Here is my favorite classic old-fashioned 2-quart slow cooker cabbage recipe that will make you think you are at Grandma’s house! The smaller 2-quart crockpot or slow cooker is perfect for two people or one person who loves leftovers. Transform a humble head of cabbage into a delicious and comforting dish with this easy 2-quart slow cooker cabbage recipe. Slice the cabbage, toss it with some aromatic spices, and cook slowly until it’s tender and infused with flavor. Perfect as a side dish or served over rice, this comforting cabbage dish will surely become a new family favorite.

Try adding some slow cooker collard greens, A fried ham steak dinner for one and. side of homemade cornbread compliments this cabbage dish.

Cooked cabbage on plate,
old fashioned slow cooker cabbage

❤️What to Love About This Recipe

  • This basic southern crockpot cabbage recipe is cooked in a 2-quart slow cooker.
  • There is so much to love about this one-pot meal; it’s simple, quick, low-calorie, inexpensive, and versatile.
  • Try combining green and red head cabbage for a flavor depth.
  • Cooked cabbage is an easy recipe that you will make again and again!

✔ Ingredients Notes

  • green cabbage: a small head of cabbage cut, and cored, and the tough leaves removed will perfectly fill up the 2-quart slow cooker. Red cabbage can also be used. You can also cook cabbage wedges.
  • butter: For extra oomph, stir in a tablespoon of garlic paste to the softened butter. You can also add a little garlic powder or fresh garlic cloves.
  • garlic paste: I always have one or two tubes of Gourmet Garden Chunky Garlic paste in the fridge.
  • onion: white or yellow onions are standard in this recipe.
  • seasoning: kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper is perfect for adding just a hint of heat to the cabbage. A touch of apple cider vinegar is also a good addition to the seasoning.
  • chicken broth: To reduce sodium from canned chicken broth, replace 2 cups chicken broth with 2 cups water. Vegetable broth can be substituted.

📖 Cooking Instructions

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

Learn how easy it is to cook slow cooker or crockpot cabbage.

sliced cabbage.

Step One: Cut the cabbage lengthwise in half. Remove the inner core and outer tough leaves. Rinse.

sliced cabbage in crockpot.

Step Two: Place the cabbage into a 2-quart slow cooker. The cabbage will fill the slow cooker but cooks down.

Cabbage sprinkled with pepper.

Step Three: Dollop the butter, garlic paste, and sprinkle the black pepper and salt over the cabbage. Add more pepper if you want a spicier cabbage.

Cabbage and onion in crockpot.

Step Four: Top with the chopped onions.

Step Five: Add the water and chicken broth, then cover and cook on high for about 1 -2 hours, depending on how tender. Check after about 45 minutes to an hour and check for the desired tenderness.

Tips
  • The cabbage cooks down so don’t be fooled by what seems like a lot of cabbage.
  • Choose heads of cabbage that are compact and firm. They should have fresh, crispy leaves without any browning.
  • Feel free to change the seasoning to what you have or prefer. Use Italian Seasoning or fresh herbs like thyme or dill for amazing flavor.
  • You can also use the low setting and cook for about 3-4 hours.

🥘 Cooking Cabbage on the Stovetop

For a meal with less cook time, you can cook cabbage on the stovetop, but the flavor will be more delicate. Slow cooking helps the butter and pepper to meld with the cabbage. Also, adding a little bacon grease to the green cabbage really adds some nostalgic flavor.

🍽️ What to serve with cabbage?

  • I love a big bowl of cabbage and potatoes with homemade cornbread.
  • For a simple cabbage recipe, serve with just butter and red pepper flakes or add some Italian sausage or sliced Kielbasa for something hearty.
  • Add in some baby carrots, red potatoes or sweet potatoes, and some crusty bread for a tasty dinner with tons of flavor.
How to cook cabbage on stovetop?

Yes! Slice the cabbage into thin strips or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil or butter and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan.
Add diced onion or garlic to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the cabbage to the pan and stir to coat it with the oil or butter.
Season the cabbage with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pan and let the cabbage cook for about 15 minutes, occasionally stirring, until it is tender but still has some texture.

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bowl of cooked cabbage

Slow Cooker Cabbage

Elevate the taste of a simple cabbage with this effortless slow cooker recipe, resulting in a scrumptious and comforting dish. Just slice the cabbage, add some fragrant spices, and allow it to cook on low heat until it becomes soft and rich in flavor. This versatile dish can be served as a side or add potatoes and kielbasa for a complete meal.
4.37 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 2 cups cooked cabbage
Calories: 62kcal
Author:Sydney Dawes

Ingredients

  • 1 small head green cabbage
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Cut the cabbage lengthwise in half. Remove the inner core and outer tough leaves and rinse.
  • Place the cabbage into a 2 quart slow cooker. The cabbage will fill the slow cooker but cooks down.
  • Dollop the butter, garlic paste, and sprinkle the black pepper and salt over the cabbage. Add more pepper if you want a spicier cabbage. and top with the chopped onions.
  • Add the water and chicken broth then cover and cook on high for about 1 -2 hours. Check after about 45 minutes to an hour and check for the desired tenderness. Don't overcook.

Notes

Add red pepper flakes for a spicier cabbage or for hearty meal asked Kielbsa and potatoes.
Green cabbage is a great choice for slow cooking because of its hearty texture. Red cabbage can also be used and will provide a slightly different flavor.
Cut the cabbage into quarters or eighths, depending on the size of the cabbage and your slow cooker. Make sure to remove the hard stem in the middle of each piece.
If you’re cooking the cabbage with other ingredients, layer them correctly. Hardy ingredients that take longer to cook, like potatoes or carrots, should be placed at the bottom, while the cabbage can be placed on top.
Slow cookers require liquid to function properly. This could be as simple as water, but for more flavor, consider using chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.
Don’t forget to season your cabbage.
Even in a slow cooker, it’s possible to overcook cabbage. Cook it until it’s tender, but not mushy. On low, this will typically take around 1 1/2- hours in a small slow cooker, but times may vary depending on your slow cooker.
If possible, give the cabbage a stir every hour or so to ensure even cooking.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cup | Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 451mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
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3 Comments

    1. The garlic paste goes in at the same time as the butter. I’ve been going through my recipes and just updated this one with the added information. Thanks!