2-Quart Slow Cooker Cabbage Recipe

This easy slow cooker cabbage is made in a 2-quart slow cooker, so you don’t need a full-size Crockpot to make a simple batch of tender, buttery cabbage. A small head of green cabbage cooks down with onion, garlic, chicken broth, butter, and black pepper for an easy vegetable side dish that’s just the right size for one or two people.

I especially like this recipe when I’m making ham, or cornbread and don’t want several days’ worth of leftover cabbage. The slow cooker does most of the work, and you can cook the cabbage until it’s as tender as you like it.

Try adding fried ham steak and a side of homemade cornbread to make this a meal.

Find more slow cooker tips and hacks.

Recipe Highlights

• Made for a 2-quart slow cooker: No need to scale down a recipe written for a 6-quart Crockpot.
• Small batch: A practical amount for one or two people.
• Simple ingredients: Cabbage, onion, butter, garlic, broth, and basic seasonings. Choose your texture: Check it early for firmer cabbage or cook longer if you prefer very tender cabbage.
• Easy side dish: Especially good with ham, pork, sausage, potatoes, or cornbread.

Ingredients Notes

• Green cabbage: Best choice for this recipe. Choose a compact small head that will fit your 2-quart cooker after chopping. A small head of green cabbage weighing about 1½ to 2 pounds should loosely fill a 2-quart slow cooker once chopped.
• Chicken broth: Gives the cabbage more flavor than water alone. Lower-sodium broth lets you control the salt.
• Butter: Adds richness. Bacon grease can replace part of the butter for a more old-fashioned flavor.
• Garlic: Garlic paste is convenient, but minced fresh garlic or garlic powder also works.
• Onion: Yellow or white onion both work.

Don’t want to use the slow cooker? Cabbage can also be sautéed in a covered skillet or dutch oven with butter and onion until tender. For this recipe, though, the slow cooker gives the cabbage time to absorb the buttery broth and seasonings.

Dish Duty: Light Cleanup — One cutting board, knife, measuring cup, and the slow cooker insert.

Cooking Instructions

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

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

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

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

Step Four: Top with the chopped onions.

Step Five: Add the water and chicken broth, then cover and cook on high for about 2-3 hours, depending on how tender you want it. Check after about an hour for the desired tenderness.

Storing leftovers

Refrigerate cooked cabbage in a covered container for 1-2 days and reheat individual portions in the microwave or gently in a skillet.

About Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing the cabbage, honestly, I have not frozen this recipe because it is such a small batch that I typically finish it off fairly quickly. I’d recommend refrigerating the leftovers rather than freezing them unless necessary.

How Long Does Cabbage Take in a 2-Quart Slow Cooker?

HIGH: approximately 2–3 hours
LOW: approximately 3–4 hours

Slow cookers vary, and cabbage texture is a matter of preference. Check it toward the early end of the cooking range. I prefer mine tender but not mushy.

🍽️ 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 baby carrots, red potatoes, or sweet potatoes and some crusty bread for a tasty dinner with tons of flavor.