Fried Cabbage and Ham

Fried Cabbage and Ham is sauteed in onions and garlic until it’s tender and infused with the smoky flavors of ham. Enjoy this as a low-carb main or side!

This one-pan dish takes no time to make, just like our popular Honey Citrus Salmon, Jalapeno Popper Pasta, and Lemon Thyme Chicken!

Cabbage and Ham Recipe

Fried Cabbage and Ham is a rustic combo of soft and tender cabbage plus juicy chunks of ham. But it’s far from bland – the vegetables absorb so much flavor from the fried onions and broth, and there’s so much umami from the ham. It’s hard to put the fork down!

The key here is to let the cabbage really wilt down until it’s so soft, it melts in your mouth. You can also change it up in lots of ways, like adding bacon or sausage, including other veggies, and using other tasty seasonings!

Is Fried Cabbage and Ham low in carbs?

Incredibly so. First, you only consume 2 grams of net carbs for every serving of cooked cabbage. Next, ham is also a low-carb protein, especially without carb-packed glazes. You can eat a lot of these two food items on a keto diet.

Is ham low carb?

Yes, especially when it is plain smoked or cured. In its natural state, this delicious protein is high in fat with very minimal carbs— exactly what you need on a ketogenic meal plan!

What do you need to make Fried Cabbage and Ham?

• Ham: Dice it up into bite-sized pieces.
• Cabbage and veggies: Use white or green, and chop it up roughly as big as the meat.
• Stock: You can use vegetable stock or chicken broth. We prefer low-sodium to keep down the salt in the dish.
• Aromatics: Minced some fresh garlic finely (about four cloves), plus chop a large onion.
• Seasonings: Kosher salt and fresh-ground black pepper.

How do you make Fried Cabbage and Ham from scratch?

1. Sauté. Brown the onion garlic and ham in oil until it’s crispy and golden. Add the aromatics and keep sautéing until fragrant and soft. Finally, add the cabbage and the broth. Let everything cook down until the veggies are translucent and really tender, then season.
2. Serve. Enjoy hot as a light main or as a side!

Recipe variations:

• Use other meats: Protein-wise, this dish is very versatile. Instead of OR in addition to the ham, add sliced sausages, diced bacon, shredded chicken, pork strips, or ground beef.
• Add beer: For a more complex flavor, substitute half of the stock with beer.
• Vegan: Skip the ham and use vegan ground meat, and use vegetable broth.
• Include other veggies: This is an excellent “sweep the fridge” recipe! Chop up whatever stray you have on hand – carrots, baby spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, snow peas, etc.— and add it to the dish.
• Use other seasonings: Kick up the flavor with herbs (basil, Italian seasonings, thyme), curry seasoning, Old Bay, or lemon pepper.

How long is fried cabbage good for?

You can keep this for up to 3 to 5 days, which makes it really good for meal prep! Double or triple the batch so you can have a healthy and delicious low-carb dish you can reheat anytime.

How do you store leftovers?

Cool it down first before transferring to a tightly-sealed container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze this in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.

To reheat, defrost first if doing so from frozen. You can heat it up with a splash of broth in the skillet, or microwave it for a minute or two until hot.

What do you eat with fried cabbage?

This dish will work as a light lunch or dinner because you already have those veggies and meat in one. For a heartier low-carb meal, however, try it with some Low-Carb Mongolian Beef, Low Carb Chinese Lemon Chicken, this juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast. Not on strict keto? It’s fantastic with Peach Pork Chops or Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions!

More cabbage recipes:

• Fried Cabbage and Noodles
• Sweet and Sour Cabbage
• Healthy Sauteed Cabbage
• Cabbage Salad
• Ground Beef and Cabbage – One Pan

Recipe tips:

• Add butter for extra richness and flavor.
• Use low-sodium broth and lean ham for a healthier dish.
• Keep the size of the meat and the veggies roughly similar, so you can fit them both in one bite!

5 from 7 votes

Print

Fried Cabbage and Ham

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Fried Cabbage and Ham is sauteed in onions and garlic until it’s tender and infused with the smoky flavors of ham. Enjoy this as a low-carb main or side!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Fried Cabbage and Ham

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 168 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced ham
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 head large green cabbage roughly chopped
• 1 cup broth chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place a large, heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add oil and once the oil is hot, add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic, cook one more minute.
3. Add the ham and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes
4. Next, add the cabbage and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Pour the broth on top, season with salt and pepper, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
6. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
7. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Fried Cabbage and Ham

Amount Per Serving

Calories 168 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 980mg43%

Potassium 292mg8%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 12g24%

Vitamin A 113IU2%

Vitamin C 49mg59%

Calcium 61mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.