Shrimp, Sausage, Bacon & Cabbage
A hearty, comforting one skillet-dish made with tender shrimp, smoky sausage, and crispy bacon tossed with sautéed cabbage, all simmered together so the flavors meld into a savory, slightly smoky meal. Each bite delivers layers of complementary flavors – from crispy bacon bits to perfectly seasoned shrimp married with smoky sausage and flavorful cabbage. The combination creates a complete, satisfying meal that feels indulgent while showcasing cabbage’s remarkable ability to absorb surrounding flavors. Perfect for weeknight dinners when you crave something substantial, requires little preparation, and is budget friendly.
Why We Love This Recipe
- One-skillet dish that saves on clean-up.
- Budget-friendly meal that feels indulgent.
- Lots of protein that is filling and satisfying.
- But most of all – we love the flavors!
This recipe is adapted from kitchenscroll.com. I changed a couple of ingredients and increased the amounts of some.
Ingredients
Bacon: Thick-cut bacon is the foundation of this dish due to its rendered fat. All ingredients are sauteed in it.
Sweet onions: The original recipe called for half a yellow onion but I prefer sweet onions. They provide a touch of sweetness as they soften in the bacon drippings and they don’t make me cry when I cut them.
Shrimp: To save time be sure to use raw shrimp with tails off and deveined. I prefer 21-30 count peeled, tail off & deveined shrimp. (Basically this means there are 21-30 shrimp per pound.) While the shrimp’s back has been deveined, the underside has not and this size makes it easier to clean the underside. I know a lot of people don’t take the time to do the second deveining but I’m not comfortable eating shrimp poop.
Sausage: Skinless kielbasa or smoked sausage provide that deep smokiness and complements the shrimp.
Cabbage: Fresh cabbage cut into thin ribbons absorb the amazing flavors.
Garlic: We love garlic! The original recipe called for 3 cloves but I use closer to 6 cloves. Oh my! Garlic sauteed in bacon grease, yum!
Apples cider vinegar: Provides subtle acidity that balances richness.
Seasonings: Smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper and Red Lobster seafood seasoning are the final touches to this amazing dish.

Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to three days, with flavors actually improving overnight. Reheat gently in skillet for best texture preservation rather than microwave when possible. Consider slightly undercooking cabbage if planning for leftovers to prevent mushiness when reheated.
Common Questions
What is seafood seasoning? Typically refers to blends like Old Bay or Cajun seasonings. Both are a bit on the spicy side and contain a mix of herbs and spices that complement seafood well, including paprika, black pepper, salt, and sometimes celery salt or cayenne. I prefer to use Red Lobster Seafood Seasoning. It provides milder yet amazing flavors. If using the more spicy seasonings, you may want to reduce the amount of seasoning depending on your preference.
Is this dish Keto-friendly? Yes. With only 8g of carbs per serving (mostly from the cabbage and onions), this dish fits well into a ketogenic diet while providing plenty of protein and healthy fats.
Can I substitute meats? You can use ham instead of sausage, chicken instead of shrimp, or omit the bacon and use olive oil. Just keep in mind that bacon adds a lot of flavor to the base of the dish.
What sides complement this dish? Try my Quick & Easy: 30 Minute Dinner Rolls for those wanting carbs, or a simple side salad to add freshness and balance.
