The Best Ever Cabbage & Apple Skillet with Honey Mustard (Easy Comfort Food)
I first made this Cabbage & Apple Skillet with Honey Mustard on a rainy Tuesday night when the pantry felt totally bare. My grandmother used to tell me that the simplest meals are often the most satisfying, and she was absolutely right. This recipe truly proved that motto.
It’s a perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors, transforming humble ingredients into pure autumn magic. It has quickly become our go-to easy dinner when we crave real, hearty comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
You are going to adore the way the crisp apples soften just slightly alongside the smoky bacon and tender cabbage. This tested family favorite is exactly what you need this week!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks right in the skillet, minimizing cleanup!
- Flavor Explosion: The honey mustard glaze provides the perfect sweet, spicy, and tangy contrast to the savory bacon.
- Affordable Ingredients: This recipe relies on budget-friendly pantry staples like cabbage and apples.
- Customizable: Easily adapt it to fit vegetarian or even keto needs (see tips below).
- Seasonal & Hearty: It’s the ultimate cozy side dish or light main meal for fall and winter.
What You Need to Make This Skillet
You only need a few simple pantry staples for this recipe!
We are focusing on high-quality Dijon mustard and crisp, slightly tart apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) to achieve the best flavor balance.
Check the full printable recipe card below for detailed measurements and specific ingredient notes.
đź’ˇ Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: Use a large skillet (12-inch minimum) so the cabbage can properly wilt and caramelize, rather than steam.
- Use Quality Bacon Grease: The flavor base of this dish comes from the bacon drippings. Don’t drain it all—use about 1 tablespoon to sautĂ© the vegetables.
- Perfect the Sauce Consistency: If your honey mustard sauce seems too thick, add a tiny splash of water or extra cider vinegar to thin it out slightly before tossing.
- Cabbage Cut: Cut the cabbage into thin, uniform shreds. This ensures even cooking and tenderness.
Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is incredibly flexible. Here are a few ways to tweak it to suit different dietary needs or preferences:
- Make it Vegetarian/Vegan: Skip the bacon entirely. Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegan butter. Use smoked paprika for a smoky depth.
- Keto/Low Carb Friendly: Omit the apples and replace the honey in the sauce with a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when the onions are sautéing, or use spicy brown mustard instead of Dijon.
- Add Protein: This makes a great side, but you can turn it into a full meal by stirring in cooked sliced smoked sausage or ground turkey during the last 5 minutes.
Storage & Freezing
This skillet dish is wonderful leftover, but it’s best consumed within a few days.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight!
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, or microwave in 60-second intervals. Avoid high heat, which can make the cabbage rubbery.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended. Cabbage loses its texture and becomes watery upon thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What kind of apples work best?
A: We recommend a firm apple that holds its shape, like Granny Smith (for tartness), Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Avoid soft varieties like Red Delicious.
Q: Can I use different mustard?
A: Yes, but Dijon provides the best balance of sharpness and depth needed to cut through the richness of the bacon. Yellow mustard is generally too mild for this recipe.
Q: What should I serve this with?
A: This dish pairs beautifully with roasted pork tenderloin, grilled chicken breast, or simple mashed potatoes. It also works great over a bed of rice!
Ready to Make This Skillet?
I promise this simple dish will become a staple in your rotation. The blend of textures and the savory-sweet sauce is truly addictive!
Don’t forget to scroll down to the printable recipe card below. Happy cooking!
Pin this recipe for later so you can easily find it on your next busy weeknight!
Easy Cabbage & Apple Skillet | Honey Mustard Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 head green cabbage (about 2.5 lbs), cored and thinly shredded
- 2 crisp apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and diced
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1 In a large (12-inch) skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving 1 Tbsp of drippings in the pan.
- Step 2 Add sliced onion to the skillet and sautu00e9 for 5 minutes until soft. Add the shredded cabbage and stir well. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is wilted and tender-crisp.
- Step 3 Stir in the diced apples, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing the apples to soften slightly but retain some bite.
- Step 4 While vegetables cook, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey in a small bowl to create the glaze.
- Step 5 Pour the honey mustard glaze over the cabbage mixture and stir to coat completely. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 6 Remove from heat. Stir in the reserved crispy bacon pieces. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.
Ingredients
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 head green cabbage (about 2.5 lbs), cored and thinly shredded
- 2 crisp apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and diced
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
