Description
This traditional Irish Bacon and Cabbage Recipe uses only 5 simple ingredients to create a hearty and flavorful side dish perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day or any dinner occasion. The thick-cut bacon adds a smoky richness that complements the tender simmered cabbage and sweet onion, infused with mustard seeds and chicken broth for a deliciously comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 24 ounces thick-cut bacon
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 large onion
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Place a large stockpot over medium heat. Cut the bacon strips into 4 pieces each. Separate the pieces and add them to the pot. Stir and cook the bacon until it is partially cooked but not fully crispy, allowing it to render its fat and develop flavor.
- Prepare Onion and Cabbage: While the bacon cooks, peel the onion and cut it into 8 wedges. Cut the cabbage in half, remove the core, and then cut it into 12 wedges making sure pieces are of even size for uniform cooking.
- Sauté Onion: Add the onion wedges to the pot with partially cooked bacon. Sauté the onion for 3 to 4 minutes until it softens and becomes fragrant, mixing the flavors.
- Add Cabbage and Simmer: Add the cabbage wedges, chicken broth, and mustard seeds to the pot. Stir to adjust the cabbage so the thicker parts sit in the broth while bacon rises. Cover the pot and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes or until the thickest parts of the cabbage are tender, stirring once or twice during cooking.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper as needed. Serve the dish warm, optionally with whole grain mustard on the side for extra tang and flavor.
Notes
- Leftover cabbage and bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- Reheat leftovers in a large skillet over medium heat rather than using a microwave to preserve texture and flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or smoked tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Ensure cabbage wedges are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
