Keto Creamed Savoy Cabbage with Bacon
Savoy cabbage is an unfairly overlooked winter vegetable. On keto it shines thanks to low carbs (around 3 g net per 100 g), plenty of vitamin K and a robust flavor that holds its own against cream and bacon. Braised rather than just boiled, with nutmeg and black pepper, it becomes a classic German side. Per serving: 5 g net carbs, 24 g fat, 9 g protein. Pairs well with roast pork, pot roast, goose leg or lamb shoulder.
Key facts at a glance
- Preparation time: approx. 30 minutes.
- Approx. 5 g net carbs and 24 g fat per serving.
- Ingredients: savoy cabbage, bacon, shallot, garlic, cream, butter, nutmeg.
- Important: blanch the savoy cabbage briefly, this mellows the flavor and speeds up cooking.
Ingredients
Enough as a side for 4 people, for example with roast pork or game.
| Amount | Ingredient | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| savoy cabbage | trimmed, in strips | |||
| trimmed, in strips | ||||
| streaky bacon | diced | |||
| diced | ||||
| shallot | finely diced | |||
| finely diced | ||||
| garlic cloves | finely chopped | |||
| finely chopped | ||||
| butter | - | |||
| cream | - | |||
| nutmeg | freshly grated | |||
| freshly grated | ||||
| salt | to taste | |||
| to taste | ||||
| black pepper | to taste | |||
| to taste | ||||
Preparation
Wash half a savoy cabbage (about 600 g), cut out the tough core and slice the leaves into strips 1 to 2 cm wide. Blanch in plenty of salted water for 3 minutes, then drain and let dry well. Dice 80 g of streaky bacon into fine cubes and render until crisp in a large pot. Finely dice 1 shallot and 2 garlic cloves and sweat them in the bacon fat for 1 to 2 minutes until translucent. Add 30 g butter and the drained savoy cabbage, mix well and season with salt, freshly grated nutmeg and black pepper. Pour in 200 ml cream, bring to a boil once, cover and braise gently over low heat for 15 minutes until the cabbage is tender but not mushy. Remove the lid and simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Season to taste with salt, pepper and a little more nutmeg.
Why is savoy cabbage a perfect keto winter vegetable?
Savoy cabbage belongs to the cruciferous family, like cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. It is particularly rich in vitamin K (around 200 µg per 100 g, more than 200 percent of the daily requirement), vitamin C and glucosinolates, which are suspected to have cancer-protective effects. Its low carb content of around 3 g net per 100 g makes it ideal for a ketogenic diet. Braised in cream, its hearty note is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the milk proteins.
How can I vary creamed savoy cabbage?
With apple: dice half a pear or a tart apple and braise along with the cabbage. Great with game and goose, though it adds one or two grams of carbs. With mountain cheese: stir 50 g of grated mountain cheese or Gruyère into the finished cabbage. Very rich, with a Swiss touch. With caraway: toast 1/2 tsp caraway seeds with the shallots. Traditional and good for digestion. With mushrooms: sauté 200 g sliced mushrooms with the bacon. Doubles the portion and pairs well with pot roast. Vegetarian: leave out the bacon and replace with 60 g of toasted walnuts. Nutty and filling.
Tips for foolproof creamed savoy cabbage
- Blanching is the trick to tame the coarse cabbage flavor.
- Cut the core out thoroughly, it is tough and takes too long to cook.
- Braise the cream over low heat, do not boil vigorously.
- Grate nutmeg fresh, the pre-ground jarred kind is too weak.
- The cabbage should be tender but still have a slight bite, do not overcook.
Nutrition values
| Nutrient | Per serving | Keto rating |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | approx. 290 kcal | Filling. |
| Filling. | ||
| Fat | approx. 24 g | From cream, bacon, butter. |
| From cream, bacon, butter. | ||
| Net carbs | approx. 5 g | Low. |
| Low. | ||
| Protein | approx. 9 g | From bacon and cream. |
| From bacon and cream. | ||
| Fiber | approx. 4 g | Good. |
| Good. | ||
| Salt | approx. 1.4 g | From bacon. |
| From bacon. | ||
Note: Nutrition values are estimated averages per 100 g and per serving and may vary depending on ingredients, brands, portion size, and preparation. They do not replace individual nutrition or medical advice.
FAQ
Savoy cabbage or white cabbage?
Savoy cabbage is noticeably milder, cooks faster and has a finer flavor. White cabbage brings more sweetness but also more intense cabbage notes. Both work for this recipe, just extend the cooking time by 5 minutes when using white cabbage.
Can I freeze creamed savoy cabbage?
Yes, very well. Portion into freezer bags and it keeps for 3 months. To reheat, warm slowly in a pot and stir in a splash of cream if the sauce has separated.
Which main dishes pair well?
Classic with roast pork, sauerbraten, goose leg or game. Also delicious with bratwurst, smoked pork chop or grilled lamb chop. For a vegetarian plate, serve with a fried egg or pan-seared tofu.