Cabbage in the Crock Pot
Tender, slow-cooked cabbage seasoned with smoked meat and simple Southern spices — the kind of dish that fills the whole house with a smell that means supper is almost ready. This crock pot cabbage recipe is hands-off comfort food at its finest, built on the same traditions that have fed Southern families for generations.
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Sharp Chef's Knife
- Cutting board
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
The Cabbage Base
- 1 large head green cabbage (about 3 lbs), cored and roughly chopped into 2-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into half-moons
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
The Meat
- 12 oz smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into coins andouille, smoked pork sausage, or turkey sausage all work
- 1 ham hock or 4 oz diced ham optional but adds deep flavor
The Seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 tsp kosher salt adjust to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar added at end of cooking
Instructions
Prep the Ingredients
- Core and roughly chop the cabbage into 2-inch pieces. It will look like a lot, but it cooks down significantly. Slice the onion and mince the garlic. Slice the smoked sausage into coins about half an inch thick.
Layer the Crock Pot
- Place the ham hock (if using) in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add half the cabbage on top, then the onion and garlic, then the sliced sausage. Add the remaining cabbage on top — it will mound high but will compress as it cooks.
- Pour the chicken broth over everything. Scatter the butter pieces over the top of the cabbage. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes evenly over the whole pot.
Cook Low and Slow
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Low and slow is always preferred — the cabbage becomes silky and the flavors meld together in a way that faster cooking just cannot replicate.
Finish and Serve
- In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir the cabbage and taste for seasoning. Add the apple cider vinegar and stir it in — this brightens the whole dish. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. If you used a ham hock, pull it out, shred any meat off the bone, and stir it back in. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 16gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 890mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 2mg
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