Slow Cooker Cabbage
Hearty and flavorful slow-cooker cabbage is the ideal cold-weather meal. The smells and warmth of aromatic garlic, tender cabbage and bacon bring to mind fond images of nestling down for a long winter.
Suitable for gluten-free and low-carb diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Wintertime comfort foods are treasures of minimal ingredients and short preparation, allowing for plenty of quality time with those we love. Gathering your family around slow cooker cabbage warms both heart and soul!
Crock pot cabbage with bacon is a comforting meal that brings together the hearty flavors of tender cabbage and smoky, crispy bacon. Slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld seamlessly, creating a dish that is not only delicious but also incredibly convenient!
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Just like my tasty Crockpot Green Beans, this cabbage and bacon is rich in flavor. With minimal preparation, you can set the ingredients in the slow cooker and let time and gentle heat work their magic. It’s the perfect dish for busy people looking for a flavorful and hassle-free meal.
This tender cooked cabbage with bacon is both flexible and filling. You can use ham, bacon, rotisserie chicken or turkey for protein, turning it into the main course. The smells and tastes of this cozy dish are sure to please.
Trust me, there’s no wrong way to serve crockpot cabbage!
Why Make This Recipe
- Hearty – With or without bacon, cabbage is a hearty and satisfying dish.
- Flavorsome – Boasting aromatic garlic, rich butter and crispy bacon, this hearty cuisine is bursting with flavor.
- Adaptable – Cabbage pairs well with almost any meat main dish for a filling and satisfying side.
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Ingredient Notes
- Cabbage – Cabbage has a crisp texture and a slightly peppery or sweet flavor, especially when cooked.
- Bacon – The smoky rich flavor of bacon really makes this dish.
- Garlic – Adds a savory depth when paired with the bacon. You can substitute garlic powder but the flavor won’t be as intense.
- Onion Powder – Brings subtle onion flavor without having to chop onions or have the onion texture
- Broth – Here you can use chicken or vegetable broth to add flavor.
- Butter – Makes everything better, right?
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make Slow Cooker Cabbage
Don’t forget to check out my slow cooker recipes for more delicious meal ideas.
Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.
Step 1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and let cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Pour grease into a small bowl and set aside. Chop the cooled bacon into small pieces.
Step 2. Prepare the cabbage by roughly chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3. Add the chopped cabbage, bacon, minced garlic, melted butter, broth, bacon grease, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Step 4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours, or high heat for 3 hours. When done, taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Choose quality bacon for a rich flavor. Smoked or unsmoked options or flavored bacon can add distinct profiles to your dish.
- Use fresh, green cabbage. Remove the tough outer leaves and core before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to balance the flavors.
- Stit the ingredients well to make sure the flavors are well incorporated.
- Introduce carrots or potatoes for additional textures and flavors. Their cooking times are similar.
- Trim excess fat from bacon before cooking to prevent the dish from becoming overly greasy.
- If possible, stir the ingredients gently halfway through the cooking time. This helps to distribute the flavors and ensures even cooking.
- Once cooked, taste the cabbage and bacon mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve as a side or a main course!
Delicious Variations
- Cook in a skillet. Use the same ingredients except leave out the broth. Cook on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet, Dutch oven or your favorite skillet. Render the bacon, then add the chopped cabbage and continue cooking them together. The bacon will crisp up and the cabbage will wilt, but take it off the heat when the cabbage is still slightly crunchy.
- Add sausage. Stir in slices of cooked smoked sausage or kielbasa sausage about 30 minutes before serving for a complete and hearty meal.
- Make it spicy. Stir in a bit of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Garnish. Consider garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme just before serving. This adds a burst of freshness to the dish.
- Make Cabbage Soup. Add additional broth to the cooked cabbage recipe along with tomato sauce and Italian seasoning for a flavorful soup.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Prepare in advance and warm through on the stovetop to serve.
- Store – Store in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze – Cool completely, then place in a freezer safe and airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat – From frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. After thawing, cook in a skillet until warmed through.
FAQs
You can use any type of cabbage including red cabbage, but green cabbage is commonly used for this dish. Remove the tough outer leaves and core before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
Browning the bacon before adding it to the slow cooker is optional but recommended. It adds a layer of flavor and helps render the fat for a richer taste
Feel free to add onions, garlic, or other vegetables for extra flavor. Carrots and potatoes are good options that complement the dish and have similar cooking times.
Cook the bacon using the saute function of the Instant Pot. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds before adding the remaining ingredients. Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to manual/pressure cook mode. Cook on high pressure for about 5-7 minutes. Use a quick release once the cooking time is complete.
Similar Recipes
Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of crock pot recipes, or start a few of my most popular dishes:
Serve with:
- Pair with Air Fryer Ham and Baked Mac and Cheese for a comfort food feast.
- Easy Instant Pot Whole Chicken is a versatile and fuss-free accompaniment.
- This Air Fryer Corned Beef for a classic St Paddy’s Day combination!
Recommended Tools
- Sharp knives for quick and easy prep work.
- Select a good quality skillet for browning the bacon.
- A great slow cooker that’s suited to your family’s size and has high and low cooking speeds.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Be sure to check out more of my easy and delicious slow cooker recipes!
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Get The Slow Cooker Cabbage Recipe
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Slow Cooker Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 small head of cabbage
- 1 pound (450g) bacon cooked and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup (236ml) chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Precook the bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and let it cool. Pour grease released from the bacon in a small bowl and set aside.Once cooled, chop the bacon into small pieces.
- Chop cabbage roughly into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the chopped cabbage, chopped cooked bacon, minced garlic, melted butter, chicken or vegetable broth, bacon grease, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker.
- Stir the ingredients together to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours on low heat or on high heat for 3 hours. The cabbage should become tender and the flavors will meld together.
- Once cooked, taste the cabbage and bacon mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Video
Notes
- Choose quality bacon for a rich flavor. Smoked or unsmoked options or flavored bacon can add distinct profiles to your dish.
- Use fresh, green cabbage. Remove the tough outer leaves and core before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Stit the ingredients well to make sure the flavors are well incorporated.
- Introduce carrots or potatoes for additional textures and flavors. Their cooking times are similar.
- Trim excess fat from bacon before cooking to prevent the dish from becoming overly greasy.
- If possible, stir the ingredients gently halfway through the cooking time. This helps to distribute the flavors and ensures even cooking.
- Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
- There are 10 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
