Dinner

Black Folks Southern Cabbage Recipe

ByHarper Ellington October 27, 2025October 27, 2025

Introduction

If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful side dish that’s easy to prepare, this Black Folks Southern Cabbage recipe is a perfect choice. Made with simple ingredients and packed with savory, tangy notes, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses. Whether it’s fried chicken, pork chops, or cornbread, this Southern classic will quickly become a favorite at your table.

The image shows a close-up of cooked cabbage in a black pan, with a spoon lifting a portion from the pan. The cabbage has multiple layers, starting with bright green leaves at the bottom and pale yellow to translucent cooked cabbage on top. Red chili flakes are sprinkled across the cabbage, adding small specks of red color. The texture looks soft and slightly shiny, showing it is cooked with some oil or butter. Steam rises from the cabbage, suggesting it is hot and fresh. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 lb green cabbage, chopped
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder (freshly ground preferred)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage and discard them. Cut out the core, then coarsely chop the cabbage leaves using a knife or food processor. Dice the yellow onion and set both aside.
Step 2: Place a cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely.
Step 3: Add the chopped cabbage and diced onion to the skillet with the melted butter. Pour in the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar. Sprinkle in Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, then cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Remove the lid and continue cooking the cabbage over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until tender. Stir occasionally and ensure the cabbage remains moist by not letting all the broth evaporate.
Step 5: Once the cabbage is tender and flavors have melded, serve immediately while hot. Enjoy your Southern comfort food classic!

Tips & Variations

Use savoy or napa cabbage if you prefer a slightly different texture, but avoid red cabbage to keep the traditional flavor.
For a lighter dish, substitute half the butter with olive oil, or use vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep the recipe vegetarian.
If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, try Cajun seasoning or a homemade mix of paprika, celery salt, and cayenne pepper.
Replace apple cider vinegar with white vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice for similar tanginess.
Cook cabbage over medium-low heat to keep it from becoming mushy—low and slow is key.

Storage

Let the cabbage cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days; leftovers often taste even better after a day or two. You can also freeze the cabbage for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags. To reheat, warm on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in 1-minute intervals with stirring between. Add a splash of chicken broth if it seems dry after storing.

How to Serve

A close-up of cooked leafy greens in a black skillet, showing two main layers: a base layer of soft, light green and translucent wilted cabbage leaves mixed with some darker green, curled kale leaves on top; small bits of red chili flakes and specks of black pepper are sprinkled throughout, adding color contrast and texture; the surface of the greens appears glossy with a light oily shine, and the skillet rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use red cabbage instead of green cabbage for this recipe?

Red cabbage has a different flavor and changes the dish’s color, so it’s best to stick to green cabbage or savoy/napa cabbage for authentic Southern flavor and appearance.

What if I don’t have Old Bay seasoning?

You can substitute with Cajun seasoning or create your own spice blend using paprika, celery salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to achieve a similar savory and spicy profile.