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    Home » Recipes » Pork » Red Cabbage Salad with Bacon (15 minutes)

    Red Cabbage Salad with Bacon (15 minutes)

    June 7, 2019 By Chandice | 8 Comments | Updated April 13, 2022

    this post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE Jump to Video PRINT RECIPE
    Red cabbage salad with bacon is easy to make in only 15 minutes and is so hearty and delicious!

    This warm red bacon cabbage salad takes only 15 minutes to make and has been a family favorite recipe of ours for over 15 years. I am excited to share it with all of you!White plate with red cabbage salad topped with bacon

    Red Cabbage Salad

    There is nothing quite like this warm cabbage salad with our Instant Pot bacon. It is so full of incredible flavors and topped with yummies like walnuts, feta and balsamic. My mom has been making for our family for over 15 years. It is surprisingly easy to make yet it comes out seeming so fancy.

    Now I am sure some of you are saying, “But I am not a huge cabbage fan.” That’s ok, this salad will likely make a cabbage fan of you. I know a few people will tell you that it did for them!

    While many salads are not, this one is hearty enough for those with big appetites with the crumbled bacon, rich feta and walnuts. It is robust enough to stand on it’s own and in my mind, isn’t considered just a side. I personally love to serve it up on our salad bar for a pop of color.

    Although, it does make a great side dish, kind of like our fluffy buttermilk biscuits, it is also yummy when served with Evolving Tables chicken lettuce wraps, egg roll in a bowl with chicken or gluten-free pan fried fish too! For dessert, I recommend Vegetarian Mammas mixed berry fruit salad.

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    I know when my mom first made this for my dad, he was a little skeptical. However, he soon came to love it as much as she did.

    For me, this salad is nostalgic. My mom and I would eat it while sitting down together to watch an episode of Law and Order. We didn’t get along very well in highschool but food was always one thing we could agree on.

    Since those school days, we are very close now. I still love going home to my moms house where I can enjoy this bacon cabbage salad as I once used to.

    Warm Red Cabbage Salad Ingredients:

    • Red Cabbage
    • Bacon (I like thick cut Beelers brand)
    • Feta
    • Walnuts
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Aged Balsamic Vinegar

    What aged balsamic is best?

    Choose aged balsamic that is thick and delicious. You want one that has been aged longer and comes out like a syrup more than a vinegar.

    I like Napa Valley Naturals Grand Reserve aged balsamic. The flavor is rich and slightly sweet. It works great with sweet and savory dishes. Bottle of aged balsamic

    How to make red cabbage salad:

    Step one: In a large pan cook bacon until crisp then transfer bacon to a plate to cool
    Step two: Chop cabbage into thin strips
    Step three: Remove HALF, only HALF of the bacon grease from the pan then add cabbage to the bacon grease along with 2 T aged balsamic vinegar
    Step four: Cook until slightly tender
    Pro Tip: The cabbage should still be a bright purple. If you overcook it you will lose the vibrant color and be left with an almost black cabbage.
    Step by step instructions to make red cabbage salad
    Step five: Chop the cooled bacon
    Step six: Transfer cabbage to a serving plate and top with Feta cheese, salt to taste, aged balsamic vinegar, chopped bacon and as many walnuts as you prefer

    Bacon Cabbage Salad Notes:

    • Don’t be afraid to use the bacon grease for cooking the cabbage, it will give this salad so much flavor!
    • Make sure to cook the cabbage only a few minutes, you want it to still be a vibrant purple color
    • Be sure to toss the cabbage and get the yummy bacon morsels off the bottom of the pan when cooking

    White plate with red cabbage salad topped with bacon and nuts

    How do you store this salad:

    This salad is best served warm and fresh. You can store the cooked cabbage and bacon in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat it the next day.

    Just wait to add the toppings of feta, nuts and additional balsamic drizzle, until you’ve reheated it.

    I don’t recommend freezing this salad.

    Red cabbage salad with bacon is easy to make in only 15 minutes and is so hearty and delicious!

    If you like this recipe, be sure to check these out…

    Lemon Ginger Cookie Salad

    Golden Beet Salad with Watermelon

    Instant Pot Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese

    Best Cheeseball

    Need an EASY and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert?
    Take a look at my Sheet Pan Meals and More!

    NEED MORE GOODNESS? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for great recipes, entertaining ideas and more!

    Bacon Cabbage Salad

    This bacon cabbage salad is warm, flavorful and the perfect meal. It has all the bold flavors of bacon with the earthy cabbage and nutty walnuts. Aged balsamic is the perfect glaze to this delicious vegetable salad.
    4.41 from 5 votes
    I love sharing new recipes with you guys and this bacon cabbage salad is one you are going to love! It is a salad that my mom has been making for our family for over 15 years. It is surprisingly easy to make yet it comes out seeming so fancy. This was one of the recipes of my moms I was most excited to learn how to make.
    PRINT RECIPE
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 20 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: bacon cabbage recipe, easy cabbage salad, gluten free bacon cabbage salad
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 81kcal
    Author: Chandice Probst

    Ingredients

    • 1 16 oz. package of nitrate-free, gluten-free bacon (I like Beelers)
    • 1 head purple cabbage chopped into thin strips
    • 1/2 C Feta cheese
    • 1/2 C raw walnuts chopped
    • 3 Tbls. gluten-free balsamic vinegar
    • Real Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large pan cook bacon until crisp
    • Transfer bacon to a plate to cool
    • Remove HALF, only HALF of the bacon grease from the pan
    • Add cabbage to the bacon grease and cook until slightly tender (It should still be a bright purple. If you overcook it you will lose the vibrant color and be left with a purple cabbage)
    • Add balsamic vinegar, chopped bacon and as many walnuts as you prefer and toss lightly
    • Transfer to a serving plate and top with Feta cheese and Real Salt to taste

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 805IU | Vitamin C: 39.8mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    This recipe was first posted on my old blog back in 2011. Since then we have added new photos, instructions and information but the recipe is the same. Here is a peek at the old photo…

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    Filed Under: Pork, Side Dishes Tagged With: cabbage, cabbage salad, pork, quick and easy, red cabbage salad, salad

    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi, I'm Chandice!

    Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brittney says

      June 11, 2019 at 3:39 am

      5 stars
      This is hands down one of my favorite recipes of all times!! For added protein and good fats I love frying up an egg or two to place on top! Sooo good! This is a must try! Even my picky husband was blown away by this! Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to try more of the recipes you have on here!

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        June 11, 2019 at 3:52 am

        Oh I love the idea of adding a fried egg! I’m so glad both you and your husband love it. Thanks! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Tera says

      January 10, 2019 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      My kiddos love this when they’re not being picky, but I know it’ll never go to waste because I can eat the whole recipe by myself, it’s that good!!!

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        January 11, 2019 at 5:44 am

        Haha, oh I love hearing that! It is one of my favorites too 🙂

        Reply
    3. Sydney Wynne says

      January 05, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      This is a favorite of mine. It’s crunchy, filled with flavor, healthy and a delicious way to use purple cabbage. It’s pretty easy too! I’m so glad to have a quick, easy and nutritious meal.

      Reply
    4. Wendy says

      April 10, 2011 at 9:59 pm

      Hey! I'm your newest follower…nice to “meet” you! Both my daughter and I have celiac.

      Reply
    5. McKella says

      April 03, 2011 at 11:27 pm

      She made that a few weeks ago when I was over there and it was amazing! I'll definitely make this soon, but with pecans instead of walnuts because hubby's allergic.

      Reply

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