Smoked cabbage is a tasty side dish for any backyard BBQ. If you wrap the cabbage in bacon, it becomes an even more delicious feast.
Smoked Cabbage
I’ve often cooked cabbage as a side dish for St. Patrick’s Day with my Smoked Corned Beef. We also make coleslaw often, and my husband, who loves German food, really enjoys sauerkraut. Cabbage is a regular part of our diet, but it’s usually just a side or a condiment. I decided to make cabbage the main focus of a meal with a dish that looks as good as it tastes.
And what improves any dish? Bacon, obviously.
Bacon Wrapped Smoked Cabbage
I could have just topped the cabbage with bacon, but I wanted it to stand out as a dinner table centerpiece. So, I wrapped it in a bacon blanket. This process looks impressive and seems difficult, but it’s actually easy and takes less than 5 minutes. I have photographed the process before, so you can check it out and follow the steps! There’s also a sped-up video below the recipe card for visual learners.
You only need cabbage, bacon, some olive oil, and your favorite BBQ seasoning. I used my Homemade Sweet Rub to add a sweet and savory flavor to the cabbage. Since the seasoning only covers the outside, I apply it thickly.
How Long to Smoke Cabbage?
I tested this recipe several times and found that smoking it low and slow was best. I set my smoker to 275 degrees F for about 3 hours. This made the bacon crisp and the cabbage tender yet slightly crunchy. You can use any type of wood, but pecan or maple is recommended. This cabbage pairs well with any main protein you might be smoking, so you can use the same wood you’re already using that day.
Bacon Wrapped Smoked Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 medium green cabbage
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons Homemade Sweet Rub
- 12 slice Bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 275 degrees F using your favorite hard wood.
- Use a sharp knife to cut out the stem and part of the core from the cabbage.
- Drizzle olive oil over the cabbage head and spread it evenly. Season all sides of the cabbage with the sweet rub.
- Assemble your bacon weave on a large piece of parchment paper. Lay six slices of bacon side by side. Alternate six strips in the opposite direction, weaving them over and under the other strips. Roll the parchment around the bacon weave.
- Unroll the bacon weave over the cabbage. Secure the loose ends of the bacon to the cabbage with toothpicks.
- Place the wrapped cabbage on the smoker, close the lid, and smoke it for 3 hours.
- Remove the food from the smoker and take out all the toothpicks. Slice it into wedges and serve.