This Crockpot cabbage combines tender cabbage, bacon, onion, garlic, and broth, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker! That tasty comfort food flavor that you grew up enjoying at your Grandma's house comes alive in this simple cabbage recipe! With just a few simple ingredients and light prep work, you'll have a tasty vegetable side dish that even your kids will like!
Easy Slow Cooker Cabbage Recipe
The ease and simplicity of this flavorful cabbage dish are amazing! It's a great part of so many weeknight dinners, and this versatile dish can be served as a side or main!
Plus, the kids have always loved it! So this is a family favorite recipe from way back in the day that I hope you and your family enjoy as well!
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🥘 Crockpot Cabbage Ingredients, Notes & Substitutions
This is a practically effortless vegetable side dish once you are done prepping your cabbage and browning the bacon! If you are going to use a medium to large head of cabbage, I suggest using a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker.
- Bacon - 6 slices of bacon that are browned and chopped - or you can use ½ cup of real bacon crumbles. I prefer thick-sliced bacon and the better the quality, the better the flavor of your cabbage.
- Cabbage - 1 small cabbage that is cored and chopped.
- Onion - 2 tablespoons of dried minced onion, or use ½ large white or yellow onion sauteed in bacon grease. Baby pearl onions are also a delightful option that can be added without sautéing them first.
- Garlic - 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Minced garlic adds to the flavor and should not be skipped.
- Chicken Broth - 4 cups of chicken broth or use a chicken broth substitute. You could also use vegetable broth if desired. 4 cups is equal to 1 32-ounce carton of chicken broth.
- Salt & Pepper - Salt and pepper, each to taste.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Crockpot Cabbage
All it takes is 10 minutes of light prep work before your Crockpot takes over the rest for you! You will need a 6-quart slow cooker, some measuring spoons, a cutting board, a skillet, and a chef's knife to get started!
This recipe will make around 8 servings if you use 1 small head of green cabbage. You can always cook a larger cabbage if your slow cooker has enough space.
Cook the Cabbage
- Prep. Core 1 small cabbage and chop it up.
- Transfer. Place the chopped cabbage into a 6-quart Crockpot or slow cooker (reduce the recipe in half if you have a smaller crockpot).
- Add ingredients. Add 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of dried onion, 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of minced garlic, 6 slices of chopped bacon, and 4 cups (946 milliliters) of broth, then combine with the cabbage.
- Cook. Cover and set your crockpot or slow cooker to high. Cook for 4 hours or until the cabbage is tender. On the low setting, cook your cabbage for 6 - 8 hours.
- Season and serve. Taste the cabbage when done and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately and top with additional crunchy bacon if desired.
🍴 What To Serve With Crockpot Cabbage
This delicious cabbage can be served as a vegetable side dish to pair with practically any main course! I like to serve it with my oven-roasted chicken, Parmesan-crusted chicken, Parmesan-crusted pork chops, or balsamic chicken. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- To use a full head of cabbage, I suggest using a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker. Anything smaller will be crowded and not cook as quickly. If you have a smaller crockpot, reduce the recipe in half, including the cooking times.
- If you don't have garlic or onion on hand, use garlic powder or onion powder, starting with 1 teaspoon of each. Add more after cooking and tasting, if needed.
- To make this a vegetarian dish, omit the bacon, use vegetable broth, and skip adding any butter. The cooked cabbage is still wonderfully tasty!
- You can make this 'buttered' cabbage by adding 2-3 tablespoons of butter. I recommend stirring these in before adding the salt and pepper.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Store your remaining cooked cabbage once it has completely cooled in an airtight container. The cabbage will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.
Reheating Crockpot Cabbage
To reheat your cabbage simply microwave until warm, or pan fry in a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the cabbage for 3 to 5 minutes or until completely heated.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
To prepare your head of cabbage for the Crockpot, start by washing it thoroughly. Then, remove any outer leaves that look damaged. By using a sharp knife, carefully cut the core out of the cabbage and chop the cabbage down to your desired size.
Cabbage can have a mushy texture if it's overcooked. To avoid this, monitor the cooking time closely and aim for a tender yet slightly crisp texture. I recommend checking for doneness after the minimum recommended time on high or low to help prevent mushiness.
Yes, you can use various types of cabbage. Although I used green cabbage for this recipe, you could also use red cabbage or savoy cabbage. Just note that the choice of cabbage can affect the taste and appearance of the final results. If you have an Instant Pot handy, my braised red cabbage is another tasty vegetable side dish to try, or you could make it in the slow cooker!
😋 More Tasty Crockpot Recipes!
- Slow Cooker Crack Chicken - A creamy and delicious main course recipe that features shredded chicken, bacon, and ranch!
- Crockpot Creamy Salsa Chicken - A super effortless dinner that only takes 3 inexpensive ingredients to make!
- Sopa de Chicharos - A flavorful Cuban version of split pea soup with tender potatoes, squash, cumin, and chipotle flavors!
- Crockpot Mongolian Beef - A great no-fuss meal featuring flank steak cooked with ginger, garlic, green onions, brown sugar, and soy sauce!
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak - This slow-cooked Salisbury steak is topped with tender mushrooms and a delicious gravy!
- Crockpot Corn On The Cob - An incredibly easy way to cook up your family's favorite summer vegetable!
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📖 Recipe Card
Crockpot Cabbage
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon (browned and chopped - or ½ cup of real bacon crumbles)
- 1 small cabbage (cored and chopped)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoon dried minced onion (or ½ large white or yellow onion sauteed in bacon grease)
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth - 1 32 oz carton)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Brown the 6 slices bacon in a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat by placing the bacon strips into the pan while cold. Bring to medium heat and allow the bacon to cook until it releases naturally from the pan. Turn the bacon and cook the other side until it releases again. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, then chop the cooked bacon into strips or pieces.
- Place the chopped 1 small cabbage into a 6 qt crockpot or slow cooker (reduce the recipe in half if you have a smaller crockpot).
- Add the 2 tablespoon dried minced onion, 1 tablespoon garlic, 6 slices bacon, and 4 cups chicken broth, then combine with the 1 small cabbage.
- Cover and cook on high setting for 4 hours, or on low setting for 6-8 hours until the cabbage is tender. *If you are using a half head of cabbage, the cabbage is cooked in 2 hours at high heat and approximately 4-6 hours on low heat.
- Taste and season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste. Serve using a slotted spoon.
Notes
- To use a full head of cabbage, I suggest using a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker. Anything smaller will be crowded and not cook as quickly. If you have a smaller crockpot, reduce the recipe in half, including the cooking times.
- If you don't have garlic or onion on hand, use garlic powder or onion powder, starting with 1 teaspoon of each. Add more after cooking and tasting, if needed.
- To make this a vegetarian dish, omit the bacon, use vegetable broth, and skip adding any butter. The cooked cabbage is still wonderfully tasty!
- You can make this 'buttered' cabbage by adding 2-3 tablespoons of butter. I recommend stirring these in before adding the salt and pepper.
Anonymous says
All of my ER co-workers keep asking me to make this again so I’m making a triple batch for this New Year’s weekend at work! I like to add a few seasoned croutons on top of each cup for added texture! LOVE THIS!
Sam says
Angela;
Thank you for sharing your GraMa's cabbage recipe, it brings back such fabulous memories!! I almost forgot this favorite, I cannot wait to make it tomrw.
Looking forward to many more!