If you haven’t made a whole head of cabbage in slow cooker it’s so easy! Gets it tender to the core in just a few hours. Just one healthy side dish on our list of easy cabbage recipes.
Like my Grandmother did, I just love this green (or red) vegetable! There are tons of ways to saute, steam and cook it with ham or bacon. For this one we are keeping it simple and cooking a whole cabbage in a Crockpot this time. OMG it was just so easy y’all. (affiliate links present)
Slow Cooker Whole Cabbage
Ok so I started this journey with our pressure cooker, that worked fabulous as well. You can find those instructions in our how to cook a whole cabbage post. I thought I would add to that in case you didn’t have that machine and wanted to share the “old fashioned” method too. You don’t need much.
That is right, you are essentially steaming cabbage with this pot and it only takes a few hours. I have two so many times I will make a main dish in one and this in the other. Unlike proteins you will want to start this around 3pm so everything is done at the same time for dinner.
Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….
- This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
- I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.
Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉
Whole Cabbage and Ham in Slow Cooker
If you wanted to make everything all at once you could add some leftover ham around it too. Since that is precooked and essentially you are just warming it up it will only need 3 hours as well so you’ll be good to go. Then just slice the head into 4-6 pieces and serve up the meat and BAM, your meal is served.
Now if you wanted it all mixed together I would dice and add ham next to your whole head. Then use the timing in our slow cooker cabbage recipe that is buttered and all the flavors will meld together. This go around I am going to explain the basics, you can take it from there.
I just used minced garlic, salt and pepper but you could definitely add what you wanted from there. Chicken broth is what I had on hand but vegetable broth would work great too. Water is effective but won’t add flavor to the dish. Decide for yourself.
What is a good seasoning for cooked cabbage?
Ok so like I said I am sure you have a few of your favorites that you add to vegetables in general. The first isn’t out of a bottle but a must for us, salted butter. That will add a lot of flavor and make it super tender. Beyond that salt and pepper are a given and I always add some sort of onion and/or garlic whether it be minced, powder or garlic salt.
Some swear by bacon grease drizzled on top Especially when chopped I will sprinkle on some Old Bay. That is right, this isn’t just for seafood, I use it for all the things, all the time. I will add some at the beginning but you will want more once you slice it because it won’t seep into the middle at all.
How Long to Cook a Whole Red Cabbage in Slow Cooker
You could follow the same instructions here for red or cooking a whole purple cabbage. You may want just a bit more time for this type since it is a bit more firm but that is subjective. That goes for both of these really. Some love it really soft where I like a little “bite” to it. SO timing will vary from 3-4 hours depending on your preference.
Ingredients
- Whole head of cabbage
- Chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, any other seasonings you like
- Garlic is a nice touch
No. Whether you cut into small chunks or cook it whole you only need a bit to help it steam. Too much will make the leaves soggy and soften too much. You will need some but I suggest you don’t submerge and the texture will not be pleasing.
Do not submerge it in water or broth, steam it instead. When it sits in liquid the leaves will soften quite a bit and in a very short amount of time it may get too soft and mushy.
Ok so let’s get to talking about how to cook cabbage and what I think works best. I always prefer low vs. high setting because foods just tenderize better that way.
How to Cook a Whole Head of Cabbage in Crockpot
- Cut the bottom of the cabbage head flat so it sits nicely on the bottom of the pot.
- Put into pot with your broth.
- Sprinkle garlic and seasonings on the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 -4 hours cook time (give or take depending on how tender you want it) or until you think it is the right texture to your liking.
- Remove and slice into wedges, small bits, or slices.
If you wanted a vegetarian meal and have more than one pot you should make our slow cooker rolls with this too. Cheap, simple, and always a favorite with everyone in our house.
If you wanted it to really fall apart and be really limp in the same time then yes you could cook on high for 3 hours instead. I don’t like it that texture but to each their own right? Now jump to recipe and see what you think! What is the perfect timing for your family? Have another favorite seasoning you love that we should try on our next go around? Let us know below!
Whole Head of Cabbage in Slow Cooker
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 whole cabbage
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 3/4 c chicken broth
Instructions
- Cut the bottom of the cabbage head flat so it sits nicely. Put into pot with broth. Sprinkle garlic and seasonings on the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 – 4 hours or until you think it is tender enough to your liking. (3 will be tender but still a bit firmer in the center, our preference)
- Remove and slice into wedges or cubed. Put a pat of butter and salt and pepper on to each serving and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
