This Fried Cabbage Recipe is a delicious comfort food using sliced cabbage, a bit of salt, a pinch of sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat. White cabbage is a humble vegetable but really packs a flavor punch when cooked with these other flavorful ingredients.

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

We're big cabbage eaters in our house, and I'm always looking for new ways to make it. But this quick and easy fried cabbage recipe always tends to appear on our menu. It's so quick and easy and can be adapted any way you like. There are a variety of ways to use your extra cabbage, but this is one of the best!

What is fried cabbage?

Fried cabbage is cooking cabbage in a little fat until it's softened. The fat you choose is up to you, but I tend to go for either bacon fat or butter when making this dish.

This cabbage recipe is slightly crunchy, and you can easily make it southern-style cabbage by adding a smoky flavor, like adding bacon or smoked paprika. Once you take that first bite of this cabbage side dish, it will be your new favorite way to eat cabbage. 

Ingredients

You can find these simple ingredients in your local grocery store at almost any time. Here is what you will need for this recipe.  

• Butter 
• Head of cabbage 
• Worcestershire sauce
• Brown sugar 
• Kosher salt 
• Fresh ground black pepper 
• Crushed red pepper flakes

How to make fried cabbage 

This simple side dish is only two steps and can be ready to eat in under 20 minutes. Here are the directions for making this dish. You can also print this out using the recipe card below.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. 

Add cabbage, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet and stir.

Cook for 8-10 minutes until the cabbage is coated in butter and softens. Serve and enjoy.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best southern-fried cabbage you've ever tried. 

• The longer you cook your cabbage, the more it will soften. For crunchier cabbage, cook for 6-8 minutes; for softer cabbage, cook for about 10-12 minutes.
• Use a large frying pan in order to spread the cabbage in the pan. The cabbage will shrink and get smaller while it cooks.
• This dish is best served immediately while it's still hot.
• Add a splash of water or stock if the cabbage is cooking too quickly or if you want it nice and soft.    

Variations 

Here are some different ways to make this sautéed cabbage into your special dish. Try a few of these suggestions, depending on what you like best.  

• Sauté some chopped onions and garlic before adding the cabbage.
• Pour in some whisked eggs for a stir fry flair.
• Add cayenne pepper or Tobasco sauce for a little extra heat.
• Buy pre-cut cabbage to cut down on prep time.
• Add crispy bacon, pancetta, or sausage for a rich and delicious flavor.  
• Cook the cabbage in bacon grease.
• For extra flavor, stir in chopped yellow onion, minced garlic, or garlic powder.  
• Add a little apple cider vinegar to offset the bitterness of the cabbage.  
• Sprinkle in some smoky paprika.    

What kind of cabbage to use 

There are many different types of cabbage, and they can all work with this dish. I prefer green cabbage but use whatever cabbage you have on hand.

Some options include napa cabbage, green cabbage, or red cabbage.

They all have slightly different flavors and textures, so you can play with them to see which one you like best.

Napa cabbage is softer and milder, red cabbage is more bitter and crunchier, and green cabbage is between these two.   

How to adjust this fried cabbage recipe  

Depending on your preferences, you can easily adjust this sautéed cabbage recipe to make a bigger or smaller batch. Here are the best ways to do this. 

Double: To make a large batch of this pan-fried cabbage, double all the ingredients. Make sure to use a big enough pan or cast iron skillet. If you don't have a big sauté pan, you can use a large dutch oven instead.

Halve: If you're only serving one or two people and don't need as many servings, you can cut the ingredients in half. Keep an eye on the cooking time as it will cook faster when there's less cabbage in the pan.

What meat goes well with fried cabbage? 

If you want to serve this tender cabbage recipe with your favorite protein, you can absolutely do so!

This easy side dish pairs well with pork chops, chicken breasts, sausages, or spice-rubbed steak.

It's totally up to you and your family's tastes and preferences.  

How to serve this fried cabbage recipe  

Southern fried cabbage is an easy recipe to make and can be served with many different types of main dishes like juicy air fryer turkey thighs, air fryer tilapia, steak with garlic herb butter, or air fryer cornish hens.    

Some other cabbage options to serve with dinner include instant pot buttered cabbage, sweet and sour cabbage, or Jamaican corned beef and cabbage.

How to store 

To refrigerate: Keep any leftover cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can reheat it in a small bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments until it's warm all the way through.

To meal prep: This is a great recipe to prep ahead of time and fry right before you're ready to eat. Slice the cabbage and prepare the other ingredients. When you're ready to cook, follow the instructions on the recipe card. 

FAQs:

If you have tried this fried cabbage recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

Print Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes

Fried Cabbage Recipe

This Fried Cabbage Recipe is a delicious comfort food using sliced cabbage, a bit of salt, a pinch of sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fried cabbage

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 83kcal

Author: Tanya

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cups chopped green cabbage
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add cabbage, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet and stir.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes until the cabbage is coated in butter and softens. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The longer you cook your cabbage, the more it will soften. For crunchier cabbage, cook for 6-8 minutes. For softer cabbage, cook for about 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 931mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 304IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Southern Style Sweet Potato Casserole is a delicious dish made with creamy sweet potato filling and topped with an oat and brown sugar mixture. This dish is perfect for Sunday dinner or as a side with a beautifully roasted turkey.  

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

When it comes to sweet potatoes, I have my favorite ways to make them. We like candied sweet potatoes, and we also love a good Southern sweet potato pie. But I had to share this delicious sweet potato casserole to round out our love of sweet potatoes. This will be your favorite way to make this southern-style casserole this year!  

What is a southern-style sweet potato casserole?

This version of sweet potato casserole is lighter and made without a marshmallow topping. It's topped with light brown sugar, melted butter, oats, and cinnamon for a wonderfully warm flavor combination. 

The best part of this southern sweet potato casserole recipe is how easy it is to make and the sweet yet comforting flavors. You won't be able to put down your fork!  

Ingredients

These everyday ingredients can be found in grocery stores at any time of year.

Filling: 

• Sweet potatoes 
• Sugar 
• Eggs 
• Butter 
• Heavy cream 
• Vanilla extract 
• Salt 

Topping: 

• Butter 
• Brown sugar 
• Flour 
• Oats 
• Cinnamon 

How to make sweet potato casserole 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and dry sweet potatoes. Use a fork and poke the sweet potatoes all over. Place the sweet potatoes on a lined sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the sweet potatoes have softened. Remove from the oven and allow the sweet potatoes to cool. 

Reduce the heat of the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the sweet potatoes and place the sweet potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixture. Beat the potatoes on low speed until smooth. Add granulated sugar, eggs, butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and kosher salt, and beat the mixture for about 1-2 minutes until combined. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish and set aside. Rinse and dry the bowl of the stand mixture. 

Next, prepare the topping by combining cold butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, oatmeal, and ground cinnamon in the bowl of the stand mixture. Beat the mixture on low speed until combined, and it starts to stick together in about 1 minute.

Break the topping up and place the topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. 

Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden and the bottom is bubbly around the edges. Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Expert Tips

These tips and tricks will help you make the best southern-style casserole you've ever tried.

• You can also air fry or microwave your sweet potatoes if you need them done a bit quicker. To air fry, cook them at 400° F for 35-40 minutes. To microwave, cook them for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until they're fork tender.
• You can combine the filling by hand if you don’t have a stand mixer using a large bowl, a potato masher, or a hand mixer. For the topping, use a pastry cutter, two butter knives, or your fingers to combine.
• Use cold unsalted butter in the oat topping. It'll allow the oat topping to be nice and crunchy, which is the perfect pair to the smooth sweet potato filling.

Variations 

Here are some different options you can try when making your casserole dish.

• Add mini marshmallows for a different topping.
• Make a streusel topping with pecans or walnuts.  
• Add a splash of bourbon for a classic southern flavor.
• Use white, orange, or purple sweet potatoes for a fun color change.  

What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?  

Sweet potatoes and yams are often confused by shoppers looking to make classic southern sweet potato casserole.

There are a couple of ways you can distinguish the two.

Sweet potatoes can be sold in white, orange, or purple and have soft exterior skin. The flesh is sweet and starchy like a regular white potato.

Yams have tough brown skin and white flesh. They aren't as starchy as other potatoes and are not sweet.

If you've found that you've purchased yams instead of sweet potatoes, don't worry! You can still make an amazing casserole with them. 

Add some pure maple syrup to the dish to sweeten it up a bit, and everyone will enjoy a different dish this year.

How to freeze southern-style sweet potato casserole  

If you're a prepper, you can make this sweet potato casserole recipe up to three months before the holiday season! 

This is a great way to prepare a large Thanksgiving dinner with many side dishes. You'll need to let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then pop it in the oven when you're ready to serve. 

This can cut down on the time you spend in the kitchen and allow you to enjoy the holiday rather than worrying about preparing everything.

This classic recipe can also be frozen if you have leftover casserole. Put it in an airtight container or freezer bag and keep it in the freezer for up to three months. 

It's also a good idea to write the date and title on the bag or piece of tape and stick it to the container. This will help you remember what you saved all those months ago.  

How to serve 

Serve this easy sweet potato casserole with other side dishes depending on your traditions and your meal.

If you're making it for Sunday dinners, serve it with southern green beans, cornbread, or a beet and orange salad.   

Pair it with candied sweet potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes, or soft dinner rolls to serve for special occasions.

How to store southern style sweet potato casserole

To refrigerate: Store leftover creamy sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can easily reheat a scoop in a small bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments. Stir when the time ends and continue microwaving until the potatoes are warm all the way through.

To meal prep: This dish is perfect for making ahead to have with your Thanksgiving meal or Christmas dinner. You can prepare it through baking or bake it the day you're going to eat. Either way, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to serve, follow the directions for baking or reheating.

How to make sweet potato casserole ahead of time

You can prep this dish 2-3 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato mixture and place it in the casserole pan. Store this in the refrigerator. Store the crumble topping in a separate container in the refrigerator. When ready to assemble, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and remove the casserole pan from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Add the crumble topping at this time. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour.

FAQs

If you have tried this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Southern Style Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Southern Style Sweet Potato Casserole is a delicous dish made with creamy sweet potato filling and topped with an oats and brown sugar mixture.

Prep Time1 hour hr

Cook Time1 hour hr

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sweet potato casserole

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 540kcal

Author: Tanya

Ingredients

Filling

• 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes, about 8 ounces each) or 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Topping

• 8 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter diced
• ½ cup brown sugar packed
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup old fashioned oats
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and dry sweet potatoes. Use a fork and poke the sweet potatoes all over. Place the sweet potatoes on a lined sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the sweet potatoes have softened. Remove from the oven and allow the sweet potatoes to cool.
• Reduce the heat of the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the sweet potatoes and place the sweet potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixture. Beat the potatoes on low speed until smooth. Add granulated sugar, eggs, butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and kosher salt, and beat the mixture for about 1-2 minutes until combined. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish and set aside. Rinse and dry the bowl of the stand mixture.
• Next, prepare the topping by combining cold butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, oatmeal, and ground cinnamon in the bowl of the stand mixture. Beat the mixture on low speed until combined, and it starts to stick together, about 1 minute. Break the topping up and place the topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden and the bottom is bubbly around the edges. Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• You can also air fry or microwave your sweet potatoes if you need them done a bit quicker. To air fry, air fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes. To microwave, for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
• You can mix the mixture by hand if you don’t have a stand mixer. For the topping, use a pastry cutter, two butter knives, or your fingers to combine the mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 657mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 24943IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg