Tender green cabbage is slow cooked with smoky bacon, onion, garlic, broth, and a tangy-sweet seasoning blend until rich, buttery, and deeply flavorful. This easy slow cooker cabbage recipe makes a cozy side dish for family dinners, holiday meals, or low-carb comfort food nights.
Ingredients
1 medium green cabbage about 1-1.2 kg, chopped into large pieces
200 g bacon cut into small strips
1 medium onion thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup / 240 ml chicken broth
2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard optional
1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
½ teaspoon salt adjust based on bacon saltiness
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until lightly crisp.
Transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving a little bacon fat in the pan.
Add the sliced onion to the same skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Add the chopped cabbage to the slow cooker.
Top the cabbage with the cooked bacon, onions, and garlic.
Pour in the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar.
Add the Dijon mustard, brown sugar or honey, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
Toss gently to combine the cabbage with the seasoning and liquid.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
Stir once or twice during cooking, if possible, to help the cabbage cook evenly.
Stir in the butter just before serving.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Notes
For the best texture, keep the cabbage pieces large so they become tender without turning mushy during slow cooking.