Zesty Cabbage Stir-Fry with Shrimp & Sausage Recipe

Crisp cabbage dances with succulent shrimp and hearty sausage in this mouthwatering fried cabbage recipe that promises explosive flavor.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated these bold combinations of protein and vegetables.

The dish brings together smoky sausage, tender shrimp, and caramelized cabbage in a skillet of pure comfort.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of savory notes and satisfying textures.

Weeknight dinners welcome this simple yet impressive meal that comes together in minutes.

Home cooks can easily elevate their culinary skills with this one-pan wonder.

This recipe guarantees a delicious experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serving Fried Cabbage with a Savory Touch

• Southern Comfort Bowl: Ladle the sizzling mixture over fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty, satisfying meal that brings Southern cooking right to your table.
• Seafood Lover's Platter: Serve the fried cabbage creation on a large platter with lemon wedges, highlighting the shrimp's succulence and creating a stunning presentation for dinner guests.
• Quick Weeknight Meal Hack: Pack leftovers in meal prep containers for a delicious lunch, ensuring each bite includes a perfect mix of crispy bacon, tender shrimp, and flavorful cabbage.
• Brunch Twist: Top the dish with a perfectly fried egg and some hot sauce for a breakfast-style version that adds extra richness and kicks up the flavor profile.

Store Fried Cabbage with Shrimp the Smart Way

• Refrigeration Magic: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dish fresh and maintaining its delicious flavors. Separate components will help prevent sogginess and preserve the crispy texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Cool the dish completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring you have a quick and tasty meal ready when needed. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Meal Prep Brilliance: Chop vegetables and slice meats in advance to cut down cooking time. Prepare larger batches and portion into individual containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm the dish in a skillet over medium heat to restore its original crispy texture. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out, ensuring the shrimp and sausage stay tender and flavorful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 4

What’s in Fried Cabbage with Shrimp & Sausage

• Bacon: Crispy flavor bomb that adds rich, smoky undertones to the entire dish.
• Smoked Sausage: Delivers deep, hearty flavor and complements the seafood perfectly.
• Shrimp: Sweet, tender protein that brings delicate oceanic notes to the skillet.

• Onion: Provides sweet, caramelized base flavor and aromatic foundation.
• Garlic: Adds intense, pungent depth and classic savory essence to the dish.
• Cabbage: Creates tender, slightly crunchy texture with mild, earthy undertones.

• Smoked Paprika: Introduces subtle smoky warmth and vibrant reddish color.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Delivers gentle, spicy kick for adventurous palates.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies all other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Brings subtle heat and traditional seasoning touch.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, fresh garnish with clean herbal notes.
• Olive Oil/Butter: Provides smooth cooking medium and additional richness.

Tools for Cooking Fried Cabbage with Shrimp

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking all ingredients, creates depth of flavor by using the same pan.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing bacon and sausage while keeping grease in the pan.
• Chef's Knife: Needed for chopping bacon, slicing sausage, dicing onions, and shredding cabbage.
• Cutting Board: Provides surface for preparing ingredients safely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir and mix ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for adding precise amounts of spices and seasonings.

Making Fried Cabbage with Shrimp & Sausage

• Crisp the Bacon

Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, keeping the delicious bacon grease in the pan.

• Brown the Sausage

Toss sliced smoked sausage into the skillet and cook until edges turn deep brown. Transfer sausage to the same plate as the bacon.

• Sizzle the Aromatics

Splash a touch of olive oil if needed. Toss diced onions and minced garlic into the pan, cooking until they release their fragrant aroma and soften.

• Transform the Cabbage

Tumble shredded cabbage into the skillet. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until cabbage wilts and caramelizes slightly.

• Dance with Shrimp

Drop shrimp into the pan, cooking until they turn rosy pink and look perfectly plump.

• Mix and Marry

Return bacon and sausage to the skillet. Stir everything together, letting flavors mingle and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings as you like.

• Serve with Flair

Optional: Scatter fresh parsley on top. Serve steaming hot alongside cornbread or fluffy rice for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Tips for Frying Shrimp and Cabbage Just Right

• Bacon Grease Magic: Leverage the leftover bacon fat for an extra layer of smoky, rich flavor that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the heat by modifying red pepper flake quantities – use less for mild palates or add more for adventurous spice lovers who enjoy a kick.
• Veggie Protein Swap: Replace shrimp and sausage with plant-based alternatives like tofu, tempeh, or meat substitutes for a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the recipe's robust texture.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: This dish stores beautifully in refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for batch cooking and quick lunches throughout the week – flavors actually improve after sitting overnight.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip serving over rice and instead enjoy this skillet mixture as a standalone protein-packed meal for those following ketogenic or low-carbohydrate dietary approaches.

Sizzling Fried Cabbage With Shrimp & Sausage Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savory fried cabbage with shrimp & sausage brings Southern comfort to your plate. Hearty flavors meld together, creating a satisfying one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• ½ pound (225 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ pound (225 g) smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Chopped parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Render bacon in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp. Transfer crispy bacon to a plate, reserving the smoky drippings.
2. Sausage Searing: Brown sliced smoked sausage in the same skillet until caramelized, then remove and set aside with the bacon.
3. Aromatic Base: Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the skillet until softened, releasing their fragrant notes.
4. Cabbage Transformation: Add shredded cabbage to the skillet, seasoning with smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook until cabbage wilts and edges char slightly.
5. Shrimp Integration: Introduce raw shrimp to the cabbage mixture, cooking until they turn from translucent to vibrant pink, signaling perfect doneness.
6. Flavor Fusion: Combine reserved bacon and sausage with the skillet contents, stirring to distribute heat and flavors evenly. Adjust seasonings to taste.
7. Serving Finale: Plate the sizzling medley, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley. Serve alongside warm cornbread or fluffy rice for a complete meal.

Notes

• Bacon Rendering Technique: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to extract maximum flavor and create crispy bits without burning.
• Sausage Browning Precision: Achieve a deep caramel color by allowing sausage pieces to develop a golden crust without overcrowding the skillet.
• Cabbage Wilting Strategy: Stir frequently to prevent burning and ensure even cooking, allowing cabbage to soften but maintain a slight crunch.
• Shrimp Doneness Indicator: Watch for the color change from translucent to opaque pink, which signals perfectly cooked shrimp – avoid overcooking to prevent rubbery texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg