Haluski (Fried Cabbage and Noodles) Recipe
Haluski is a comforting Eastern European dish featuring tender fried cabbage mixed with buttery egg noodles and crispy bacon. This hearty and simple meal combines the savory flavors of caramelized onions, smoky bacon, and sautéed cabbage for a deliciously satisfying side or main dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Fat
- 4 ounces bacon, diced small (or 2 ounces pancetta for a less smoky flavor)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
Vegetables
- 2 cups yellow onion, diced
- 1 ½ pounds green cabbage, cored and cut into one-inch chunks
Dry Goods
- 6 ounces dry egg noodles, dumpling or extra broad size
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus extra for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a nonstick medium pot over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crisp. This renders out the fat and creates crispy pieces to add flavor and texture.
- Remove Bacon and Retain Fat: Using a spider or strainer, remove the bacon pieces from the pot. Leave one tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan and discard the rest. This fat will be used to sauté the vegetables for extra flavor.
- Sauté Onions: Keep heat on medium. Add two tablespoons of butter to the pan along with the diced onions. Cook for two minutes until the onions start to soften and become translucent.
- Cook Cabbage: Add another two tablespoons of butter, the chopped cabbage, kosher salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and cook until the cabbage is heated through. Then add back the cooked bacon pieces, cover the pot, and cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until the cabbage is tender.
- Prepare Noodles: While the cabbage cooks, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles well.
- Combine Noodles and Cabbage: Once the cabbage is tender, add the drained noodles to the pot along with the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Stir everything well and heat until the dish reaches serving temperature.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Serve hot as a hearty side or main dish.
- Traditional Serving: Haluski is traditionally served with a heavy hand of black pepper to enhance its robust flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute pancetta for bacon if you prefer a milder, less smoky flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use all butter or a plant-based fat.
- Adjust cabbage cooking time based on your preferred texture—less time for crunchier cabbage, more time for softer.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with sausages, kielbasa, or as a side to roasted meats.
- Leftovers reheat well on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Keywords: Haluski, fried cabbage and noodles, Eastern European recipe, bacon and cabbage, comfort food, egg noodles, sautéed cabbage
