Slow Cooker Cabbage


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This Slow Cooker Cabbage recipe will help you make the best side dish with a head of cabbage and your crockpot. The cabbage is perfectly tender and flavored with plenty of bacon.

We love vegetable side dishes in our slow cooker. We also make crockpot butternut squash, slow cooker corn on the cob, and slow cooker collard greens!

cooked cabbage, bacon in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon in it.
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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Cabbage Recipe

In my younger years, I would have never dreamed of making anything with cabbage, let alone cooking it in a crock pot. Boy was I missing out! Cabbage is SO good as a side dish for just about any meal.

If you want to take the guesswork out of how to cook cabbage, this is going to be THE recipe for you. All you need are just a few ingredients like thick cut bacon, apple cider vinegar, and a couple of seasonings. The prep time is quick and the cooking time is just long enough to yield tender cabbage.

Delicious recipes like this make cooking a breeze and dinner simply delicious. It’s so good, even my kids enjoy it!

Recipe Ingredients

large head cabbage, bacon, salt, pepper, and bacon in front of a slow cooker.
  • Cabbage – One large head of cabbage, cut into square pieces. Have an abundance of cabbage? Try my Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls, or Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup.
  • Bacon -One entire package, sliced then cooked.
  • Bacon drippings (grease) – Save the drippings from the above bacon and add as much or little to your cabbage. This will give your cabbage extra flavor.
  • Water – I use only one cup. Other recipes suggest covering the cabbage in water but we are not making soup and adding too much water will make for bland cabbage. (For added flavor, consider using chicken broth.)
  • Seasonings – Salt and pepper is all I use. If you want a kick, add 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Step-by-Step Directions

2 photo collage, cabbage halved on a cutting board. Other photo cut cabbage.

Step One – Cut the cabbage in half through the stem (core). Cut the core out by cutting a triangle shape out of both sides. Lay the cabbage halves on its flat size. Cut the cabbage into 1-inch square pieces.

Step Two – Add the chopped cabbage wedges to the slow cooker.

Step Three – Cut the bacon before cooking into 1/2 inch pieces. Cook until browned in a skillet on the stove top, save the grease by pouring into a glass dish.

Step Four – Add the bacon, bacon grease (I use 1/4 cup, use as little or as much as you prefer), apple cider vinegar, water, salt, and pepper. Stir. Add red pepper flake if you want it spicy.

Step Five – Cook on HIGH for 3 hours. If you want a crisper cabbage dish, only cook for 2.5 hours on HIGH. Stir, serve hot and enjoy.

uncooked cabbage in a slow cooker with bacon and pepper on top.

How to Serve

  • Serve crockpot cabbage as is by simply transferring it to a serving dish or individual plates. You can garnish it with fresh herbs like parsley or a sprinkle of black pepper or red pepper flakes for added flavor.
  • This is the perfect vegetable to serve with main dishes such as slow cooker meatloaf, slow cooker chicken thighs, or a slow cooked pork roast.
  • It also pairs well with various sides such as mashed potatoes, grilled sausages, or crusty bread, depending on your preference.
cut cooked cabbage with bacon in the slow cooker

Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to prepare the cabbage?

Cut the cabbage down the middle, I do this through the stem. Remove the core by cutting a small triangle shape out of the cabbage. Turn the cabbage halves onto their flat side and cut into slices. Now, cut the opposite directions to make square pieces.

Can I use red (purple) cabbage instead of green?

You can interchange red cabbage for the green in this recipe. Some say red cabbage is sweeter than green and has floral notes.

What can I use instead of bacon?

One cup cubed ham, 1-2 cups sliced kielbasa sausage, or leave out the meat and just add 1/4 cup butter for flavor.

How can I make this vegetarian?

Omit the bacon and bacon grease. Add two vegetarian bouillon cubes. Add 1/4 cup vegan butter.

How do I store leftover cabbage?

To store leftover cooked cabbage, allow it to cool to room temperature, then add cabbage to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it is tightly sealed to maintain freshness.

close up of cooked cabbage in slow cooker with wooden spoon in it.

More cabbage recipes for your slow cooker:

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close up of crockpot cabbage and bacon

Slow Cooker Cabbage

4.81 from 21 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Cabbage cooked to perfection in the slow cooker along with bacon!

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 head cabbage, (large) this is about 8-10 cups but use it all if it fits in your slow cooker.
  • 12 oz. pkg. bacon, (be sure to save the bacon drippings)
  • ¼ cup bacon grease (from above bacon), use more or less if desired, this adds flavor to the cabbage
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
  • tsp. red pepper flakes, (this is optional, only use if you want this zippy)

Instructions 

  • Cut the cabbage in half through the stem (core). Cut the core out by cutting a triangle shape out of both sides.
  • Lay the cabbage halves on its flat size. Cut the cabbage into 1-inch square pieces. Add to the slow cooker.
  • Cut the bacon before cooking into 1/2 inch pieces. Cook until browned in a skillet on the stove top, save the grease by pouring into a glass dish.
  • Add the bacon, bacon grease (I use 1/4 cup, use as little or as much as you prefer), apple cider vinegar, water, salt, and pepper. Stir. Add red pepper flake if you want it spicy.
  • Cook on high for 3 hours. If you want a crisper cabbage dish, only cook for 2.5 hours on high.
  • Stir, serve and enjoy.

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

Can I use red cabbage instead of green?
Yes, red cabbage works perfectly fine in this recipe.
What can I use instead of bacon?
  • 1 cup cubed ham
  • 1-2 cups sliced kielbasa sausage
  • Leave out the meat and just add ¼ cup butter for flavor.
How can I make vegetarian cabbage? 
  • Omit bacon and bacon grease.
  • Add two vegetarian bouillon cubes.
  • Add ¼ cup vegan butter.
To store leftover cooked cabbage, allow it to cool to room temperature, then add cabbage to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it is tightly sealed to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1003mg | Potassium: 407mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 136IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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51 Comments

  1. Nell says:

    5 stars
    Terrific recipe. My husband loves it! It is now a go to recipe for me.

  2. Mary says:

    5 stars
    Made the Slow Cooker Cabbage today as directed. House smells great. I should have subbed the bacon for turkey bacon and the grease for chicken broth because the points are way high for my WW menu but….what the heck! I will just cut on something else during the day. LOL. But the flavor is wonderful and the texture is just right, not too soft nor too crispy. Thanks so much for the recipe. (By the way…the WW points add up to 11).

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      So glad you enjoyed them!

  3. James Thigpen says:

    5 stars
    First time cooking this.smells wonderful.still crispy.cant wait to try it.thanks.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Let me know how you like it!