slow cooker cabbage, sausage, and potatoes.

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This Slow Cooker Cabbage, Sausage, and Potatoes recipe is the ultimate hands-off, cozy comfort meal. Everything cooks together until the potatoes are tender, the cabbage is melt-in-your-mouth soft, and the savory juices from the sausage infuse the entire dish.

Ingredients

  • The Sausage: 1 to 1.5 lbs smoked sausage or kielbasa (sliced into coin rounds or half-moons)
  • The Potatoes: 1.5 to 2 lbs small red potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes (washed and quartered—no need to peel if you use thin-skinned varieties)
  • The Cabbage: 1 medium head of green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped into large chunks or wedges
  • The Aromatics: 1 medium yellow onion, sliced or diced, and 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • The Liquid: 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
  • The Seasonings:
    • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste, as sausage is already salty)
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or red pepper flakes for a little kick
  • The Finish: 2 tablespoons butter (cut into small pats to place on top) and a splash of apple cider vinegar (optional, to brighten the flavors at the end).

Instructions

1. Layer the Slow Cooker

  1. Lightly grease your slow cooker with non-stick spray or a liner for easy cleanup.
  2. Place the quartered potatoes, sliced onions, and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Layer the chopped cabbage chunks directly over the potatoes and onions.
  4. Arrange the sliced smoked sausage evenly across the top of the cabbage.

2. Season and Add Broth

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika (if using). Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the top.
  2. Pour the chicken broth around the edges of the slow cooker.
  3. Dot the top with the small pats of butter.

3. Cook

  1. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the cabbage is completely soft.

4. Serve

  1. Gently toss everything together right in the slow cooker to combine the buttery juices, sausage, and veggies.
  2. Optional: Drizzle a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar over the top and gently mix—the subtle acidity cuts through the richness of the sausage and butter.
  3. Serve hot in bowls, perhaps with a side of crusty warm bread to soak up the delicious broth!

Pro-Tips

  • Sausage Options: Smoked pork kielbasa is traditional, but you can easily use turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or even a spicy cajun andouille if you prefer more heat.
  • Keep Cabbage Intact: If you prefer your cabbage to hold its shape better rather than breaking down into a stew-like consistency, you can cut the head into thick wedges and lay them flat across the top instead of chopping them up.

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