Slow Cooker Buttery Cabbage and Bacon Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a deeper flavor profile, consider using thick-cut, naturally smoked bacon. The quality of the bacon significantly impacts the final taste of the dish, as the rendered fat serves as the primary seasoning agent. If you prefer a hint of sweetness, you can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or a touch of brown sugar to the broth mixture before pouring it over the cabbage.

If you are serving this for a special occasion and want a more polished presentation, carefully transfer the cabbage wedges to a serving platter using a wide slotted spatula to keep them intact. Drizzle a small amount of the remaining buttery broth from the slow cooker over the top of the wedges just before bringing them to the table. This adds a beautiful sheen and ensures the dish remains moist while being served.

Variations

• Spiced Cabbage: Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the broth mixture for a gentle, warming heat that contrasts nicely with the richness of the butter and bacon.
• Herb-Infused Cabbage: Toss in a few sprigs of fresh thyme or a teaspoon of dried caraway seeds when adding the seasonings to provide an earthy, aromatic depth to the finished dish.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the cabbage will become mushy upon thawing.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Allow any leftover cabbage and bacon to cool to room temperature for no more than two hours before transferring it to an airtight container. Properly sealed, the dish will maintain its flavor and texture for up to three days in the refrigerator.

Avoid storing the dish in the slow cooker insert, as this can affect the quality of the ceramic and does not provide an airtight seal, which is necessary to keep the cabbage fresh.

This dish is an excellent candidate for making ahead, as the flavors often deepen and improve after sitting in the refrigerator for a day. You can assemble the raw ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator overnight.

Simply place the insert into the slow cooker base and start the cooking process directly from the fridge, adding an extra 30 minutes to the cook time to account for the cold ingredients.

Serving ideas

This buttery cabbage and bacon dish serves as a wonderful, rustic side that pairs beautifully with roasted meats, such as pork chops or roast chicken.

The savory, slightly salty profile of the cabbage complements the richness of the meat, while the soft texture provides a pleasant contrast to firmer proteins. Consider serving it alongside crusty bread or mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful, buttery broth left in the bowl.

For a lighter meal, serve the cabbage in shallow bowls as a warm vegetable course, perhaps topped with a few toasted breadcrumbs for added texture. The simplicity of the dish allows it to fit into many different menus, from casual family dinners to more structured holiday meals.

Its neutral, savory base makes it a crowd-pleasing option that accommodates various main course styles while providing a substantial and comforting vegetable element.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Buttery Cabbage and Bacon

Prep 10 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 10 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 1 head green cabbage, cut into thick wedges
• 8 oz bacon, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

1. Place the thick wedges of raw green cabbage into the slow cooker insert, packing them tightly so they fill the space evenly. Scatter the chopped raw bacon pieces thoroughly between and over the cabbage wedges to ensure even flavor distribution throughout the dish.
2. Evenly sprinkle the garlic powder and black pepper over the cabbage and bacon. Combine the melted butter with the chicken broth and pour the mixture slowly over the contents of the slow cooker, ensuring everything is lightly coated.
3. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low setting for approximately 4 hours, or until the cabbage is soft and tender and the bacon is fully cooked through. Serve warm directly from the slow cooker.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

180

Protein

6 g

Carbohydrates

10 g

Fat

14 g

Fiber

3 g

Sugar

5 g

Sodium

450 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.