Smothered Cabbage With Sausage Skillet (Printable Version)

Smoky sausage meets sweet, tender cabbage in this hearty one-pan wonder perfect for busy weeknights.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz smoked sausage such as kielbasa or andouille, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium green cabbage about 1.75 lbs, cored and sliced
03 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 large carrot, peeled and grated optional
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced optional

→ Fats and Oils

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

→ Liquids

13 - 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add onion and carrot and bell pepper if using. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add the sliced cabbage, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
05 - Pour in chicken broth. Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Uncover and return the browned sausage to the skillet. Stir well and continue cooking uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes, until cabbage is tender and slightly caramelized.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is faster than the meal itself.
  • The cabbage gets sweet and silky instead of boring and boiled.
  • Smoky sausage does all the heavy lifting for flavor, no fancy spices needed.
  • It reheats beautifully, so leftovers taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the sausage when browning, if the pieces touch too much they steam instead of getting crispy.
  • Resist the urge to uncover the skillet early, the steam is what softens the cabbage fast without turning it mushy.
  • If your cabbage releases a lot of water, just cook it a few extra minutes uncovered to let it evaporate and concentrate the flavor.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, it holds heat beautifully and gives you those perfect caramelized edges.
  • Slice the cabbage with the grain instead of across it, the pieces hold their shape better and don't turn to mush.
  • Taste your sausage before you season the dish, some are so smoky and salty you can cut back on the paprika and salt.
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