Slow Cooker Red Cabbage. Introducing you to the best way to cook red cabbage. The cabbage braises slowly in the slow cooker giving it a wonderful flavour and making it the easiest ever slow cooker side dish.
If red cabbage is in season, I highly recommend you cook slow cooker red cabbage. Its one of those slow cooker recipes, that until you try it you don’t realise how often you are going to rinse and repeat the recipe.
Slow Cooker Cabbage
I absolutely love the way owning different kitchen gadgets has taught me to cook differently and appreciate the way they can work their magic.
I am not talking about how you can dump ingredients into a gadget and then come back when it beeps. Because even though that is amazing, it’s the way we have had the chance to try a lot of new things and avoid cooking methods that make our food taste bland.
The way you can cook instant pot green lentils or instant pot brown rice and the ratio and flavour is spot on. Most people wouldn’t even attempt these, if it wasn’t for the gadgets.
Or even better, the way you can cook vegetables without boiling them. Boiled vegetables are awful for removing the nutrients and for overcooking the food.
I always remember red cabbage (when it was boiled) would totally lose its flavour and turn to mush and it became that vegetable that you must eat.
Yet thanks to the magic of the slow cooker, you can make slow cooker red cabbage. It still has that wonderful red colour, its not bland, it is flavoursome, and you don’t have to stand over a stovetop.
Or best of all, you can keep your slow cooker red cabbage warm in the pot or even take the pot to the dinner table to save on washing up.
Can I Cook Red Cabbage In A Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can. Slow cooker red cabbage is amazing and in my opinion, the best way to cook red cabbage.
Everything is dumped into the slow cooker and you simply come back when the slow cooker cook time is over and give it a quick stir.
Can You Overcook Vegetables In A Slow Cooker?
Not really! When you leave vegetables in a slow cooker for too long, they just go a bit mushy, but they don’t burn.
Sometimes you can use this method on purpose. For example if you are making slow cooker leek and potato soup, when you want the leeks ultra soft and the potatoes easy enough to blend.
Red Cabbage & Apple Cider Vinegar
The best way to cook red cabbage is with red wine vinegar. This will then create an amazing, braised cabbage taste and texture.
You may wonder why not red cabbage and apple cider vinegar? And that is because it is easier to achieve better with red wine vinegar instead. Its not as overpowering and it wont matter if you accidentally add too much.
For example, if you add too much apple cider vinegar instead, your braised red cabbage will only fit for the bin as it can be very overpowering.
Easy Red Cabbage Ingredients
Cabbage – To start this recipe for braised red cabbage in a slow cooker, you guessed it, it starts with the red cabbage. Any will do and if you plan on serving it at Christmas go with a large one so that it will feed everyone.
Vinegar – Next on the important ingredients list is the red wine vinegar. I am not particular with this ingredient, just a good one that you have in your pantry.
Onion – It adds a wonderful flavour to your red cabbage if you mix it up with some red onion. You only need a small to medium one and it makes such a difference.
Honey – For the sweet flavour of your red cabbage I recommend that you add some honey. It keeps your red cabbage healthy, but still bringing the hint of sweetness.
Seasoning – I love my braised red cabbage with some nutmeg and cinnamon. It is also the best way to cook red cabbage if its Christmas time and you want a festive flavour.
Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this slow cooker cabbage dish, it has just been our Crockpot. We have this one and it does an amazing job and is also ideal for sauteing too.
How Do You Cook Cabbage In A Slow Cooker?
- Prep. The first step is to peel and dice your onion and shred your red cabbage.
- Mix. Add all the ingredients into the slow cooker and mix well.
- Cook. Next slow cook until you have tender braised red cabbage. You can then add butter if you wish, or eat as it is.
How Do I Cook Red Cabbage For Christmas?
If you are cooking the red cabbage for Christmas, then you can follow the exact same method above.
But you can make it ahead and then reheat it in the slow cooker. Or you can just prep the ingredients the day before and then slow cook as your turkey is roasting in the oven.
More Recipes Using The Slow Cooker:
- Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
- Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Carrots
- Slow Cooker Leek & Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese
- Slow Cooker Rice Pudding
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage
Ingredients
Kitchen Gadgets:
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage Ingredients:
- 1 Medium Red Cabbage
- 1 Medium Red Onion
- 2 Tsp Red Wine Vinegar
- 4 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- ½ Tsp Nutmeg
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- On a clean chopping board shred your red cabbage with a vegetable knife and peel and slice your red onion.
- Load everything into the slow cooker including the nutmeg, honey, and cinnamon.
- Mix and then cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6.5 hours.
- Plate up into a side dish, or you can keep warm in the slow cooker for up to 3 hours and then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Can’t make it now? Then pin it for later!
What’s your favourite to pair this with as a meal?
Hi Beth,
We find it goes well with a roast chicken, we have covered this been cooked in an air fryer on RecipeThis, just search for roast chicken and we have many different recipes you could follow 🙂