Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage
This cabbage stew crockpot recipe is a thick, hearty pot of tender cabbage, potatoes, and smoked sausage in a tomato broth. It is cheap, filling, and nearly effortless, since the slow cooker softens the cabbage and mellows its flavor.
8
servings20
minutes7
hoursGreen cabbage, potatoes, and smoked sausage simmer in a seasoned tomato broth. It cooks all day and ends up thick, sweet, and full of flavor.
Ingredients
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1 medium head green cabbage (about 2 lb), cored and chopped
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, sliced
1 lb baby gold potatoes, quartered
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions
- Add the sliced sausage, onion, carrots, and potatoes to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Pile the chopped cabbage on top. It will fill the pot, but it shrinks a lot as it cooks.
- Whisk the tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, vinegar, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Pour the liquid over the cabbage and tuck in the garlic and bay leaves.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
- At the halfway point, stir once to move the cabbage on top into the broth.
- The stew is done when the potatoes are fork-tender and the cabbage is soft and silky.
- Remove the bay leaves and taste. Add salt or a splash more vinegar if it needs brightness.
- For a thicker stew, mash a few potatoes against the side of the pot with a spoon.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread.
Notes
- Use kielbasa or andouille, depending on how much heat you want. For a vegetarian stew, leave out the sausage and use vegetable broth with an extra teaspoon of smoked paprika. Stir in a spoonful of sour cream at the table if you like. The stew tastes better the next day. It keeps 5 days in the fridge and freezes well for 3 months.
Why cabbage belongs in the slow cooker
Cabbage cooked fast can smell sharp and turn watery. Over several hours on low heat, it turns sweet, soft, and mild, and it gives up its own juices to the broth. That is what makes this stew taste far richer than the short ingredient list suggests.
The smoked sausage seasons the whole pot as it cooks. Its fat and smoke leach into the tomato broth, so you do not need to brown anything or build a flavor base on the stove first.
It is also an honest budget meal. A head of cabbage, a pound of sausage, and a few potatoes feed eight people, and nothing in the pot needs special shopping.
Ingredient notes for a thick cabbage stew
Green cabbage: A firm, heavy head is best. Savoy is more tender but can fall apart, and red cabbage turns the stew a muddy purple.
Smoked sausage: Kielbasa gives a mild garlic smoke. Look for a fully cooked sausage with a firm casing that holds its shape through hours of heat.
Potatoes: Baby gold or red potatoes stay intact. Russets break down and turn the stew gluey.
Tomatoes: The mix of diced tomatoes and sauce gives body without extra thickener.
Vinegar: A spoonful of cider vinegar lifts the sweet cabbage and keeps the stew from tasting flat.
Carrots: Thick slices keep a little bite. They also add a gentle sweetness that works against the tang of the tomatoes and vinegar.
Cabbage stew tips that make a difference
Chop it big: Pieces about an inch wide hold their texture. Fine shreds disappear into mush.
Do not add water: The most common mistake is drowning the pot. Cabbage releases a lot of liquid, so the broth in the recipe is enough. Extra water gives you thin soup.
Season at the end: Smoked sausage is salty and the liquid reduces slightly, so taste before you add more salt.
Layer with care: Put the firm vegetables, sausage, and potatoes on the bottom, where the heat is strongest, and the cabbage on top. The cabbage steams and wilts into the liquid as the pot warms up.
Swaps and variations
Use chicken sausage for a lighter stew, or add a can of drained white beans in the last hour for more protein. Smoked turkey wings or a ham hock can replace the sausage for a deeper smoke. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds heat.
Skip adding dairy such as milk or cream during the long cook. It will split in the acidic tomato broth.
What to serve with cabbage stew
Crusty bread or cornbread is the classic partner for this stew. Add a spoonful of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh dill, and a side of pickles for a Eastern European style table. Mustard on the side is good with the sausage. A simple green salad with vinegar dressing keeps the meal balanced.
Leftover stew can also be spooned over rice or baked potatoes the next day for a quick second dinner with almost no extra work.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Cool the stew and refrigerate in sealed containers for up to 5 days. The flavor deepens overnight, so leftovers often taste better than the first bowl.
Freeze portions for up to 3 months. The potatoes soften slightly after freezing, but the taste holds. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if the stew has thickened too much.
Always cool the pot before storing, since a deep, hot stew cools slowly in the middle and should be divided into shallow containers.
Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage at a glance
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 7 hours
- Servings: 8 servings
- Ingredients: 15, led by smoked sausage, head green cabbage (about 2 lb), yellow onion, carrots
Tips for Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage
Use kielbasa or andouille, depending on how much heat you want. For a vegetarian stew, leave out the sausage and use vegetable broth with an extra teaspoon of smoked paprika. Stir in a spoonful of sour cream at the table if you like. The stew tastes better the next day. It keeps 5 days in the fridge and freezes well for 3 months.
Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage FAQ
How long does Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage take?
Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage takes 7 hours of cooking after 20 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage serve?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Cabbage Stew with Smoked Sausage?
15 ingredients, led by smoked sausage, head green cabbage (about 2 lb), yellow onion, carrots. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
