Slow Cooker Cabbage and Smoked Sausage!!!

There’s something deeply satisfying about a one-pot meal that fills your home with the savory scent of smoked sausage and sweet, tender cabbage—especially when it requires almost zero effort from you.

Enter Slow Cooker Cabbage and Smoked Sausage—a humble, hearty dish with roots in Southern kitchens, Eastern European stews, and frugal farmhouse cooking. Yet it tastes anything but simple. The cabbage melts into silky layers, the sausage infuses every bite with rich, smoky depth, and a splash of apple cider vinegar or mustard adds just the right tang to cut through the richness.

Best of all? You chop, dump, and walk away. Come back 6 hours later to a steaming, soul-warming supper that’s gluten-free, budget-friendly, and packed with flavor—no stirring, no stress, just real food that feels like a hug from the inside out.

Why This Dish Belongs in Your Rotation

    • 🥬 Only 7 core ingredients (most already in your pantry!)
    • ⏳ Set it and forget it—perfect for busy days or “I can’t even” nights

  • 💸 Incredibly affordable—feeds a family for under $10
  • 🌿 Naturally low-carb and gluten-free (if using GF sausage)
  • 🥄 Tastes even better the next day—flavors deepen beautifully

If you love meals that are rustic yet refined, simple yet deeply satisfying—this is your new cold-weather (or anytime!) staple.

Ingredients You’ll Need

(Serves 6 generously)

  • 1½ lbs smoked sausage (like kielbasa, andouille, or smoked turkey sausage), sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 1 large head green cabbage (about 2–2.5 lbs), cored and chopped into 1–2 inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices) or 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or Dijon mustard (brightens the whole dish!)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or caraway seeds (optional but lovely)
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tbsp brown sugar or 1 apple, thinly sliced (for subtle sweetness to balance the smoke)

💡 Smart Swaps & Tips:

  • Vegetarian? Use smoked paprika + liquid smoke with plant-based sausage or chickpeas.
  • Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Don’t skip the acid: Vinegar or mustard cuts richness and lifts flavors—trust us!