Southern Smothered Cabbage with Smoked Turkey
This Southern smothered cabbage with smoked turkey is cooked low and slow with smoked turkey necks, onions, and seasonings until tender and full of rich, savory flavor. A classic soul food side dish, it’s an easy comfort food recipe perfect alongside cornbread, turkey wings, and other Southern favorites.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Unlike many Southern smothered cabbage recipes that use bacon or ham hocks, this version uses smoked turkey necks to create a rich, savory broth with plenty of smoky flavor. The cabbage cooks low and slow until tender, making it the perfect soul food side dish for cornbread, turkey wings, fried chicken, and other Southern comfort food favorites.
Recipe Highlights
Ingredient tips
- Cabbage: A standard green cabbage works best for traditional Southern smothered cabbage. As it cooks, the cabbage softens and absorbs the smoky broth while still maintaining some texture.
- Smoked turkey necks: Smoked turkey necks add rich flavor to the broth without needing bacon or ham hocks. As they simmer, the smoked meat seasons the cabbage and creates the savory flavor that makes this dish a Southern classic. Smoked turkey wings, smoked turkey legs, or smoked turkey tails can also be used.
- Onion: Onions add sweetness and depth to the broth as they cook down with the cabbage. A yellow onion is the best choice, but white onions work well too.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic provides a subtle background flavor that complements the smoked meat and cabbage without overpowering the dish.
- Salt & black pepper: The smoked turkey already contributes seasoning, so taste the broth before adding additional salt. Black pepper helps balance the richness and adds a little warmth to the finished dish.
Chef’s Tips
How To Make Smothered Cabbage
- First, add the smoked meat to a pot of water (about 4 cup) and bring to a boil then lower the temperature to medium low and allow the pot to simmer covered for 30 minutes. This will be the broth for the smothered cabbage.
- While the meat is boiling prep the other ingredients. Once the meat is finished you can shred the meat from the bones or wait until the entire recipe is finished. But, the meat goes great with the cabbage when serving.
- In a pot, sauté the onion and garlic together. Once browned, fragrant and softened add the water from the boiled meat. Add the meat and the large bones (flavor is still there) inside the pot.Then, add the sliced cabbage right on top.
- Now, cover the pot and allow the cabbage to cook on medium for about 15-20 minutes or until your desired texture for the cabbage. Season to taste before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is smothered cabbage?
Smothering food* is very similar to braising, except the cooking is typically done on the stovetop rather than in the oven. The food is cooked on a low heat with liquid until things are tender then served.
What are the best meats to use for smothered cabbage?
Traditional Southern smothered cabbage is often made with bacon, ham hocks, smoked sausage, or smoked turkey. For this recipe, smoked turkey necks are my preferred choice because they create a rich, flavorful broth while adding plenty of smoky flavor to the cabbage. Smoked turkey wings and smoked turkey legs are also excellent options.
Can I make smothered cabbage with smoked turkey necks?
Absolutely. Smoked turkey necks are one of the best options for smothered cabbage because they create a deeply flavorful broth as they simmer. The smoky broth seasons the cabbage while the meat can be shredded and served alongside the finished dish.
How long does it take to cook cabbage with smoked turkey?
The total cooking time is usually about 45-60 minutes, depending on how tender you prefer your cabbage. The smoked turkey is first simmered to create the broth, then the cabbage is cooked until soft and flavorful.
What to serve with smothered cabbage?
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Southern Smothered Cabbage with Smoked Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 medium cabbage sliced
- 1 package turkey necks smoked
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, add the smoked meat to a pot of water (about 4 cup) and bring to a boil then lower the temperature to medium low and allow the pot to simmer covered for 30 minutes. This will be the broth for the smothered cabbage.
- While the meat is boiling prep the other ingredients. Once the meat is finished you can shred the meat from the bones or wait until the entire recipe is finished. But, the meat goes great with the cabbage when serving.
- In a pot, sauté the onion and garlic together. Once browned, fragrant and softened add the water from the boiled meat. Add the meat and the large bones (flavor is still there) inside the pot.Then, add the sliced cabbage right on top.
- Now, cover the pot and allow the cabbage to cook on medium for about 15-20 minutes or until your desired texture for the cabbage. Season to taste before serving.