Slow Cooker Red Cabbage

Name: Slow Cooker Red Cabbage
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 250 min
Ingredients: 1 medium head purple cabbage (cored and thinly sliced (about 2 ½ lbs)); 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 6 slices bacon (chopped); 2 cups sweet onion (thinly sliced); 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (divided); ½ teaspoon fennel seeds; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon allspice; 2 cups apple cider; 1 Tablespoon packed light brown sugar; 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 3 bay leaves

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This Slow Cooker Red Cabbage is perfectly tender and full of fall-inspired flavors, making it a great addition to holiday meals or everyday family dinners! Tender purple cabbage, sweet onion, savory bacon, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices cook slowly in apple cider for a warm and comforting side dish the whole family will love.

A plate of slow cooker cabbage served up on the table with more in the slow cooker.

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Your home will be filled with the inviting aroma of autumn when you make this slow cooker red cabbage recipe! The combination of apple cider, fresh thyme, fennel seeds, cinnamon, and allspice is sure to give you all the warm and cozy fall feels.

Plus, I’ve also included bacon in this crock pot cabbage to take it to the next level, like I did in my Crock Pot Brussels Sprouts. The bacon truly is a game-changer, adding a salty and smoky flavor to the dish.

The best part is that you can prep this slow cooker red cabbage in just 10 minutes and let the crock pot do the rest! For more ways to cook veggies in a crock pot, check out these Crock Pot Mushrooms, Crock Pot Corn on the Cob, and Crock Pot Collard Greens next.

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Ingredients
Variations
How to Make Red Cabbage in the Slow Cooker
Serving Suggestions
Expert Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Cabbage Recipes
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage

Ingredients

Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make this red cabbage slow cooker recipe.

Purple Cabbage: Has a mildly sweet, earthy flavor and vibrant color. You’ll need one medium head for this cabbage in crock pot recipe.
Oil: I used vegetable oil to cook the cabbage, but you can use another type of oil like canola, avocado, or refined coconut oil.
Herbs & Seasonings: A combination of fennel seeds, cinnamon, allspice, fresh thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper add flavor and aroma to the dish.
Bacon: Adds a savory, salty, and smoky flavor to this cabbage in slow cooker recipe.
Onion: Adds depth of flavor to the dish. I used sweet onion, but you can use yellow or white onion if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
Apple Cider: This is the liquid used for slow cooking everything, adding a naturally sweet flavor. Be sure to use apple cider and not apple juice.
Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness to balance the savory flavors in the bacon and spices.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds acidity, which brightens up the dish and balances the sweetness of the apple cider and brown sugar.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

Cabbage With Sausage: For a heartier dish, swap the bacon for sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa.
Add Fruit: Throw in some sliced apples or pears to add even more sweet flavor.
Vegetarian: Omit the bacon and add some smoked paprika or liquid smoke to recreate the smoky flavor.

How to Make Red Cabbage in the Slow Cooker

To make this cabbage with bacon, you’ll want to start by coring and slicing your head of cabbage.

Red cabbage in a glass bowl surrounded by bowls of other ingredients.

Step 1: Microwave the cabbage. Add the cabbage, oil, salt and pepper to a bowl and microwave for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. When the cabbage is tender, drain the liquid and add the cabbage to your slow cooker.

Bacon and onions cooked in a white skillet on the table.

Step 2: Saute. Cook the bacon in a 12-inch skillet for 5 minutes. Then, add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 more minutes. Add thyme, fennel seeds, cinnamon, and allspice and cook for another minute.

Ingredients added to the slow cooker to make cooked cabbage.

Step 3: Add to the slow cooker. Add the apple cider to the hot skillet to deglaze the pan. Pour the mixture over the cabbage in the slow cooker. Then, add the remaining apple cider, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and bay leaves.

Red cabbage in the slow cooker after cooking.

Step 4: Cook. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set to low or high depending on your preference.

Red cabbage on a white plate in front of a Crock Pot on the table.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this tasty cabbage with a show-stopping main course for your holiday table like this Pork Wellington, Beef Wellington, or Cranberry Orange Pork Tenderloin.
Make it for an easy dinner with this Air Fryer Salmon and Red Skin Potato Salad.
Take it to a fall-themed potluck along with some Apple Cider Doughnuts.

Expert Tips

Soften the cabbage: Microwaving the cabbage before slow cooking helps soften it and releases excess moisture. This ensures that the cabbage doesn’t become too mushy in the slow cooker.
Don’t skip the vinegar: The apple cider vinegar helps balance the other flavors in the dish, so be sure not to omit it.
Store leftovers in the fridge: Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use green cabbage instead of purple?

If you’re not a fan of purple cabbage, you can use green cabbage, but note that it will have a softer texture and a more mild flavor.

How long does it take to cook cabbage in the crock pot?

The cabbage takes 3-4 hours to cook on the high setting or 5-6 hours on the low setting.

A spoonful of cooked red cabbage held up over a slow cooker of more.

More Cabbage Recipes

Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!