One Skillet Protein Meal (Print Format)

Crispy bacon, smoky sausage, and tender shrimp cooked with seasoned cabbage in one skillet for an easy, protein-packed meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Protein trio

01 - 5 strips bacon, chopped into bite-sized pieces
02 - 10-12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 - 1 link kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds

→ Fresh vegetables

04 - 3 cups cabbage, sliced into thin strips
05 - ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Flavorful seasonings

07 - 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
08 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
10 - ¼ teaspoon salt
11 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

→ Cooking essentials

13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
14 - 2 tablespoons butter, divided
15 - 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

# Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, drizzle your shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with seafood seasoning. Toss everything together so each shrimp gets nicely coated, then set aside to marinate while you prep everything else.
02 - Heat up a large skillet over medium heat and add your chopped bacon. Cook it for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's nice and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to move the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, but leave all that delicious bacon grease in the skillet.
03 - Add your sliced kielbasa to that hot bacon grease and let it get beautifully browned on each side - about 2-3 minutes per side should do it. Remove it and set it aside with your crispy bacon.
04 - Place your seasoned shrimp in the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and curl into a nice 'C' shape - that's your sign they're perfectly done! Don't overcook them or they'll get tough.
05 - Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet along with your chopped onions, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you're using them. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring now and then, until the onions start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until it smells amazing.
06 - Stir in the remaining butter and apple cider vinegar, letting them melt into all those beautiful flavors. Add your sliced cabbage and toss everything together so it gets coated with all the good stuff in the pan.
07 - Cook the cabbage for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's tender but still has a little bite to it. Add back your bacon, sausage, and shrimp, stirring gently to combine and warm everything through. Serve immediately while it's hot!

# Tips:

01 - The secret to this dish is cooking each protein separately to get the best flavor and texture from each one.
02 - Watch your shrimp carefully - they should form a 'C' shape when perfectly cooked, not a tight 'O' which means they're overdone.
03 - That bacon grease is liquid gold for flavor, but feel free to drain some if it seems like too much for your taste.
04 - This meal is naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, so it's satisfying without needing any rice or pasta on the side.
05 - Leftovers keep great in the fridge for up to 3 days and taste amazing reheated in a skillet the next day.

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