Tillie Doyle
Cooking creamed cabbage in a crock pot is a simple and delicious way to prepare this vegetable. It's a hands-off cooking method that infuses the cabbage with flavour and creates a tender, buttery side dish. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can create a savoury and sweet dish that goes well with a variety of main courses. The crock pot is also a convenient way to cook cabbage, allowing you to prepare other dishes simultaneously. This method is perfect for a hearty family dinner or a holiday feast, and it pairs well with meats like corned beef or ham.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cabbage, butter, garlic, chicken broth or water, salt, black pepper, bacon, apple cider vinegar, bouillon, ham or smoked meat (kielbasa sausage, smoked turkey), red pepper flakes, brown sugar |
| Preparation | Cut and core the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, add butter, garlic, and bouillon, mix with water, add to the crockpot, cook bacon and onions in a skillet, add to the crockpot, cook on high for 3-4 hours, stir halfway through |
| Variations | Vegetarian option: omit bacon and grease, add vegetarian bouillon cubes and vegan butter; use red cabbage instead of green; add vegetables like onions, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers |
| Serving suggestions | Crockpot cabbage can be served as a side dish with corned beef, mashed potatoes, seasoned rice, or cornbread; it also goes well with main dishes like pork chops, meatloaf, chicken thighs, or ribs |
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What You'll Learn
Prep the cabbage
To prep the cabbage, start by trimming and washing the whole cabbage. Cut it in half, then cut out the thick stem on each side and discard. You can cut out the stem by cutting a triangle shape on both sides. Next, tear the remaining cabbage leaves into 1-2 inch pieces using your hands or a knife. As you cut, remove and discard any thick veins. The veins will be thicker the closer the leaves are to the inner core. Wash the cabbage leaves using cool water.
Now, you can add the cabbage to your crockpot. If you are adding meat such as bacon or ham to your creamed cabbage, you will need to cook it before adding the cabbage. Chop the bacon and cook it in a skillet until browned, then add the bacon and bacon grease to the crockpot. If you are adding ham, cook and cube it before adding it to the crockpot.
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Cook the meat
To cook the meat, you have a few options. You can use bacon, ham, or smoked sausage such as kielbasa. For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add in some butter for flavour.
If you're using bacon, cut it into 0.5-inch pieces and cook until browned in a skillet on the stove top. You can then add the bacon grease to the crockpot, or use butter if you prefer. If you're using ham, cook and cube it beforehand, or use smoked turkey for a healthier option. For a vegetarian option, simply add in some butter for flavour.
If you want to use sausage, kielbasa is a great option to add some smokiness to your dish. You can also use smoked turkey sausage, or a vegetarian sausage option if you prefer.
For the bacon and sausage options, you'll want to cook them in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot. Cook the bacon until it's crispy, then add the sausage to the skillet and cook until browned. You can then add the meat to the crockpot with the rest of your ingredients.
If you're using ham or turkey, you can simply cube it and add it directly to the crockpot with the cabbage and other ingredients.
For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat and add in some butter for flavour. You can also add in some extra vegetables, such as onions, carrots, or potatoes.
Keep in mind that the cooking time for the meat will vary depending on the type of meat you use and the size of your crockpot. The recipes suggest cooking on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-6 hours, but you may need to adjust this depending on your specific setup.
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Saute the onions
To sauté the onions, start by thinly slicing them. You can also use baby pearl onions, which will add a unique flavour to the dish. If you want to use regular onions, chop them up and cook them in the bacon grease before adding them to the cabbage.
Heat a large skillet and add the chopped bacon. Cook until it starts to crisp, and then add the onions to the skillet. Cook them in the bacon grease until they become translucent and slightly caramelized. This will add a great depth of flavour to the dish.
You can also add other vegetables such as carrots or potatoes to the mix. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and cook them along with the onions and bacon. This will create a heartier dish with more texture and flavour.
Once the onions are caramelized, you can add the garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic until it becomes aromatic, infusing even more flavour into the dish.
After sautéing the onions, garlic, and any other vegetables, it's time to transfer them to the slow cooker. Spread the mixture evenly over the cabbage, and then proceed to the next step of adding the liquid and butter.
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Add the garlic
Now it's time to add the garlic. If you're using fresh garlic, mince it or crush it into cloves. You can also use garlic powder, which will dissolve nicely into the dish. If you want to add a little extra, try adding some garlic salt or garlic pepper.
The garlic will infuse the dish with a strong, savoury flavour. It's an essential ingredient in this recipe, adding depth and warmth to the creaminess of the cabbage. You can adjust the amount of garlic to your taste, but it's best to start with a small amount and add more as you go.
If you're using whole garlic cloves, you can leave them to cook with the cabbage and remove them before serving. Alternatively, you can crush or mince the cloves and add them directly to the crock pot. This will give a stronger garlic flavour to the dish.
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Combine ingredients in the crock pot
To combine the ingredients in the crock pot, start by trimming and washing the whole cabbage. Cut it in half and then cut out the thick stem/core on each side and discard. Tear the remaining cabbage leaves into 1-2 inch pieces using your hands or cut them with a knife. As you cut, remove and discard any thick veins. Wash the cabbage leaves using cool water.
Next, put the torn cabbage leaves into the crock pot. Cut the butter into pieces and place them on top of the cabbage. You can also add whole garlic cloves. If you are adding meat, cook the bacon, ham, or sausage separately and then add it to the crock pot. Spread the meat evenly over the cabbage. You can also add onions, carrots, or potatoes. Saute the onions in bacon grease and cook until they are translucent and slightly caramelized. Add the garlic and saute until it is aromatic.
Now, add the liquid to the crock pot. Mix chicken or vegetable broth with water and pour it into the crock pot. You can also add apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Dot the top of the cabbage with small pieces of salted or unsalted butter. Cover the crock pot with a lid and cook.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on how tender you like your cabbage. For a crisp texture, cook for 2.5 hours on high. For a more tender texture, cook for 3-4 hours on high.
You will need a head of cabbage, butter, garlic cloves, chicken broth or water, salt, and pepper. You can also add bacon, ham, or smoked sausage for extra flavor.
Start by cutting the cabbage in half and removing the thick stem. Then, cut the cabbage into 1-inch square pieces or tear it into bite-sized pieces with your hands.
Creamed cabbage is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses, including crockpot pork chops, barbecue cheddar meatloaf, country-style ribs, and air fryer tilapia.
