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 butternut squash, corn and collard greens!
In my younger years I would have never dreamed of making anything with cabbage. Boy was I missing out! Cabbage is SO good as a side dish for just about any meal.
How to make cabbage in a crockpot:
- Cabbage – One large head of cabbage, cut into square pieces.
- 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.
- Seasonings – Salt and pepper is all I use. If you want a kick add 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flake.
How to cut a head 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.
How long do I cook?
- Cook on HIGH for 3 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- If you want crisper cabbage only cook for 2.5 hours.
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?
- 1 cup cubed ham
- 1-2 cups sliced kielbasa sausage
- 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.
More cabbage recipes for your slow cooker:
- Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Potatoes, Cabbage and Kielbasa
- Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls – Recipe by Jo Cooks
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Slow Cooker Cabbage
Cabbage cooked to perfection in the slow cooker along with bacon!
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Servings: 8
Calories: 296kcal
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
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)
- 1/4 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
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
- 1/8 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:
Recipe 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.
- Omit bacon and bacon grease.
- Add two vegetarian bouillon cubes.
- Add ¼ cup vegan butter.
Nutrition Information:
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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Can you cook this on low instead of high for 3 hours?
Thanks
Yes, I would try 5-6 hours on low.
What does the apple cider purpose serves as?
Adds flavor and tang.
I set up at night, and let the crock pot cook on low all night long. For a great weight watchers vegetable soup, I’ll throw in a bag of mixed vegetables in the morning. And if making the soup, you can swap out the water for tomato juice. Add beans if you like. Very versatile!
ADD CAN O ROTEL “MATERS OR REG “MATERS & ITALIAN SAUSAGE OR HB & YOU GOT AWESOME MEAL ,ALSO BELL PEPPERS & ONIONS ! YUMMY ! LOVE MY CABBAGE !
I made it but used 1/2 head each of green and red cabbage for some visual interest. Beautiful and delicious!
I literally just had a dish full & put the rest in the fridge. This is without a doubt one of my all time favorites. It’s so easy & cheap to make.
Love it Love it Love it.
Not only easy and cheap but healthy and delicious.
I use kielbasa. Never thought I would like cooked cabbage whis much. Hubby and I both crave it.
I make alot also using smoked sausage its awesome.
This meal is much in demand around here. We love it!
Love the flavor and ease of cooking this recipe.
Fry the bacon whole then break or cut into pieces. Big time saver.
Just made this and it’s quite tasty! I put it in the slow cooker before the football game and it was ready after the end of the game. Will put this on my KEEPER list!
I admire the simplicity of your cabbage recipe, which is superb!
In my (almost) vegan version I used bacon grease and butter, but one could substitute their favorite oil for the bacon flavor if desired.
I also used 1-1/2 cups of chicken stock in lieu of water, and 2T powdered onion and 1T pwdrd garlic, being a disciple of the late Paul Prudhomme (“the more flavors the merrier”).
Happy New Year, everyone!
(Also, 4 hours on Low in my slow cooker was plenty. And refrigerating overnite makes it even better!)
Love this site!
What is the purpose of the apple cider vinegar> Is it just for flavor?
Yes, it goes great with the cabbage.
I LIVE ON MY OWN & FRZ LOTZA STUFF FOR LATER….. – SO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OK TO FRZ IN SMALL LOTS OR WILL IT BECOME SOGGY WHEN THAWED & HEATED……???
– TKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ADVC……..
I think it will be soggy if frozen and thawed.
Can the leftovers be frozen?