Braised Cabbage with Bacon
- 5 thick-cut slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick pieces
(Can substitute black pepper pastrami) - Olive oil, if needed
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 medium green cabbage, cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1-1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Heat a 5-quart or larger Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Take the pot off the heat and let cool a few minutes. If you have less than 3 tablespoons of grease in the pot, add olive oil to make up the difference.
- Place the Dutch oven back over medium-high heat; add the garlic and stir.
- Place the cabbage wedges cut-side down in the pot (they will not sit in one layer). Cook undisturbed until the cabbage pieces on the bottom begin to slightly brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, bring up the cabbage sitting on the bottom to rotate the pieces on the top to the bottom of the pot. Continue cooking until the cabbage slightly wilts and more pieces brown on the edges, 7 to 8 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the broth, bay leaf, and salt. Simmer, stirring every few minutes, until the cabbage is tender and all the liquid is evaporated, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Scatter the crispy bacon on top and serve immediately.
