Hearty, comforting, and perfect for the slow cooker ❤️
Here’s a classic cabbage stew that’s filling, budget-friendly, and gets better the longer it cooks.
Slow Cooker Cabbage Stew
Servings: 6–8
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 6–8 hours
Ingredients
- 1 small head cabbage, chopped
- 1 lb smoked sausage, kielbasa, or ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3–4 potatoes, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional but traditional)
- 4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: ½ tsp thyme or caraway seeds
Instructions
- Layer ingredients
Place cabbage, onion, carrots, potatoes, garlic, and meat into the slow cooker. - Season & add liquid
Add diced tomatoes (if using), broth, paprika, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf. - Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until vegetables are tender and flavors are blended. - Taste & serve
Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning and serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- Polish-style: Use kielbasa and add caraway seeds.
- Hungarian-style: Add extra paprika and a splash of vinegar at the end.
- Vegetarian: Skip meat and use vegetable broth; add white beans for protein.
- Thicker stew: Mash a few potatoes in the pot before serving.
Serving Ideas
- Crusty bread or rye bread
- Sour cream on top
- A sprinkle of fresh parsley
If you want, I can also give you a tomato-free version, a keto/low-carb cabbage stew, or a stuffed-cabbage-style slow cooker stew 🥬🍲
