With just some vegetable broth and basic spices, this slow cooker cabbage recipe is an easy way to get a delicious vegetable on the table tonight. With nearly no prep work, this cabbage is cooked to perfection in the crockpot. Just set it and forget it! And if you’re looking for pairing ideas, we’ve included some recommendations like vegan sausage, bacon, and more!

We’ve all been there: a head of cabbage is set down in front of us and it’s bland and flavorless and just uninspiring. But it doesn’t have to be!

Now you could air fry cabbage or make cabbage steaks or even a cabbage smoothie, but if you want something more classic, grab your slow cooker. This slow cooker cabbage recipe uses vegetable broth and apple cider vinegar to highlight the natural sweetness of this veggie. Let’s cook!

Why you’ll love it

Little to no prep work is required because all you do is cut the cabbage, add everything to a slow cooker, and let it cook!
Tender and flavorful thanks to the cabbage cooking low and slow in a mixture of spices, apple cider vinegar, and broth.
Vegetarian! We’re replacing the bacon grease with butter, and replicating some of those classic non-vegetarian flavors (like kielbasa) with smoked paprika.

here’s what you’ll need

This is just a quick overview. Jump to the recipe card for the quantities.

Cabbage: I use green cabbage because it’s the most common for soft cooked cabbage. Red cabbage works too but it may color the cooking liquid.
The cooking liquid: To flavor the cabbage, we need vegetable broth and apple cider vinegar. It’s not enough to just spice the liquid; the liquid itself needs to be flavorful. I also add a bit of butter (fat) to help carry the flavor.
Spices and flavor: This cabbage recipe combines a hefty dose of salt, black pepper, paprika, and mustard.

what does fat do for recipes?

Butter might seem like a strange addition to cabbage, but fat carries the flavor. Going back to my food scientist days, fat not only carries tastes and odors, but provides a pleasant mouth feel. This leads to the best overall cabbage possible!

How to make cabbage in the Crockpot

Gone are the days of boiling cabbage in water. Once you learn how easy it is to cook it in the slow cooker, you’ll never go back. This is just an overview, though. Jump to the recipe card for the full instructions.

Chop the cabbage and add everything to the crock pot.
Cook it on low for 4-6 hours.

Recipe Testing Notes

When testing this recipe, I wanted to make sure it was truly packed with flavor! Here’s what I learned.

Using water instead of vegetable broth does not cut it. Water just leads to mediocre-tasting cabbage.
Butter is necessary for this cabbage. Without it, the dish tastes like cabbage and spices, but with butter, it tastes like flavored drenched cabbage.
Making it in the slow cooker is ideal because you just dump everything into the crockpot and let it cook. There’s no stirring in between or babysitting. (That said, this would also work on the stovetop.)

plays well with…

Cabbage makes a great base or side dish for many dishes. Here are just a few ideas I love to serve.

Make it a full Irish meal by serving it with potatoes, onion, carrots, vegan corned beef, or this vegan haggis recipe (Scottish).
Add protein by mixing in vegan sausage.

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How To Make Slow Cooker Cabbage (Vegetarian)

5 from 3 ratings

By: Sarah Bond

Prep: 5

Cook: 2

Total: 2 5

Servings: servings

With just some vegetable broth and basic spices, this slow cooker cabbage recipe is an easy way to get a delicious vegetable on the table tonight. With nearly no prep work, this cabbage is cooked to perfection in the crockpot. Just set it and forget it!

Ingredients

▢ 1 head cabbage, about 8 cups chopped
▢ 2 cups vegetable broth, 475 mL
▢ 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, 56 g
▢ 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 30 mL
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ ½ tsp each black pepper, smoked paprika
▢ 1 tsp mustard

Instructions

Prep: Cut cabbage into bite-sized chunks. Add cabbage to your slow cooker along with all remaining ingredients.
Slow cook, covered, on high for 2 to 3 hours, or on low for 4 to 6, stirring at least once during cooking. Cabbage should be tender when finished.

Notes

Storage: To store any leftover cabbage, let it cool completely and then place it in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

5 from 3 votes

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