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday tables, it’s a simple Louisiana recipe that transforms humble ingredients into something rich and satisfying.
Bacon-Braised Cabbage and Tomatoes
Makes about 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage (about 2½ pounds)
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Discard any dark green outer leaves from cabbage; cut cabbage in half vertically. Cut each half into 2½- to 3-inch-thick wedges, leaving part of core to hold wedges together.
- In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, cook bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels, reserving 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet.
- Add bell pepper and onion to skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Arrange cabbage wedges in skillet, and spoon bell pepper mixture around cabbage. Pour ⅓ cup water around cabbage. Pour tomatoes around cabbage. Sprinkle with butter, Creole seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cover with lid or foil.
- Bake until cabbage is mostly tender, about 45 minutes. Turn wedges over, and bake, covered, until tender, about 45 minutes more. Uncover skillet. Increase oven temperature to 425°, and bake until cabbage is browned around edges, 15 to 20 minutes more. Top with bacon, and season with Creole seasoning.
