Our FRIED CABBAGE AND SAUSAGE is such a simple dinner, loaded with seared smoked sausage, onions, and tender cabbage. This low carb recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
My kids never fail to surprise me at dinner time.
I set out something that I just know will be a big hit with both of them and neither one enjoy it.
Then I make fried cabbage expecting them to turn their nose up at it and both of them inhale half the pan.
First of all, that’s my cabbage, back off.
Second of all, is this Southern fried cabbage magic? Why do my kids like it so much?
I don’t know, but I’m happy about it!
Smoked sausage and cabbage is a classic, and we absolutely love serving this up as a hearty side or a lighter main dish. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner and honestly, just delicious!
This is a quick recipe, ready in just 30 minutes! It starts with smoked sausage, which is an easy grab and go protein that we always keep on hand in our fridge.
This recipe is easy to customize with a variety of seasonings.
This can be served as a lighter main dish with more protein or veggies on the side or it can be served as a side dish.
Ingredient Notes:
Smoked Sausage – Smoked sausage comes in a variety of flavors by many different brands and some of them have a surprising amount of carbs! I’ve recently found that Hillshire Farm makes a smoked sausage with only 1 carb per 2 ounce serving and that’s what I use. It’s the lowest carb option I’ve seen.
You can use any brand/variety you prefer, but do know that I’ve calculated the nutrition information based on 1 carb per 2 ounces, so you’ll want to make any necessary adjustments if you use a different brand.
(This post is not sponsored, just sharing what I use and love!)
Cabbage – Chop up a head cabbage into bite-sized pieces. It’ll get real tender as it cooks with the oil and sausage and will soak up all those flavors along with the garlic and onion!
How To Make Smoked Sausage and Cabbage:
Brown the Sausage – Heat a large, heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat and swirl in some avocado or olive oil. Sear the sausage rounds on each side until browned.
Onion & Garlic – Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Things should be smelling amazing right about this step.
Cook the Cabbage – Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet. It will look like quite a lot, but it will cook down and shrink up nicely. Keep cooking and stirring until the cabbage has softened to your liking. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
FAQs:
There are different types and brands of smoked sausages such as Kielbasa or Andouille and even beef and chicken smoked sausages. Really just about any kind will work as long as you keep in mind that this recipe was made with a sausage that has 1 carb per 2 ounce serving, so adjust as necessary!
This dish is delicious as is, but feel free to get creative. Fry up some bacon before cooking your smoked sausage. Saute a bell pepper along with the onion. Stir in a can of diced tomatoes. Spice things up with red pepper flakes or sprinkle on some Cajun seasoning. This dish is easy to customize!
More Simple Recipes to Enjoy:
Asparagus Stuffed Chicken: This one is so impressive, but it’s really quite simple to throw together on a busy night!
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: All the flavor of a traditional cabbage roll without the carbs or the work!
Air Fryer Chicken Legs: Perfectly seasoned with a crispy skin that is ready in no time!
German Cucumber Salad: We eat this as a side dish all summer long. So simple and refreshing!
Steak Bites: If you’re a little intimidated by cooking a steak, this is a simple way to get started. Plus that marinade is AMAZING.
Fried Cabbage with Sausage
Ingredients
- 12 ounces smoked sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large head cabbage chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Slice the smoked sausage into thin rounds.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a dutch oven or large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until sausage is browned on both sides, about 4 minutes.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook 3 more minutes to soften onions.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet along with the cabbage and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook the cabbage, stirring constantly, until it becomes tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
pru says
THANK You dinner will be served after all!!!
tammy says
Absolutely delicious and amazing simplicity!
peggy stump says
I do not have any garlic cloves can I use garlic powder?????
Karly Campbell says
Sure, that should work fine.
Candice Crouch says
There is also minced garlic in the jar
Evita says
was this the entire meal or did you have a salad or another side added and what side was it?
Karly Campbell says
We’ve served this alone as a lighter meal or with a roasted veggie on the side.
Patti says
I chop up a bell pepper with mine and cook it with the onions and Smoked sausage then add cabbage!! YUMMY!
Karly Campbell says
That sounds great!
Caitlin says
Is there something you could suggest as a low carb cabbage substitute?
Karly Campbell says
I don’t know of anything that would replace cabbage in a fried cabbage recipe, unfortunately. You could use something like zucchini, but it’ll definitely be a different recipe.
Kathie says
just enjoy it, the cabbage onion,garlic and lean sausage makes it a great dish how can this really not be good you compared to so many others things we eat and a few buttered noodles give it that complete meal. Enjoy it! This is a 4 for us but my husband said 5 for sure.
Gwen says
What is considered a serving.. A cup, half cup, 2 cups? Calories without what a serving portion is for those calories is not helpful. Help!
Karly Campbell says
Hi Gwen. I didn’t measure the serving size by volume, just divided into 5 equal servings.
Nichole says
Made this tonight with VERY minor adjustments for our tastes – kielbasa instead of smoked sausage, 1/2 Tbsp butter and 1/2 Tbsp olive oil before adding the cabbage, and a light dusting of red pepper flakes. This is nearly an identical recipe to a staple in our house, only with potatoes, and I’ve never actually cooked cabbage before! This is really, really good and I’m happy to add it to the rotation (I’m the only one eating low carb and hubby even said it was good and he’d happily eat it again). Thank you!!
Karly Campbell says
That’s great!
Kimberly Sexton says
Delicious!!!! Had to many servings my stomach was bloated after. It was so GOOD!!!!!! I had to cook my cabbage a little longer than 10 minutes for our desired tenderness!!! BEST FRIED CABBAGE AND SAUSAGE RECIPE AND SO QUICK AND EASY!!!!!
Thanks!!!!! Kim
AJ says
What a great recipe and so nice to see a blog with no trolls!!! Love the positivity here! Heading to the grocery store to get the fixings!
Molly says
Its says 5 servings. But what is the serving size? 1/2 cup ? 1 cup?
Thank you
Molly
Karly Campbell says
Hi Molly! I just divided it into 5 equal portions, I didn’t weigh or measure.
Sharon says
I add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. This is a tasty easy meal.
Gloria J. Lawrence says
My taste buds love your recipes,.
Sherry Augustin says
Cabbage has approximately 40 net carbs per head. It cooks down so much, that it is very easy to eat way more than a regular serving. I just made this and IT WAS SO GOOD! I had 2 small bowls, but when I looked in the pot, it equaled about 1/2 the pot. That is 20 net carbs. WHAT DID I JUST DO? I think cabbage is too high in carbs for me. I will stick with other green vegetables. But let’s get back to how GOOD the cabbage was. I had sausage links that were approx 3/4 lb each. I just cut one and it was more than enough (yes, cut thin slices). I removed the sausage and drizzled olive oil in the pot. I put the cut up cabbage in the pot and stirred it so the olive oil would coat the cabbage. I sprinkled it with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder (I did not cut up a yellow onion). After cooking the cabbage on medium for 5 minutes, I added about 1/4 cup beef broth and threw the sausage back into the pot. I cooked it on medium stirring every 5 minutes until it got to the tenderness I liked. I could honestly eat the whole pot. It is probably the best cabbage I have ever had.
Holly says
I mean, its cabbage. It’s not chocolate ice cream. Even if you overindulge in cabbage it’s still got lots of nutrients and benefits for your body. Be gentle with yourself and just keep going. You’re doing great!
Grammasue says
Holly: I totally LOVE your great attitude & superb advice!!
Jim says
Good recipe but Chappelle Hill pork and venison smoked sausage has zero carbs and is so lean you have to add a small amount of oil. Just enough to cover the bottom using a brush.
LaToiua says
I used spicy Italian sausage, OMG… soooo delish
Karly Campbell says
Great swap!
Ivory says
This Mondays dinner on our table, thanks to you. Yummy!
Maggie Martin says
Cook a couple pieces of bacon, crumble , do NOT drain. Use the grease to start frying your cabbage. Yummy-er!
Deidre Jordan says
What a coincidence! I had planned to fix sausages and fried cabbage for dinner tonight. I like to start mine off with chopped up bacon, and my Dear One likes the sausages served separately. What a great meal it makes.