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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Side Dishes » Slow Cooker Cabbage

Slow Cooker Cabbage

by Sarah Olson on September 29, 2020 | Updated June 19, 2022 33 Comments

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Collage of cabbage images with text of what ingredients are.
2 photo collage of slow cooker cabbage with text overlay that says: Slow Cooker Cabbage and Bacon

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!

cooked cabbage, bacon in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon in it.

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.

large head cabbage, bacon, salt, pepper, and bacon in front of a slow cooker.

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:

  1. Cut the cabbage down the middle, I do this through the stem.
  2. Remove the core by cutting a small triangle shape out of the cabbage.
  3. Turn the cabbage halves onto their flat side and cut into slices.
  4. Now, cut the opposite directions to make square pieces.
2 photo collage, cabbage halved on a cutting board. Other photo cut cabbage.

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

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.
cut cooked cabbage with bacon in the slow cooker

How can I make this vegetarian?

  • Omit the bacon and bacon grease.
  • Add two vegetarian bouillon cubes.
  • Add 1/4 cup vegan butter.
close up of cooked cabbage in slow cooker with wooden spoon in it.

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

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

cabbage and bacon in slow cooker with a wooden spoon

Slow Cooker Cabbage

4.93 from 41 votes
Cabbage cooked to perfection in the slow cooker along with bacon!
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 296kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

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)
US Customary – Metric

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.
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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.
How can I make vegetarian cabbage? 
  • 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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    9285 shares
    • 3000

    Filed Under: Side Dishes, St. Patrick's Day

    Comments

    1. Youlanda says

      November 6, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      can you use beef broth

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 6, 2022 at 5:28 pm

        Yes!

        Reply
    2. Jeanne ROLAND says

      March 14, 2022 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      I added a extra T of Apple cider vinegar
      Added 2 small sliced onions
      This was a great recipe and will add this to a regular.
      I paired it with a sweet potato as I am on low carb diet! Great supper!!

      Reply
    3. R S says

      March 2, 2022 at 9:11 am

      4 stars
      Smooth taste. I used a can of beer and a cup of water.

      Reply
    4. Anonymous says

      February 2, 2022 at 3:25 am

      5 stars
      DELICIOUS

      Reply
    5. Fortin says

      November 30, 2021 at 7:26 am

      Anyone else use a can of beer and butter for awesome, easy cabbage?

      Reply
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