Bacon and Cabbage Bake

We created this dish for St. Patrick’s Day since cabbage is an Irish favorite. But the problem is I don’t really like cabbage. But we gave it a shot and I’ll be Blarney if we didn’t come up with a keeper!
This skillet bacon baked cabbage changes my mind about the green vegetable all together, and I think I got my honorary Irish card!
So whether you’re Irish or Okie, we wish you many blessings, good food and good luck!
4 – 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Bacon Baked Cabbage

Ingredients
  

  • 5 strips thick-cut bacon
  • 1 head green cabbage coarsely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
  • Remove 4 of the outer leaves of the cabbage and set aside.
  • Chop 2 strips of the bacon and add to a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon pieces from the skillet, place on a paper towel and set aside. Reserve the grease in the skillet.
  • Add the cabbage to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Stir in the garlic. Cut the remaining 3 strips of bacon into 1–inch pieces and place evenly on top of the cabbage. Season with salt, pepper and smoked paprika, to taste.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes or until the cabbage is tender. About 10 minutes before the cabbage is done, add 3 tablespoons of butter on the top of the dish and continue baking.
  • Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Chop the reserved cabbage leaves and add to the skillet. Cook until the leaves are charred about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Remove the skillet from the oven and season again, if needed. Sprinkle the charred cabbage and cooked bacon evenly on top. Serve warm.
  • Tip: Depending on how your oven heats, you may want to move the skillet toward the bottom rack so the cabbage cooks more evenly.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!