Crockpot Sausage and Cabbage, with smoky sausage and tender cabbage, is a hearty comfort food dinner that is both healthy and super easy to make. With only 6 simple ingredients, and the crockpot doing most of the work, this is sure to be a new family favorite!
Table of Contents
- Easy Crockpot Cabbage and Sausage Recipe
- Why We Love Kielbasa and Cabbage So Much
- What You’ll Need
- How to Make Crockpot Cabbage and Sausage
- Tips for Success
- What Goes With Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage?
- How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Can I Freeze This Smoked Sausage?
- More Easy Sausage Dinner Recipes
- Get the Recipe
Easy Crockpot Cabbage and Sausage Recipe
Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage is an easy, filling, healthy and satisfying meal that you can make any time of year! If you’ve got extra sausage in the fridge that you don’t know what to do with, this simple sausage dinner is the perfect solution!
It all starts with pan-seared smoked sausage or kielbasa and lots of healthy fresh green cabbage. Add some chicken broth, crunchy chopped onion, and spicy cajun seasoning into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a classic comfort food dinner.
The best part about this meal, other than its simple but awesomely bold flavors, is how easy it is to put together. It only takes 10 minutes to prep everything for the crockpot, and then you just have to wait until time’s up. Straightforward and satisfying – that’s the name of the game with this crockpot sausage recipe!
Short on time? Try our Easy Fried Cabbage and Sausage on the stove top instead!
Why We Love Kielbasa and Cabbage So Much
This sausage and cabbage recipe rises above other smoked sausage recipes for a couple of reasons. Here’s why we’re such big fans:
- Bold Smoky Flavor: Every bite of this meal is filled with smokiness from the sausage and a touch of heat from the spicy cajun seasoning. You really have to try it to get an idea of just how delightful the taste is!
- Quick and Simple: Crockpot meals are some of our favorite meals. Minimal prep work plus time to do other things around the house while dinner cooks? Sounds good!
- Budget-Friendly: The ingredients list for smoked sausage and cabbage is quite short. Plus, a lot of the time you can make it with leftover sausage in the fridge that hasn’t been cooked yet.
- Healthy: Protein & veggies are all you will find in this healthy crockpot dinner! This recipe is naturally gluten free and low carb. Cabbage is highly nutritious and rich in vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K.
What You’ll Need
Okay, time to round up the sausage, the cabbage, and a few other ingredients. Here’s what we’ll be working with today. (Note that you can find the exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.)
- Sliced Sausage: Use your favorite smoked sausage or kielbasa.
- Olive Oil: For searing the sausage with; you could use canola oil, etc. instead.
- Green Cabbage: The cabbage can be cut into large and small pieces. I like to mix the cabbage cut sizes up because some of the small pieces will become more tender and the bigger pieces will stay a little firmer.
- Chicken Broth: You can substitute with water, but chicken broth adds more flavor.
- Onion: We like to throw some chopped sweet onion in with the cabbage and sausage as well. It adds a ton of flavor to this simple dish.
- Cajun Seasoning: To add a bit of heat. Make this Homemade Cajun Seasoning if you have time! Short on time? Slap Ya Mama is our favorite store bought version.
- Optional Garnish: You can top the finished product with sliced green onion if you like.
How to Make Crockpot Cabbage and Sausage
The step-by-step guide for cabbage and sausage is insanely simple. Everything comes together in a snap!
- Sear the Sausage: Using a medium size skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sausage and sear it on both sides until it’s brown. Once browned, add the sausage to the crockpot.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: Stir to blend everything together.
- Cook the Sausage and Cabbage: Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve and Enjoy! Serve with a little chopped green onion on top, if desired.
Tips for Success
It doesn’t get much simpler, does it? Even so, here are a few extra tips that you might find helpful when making this meal:
- There Will Be a Lot of Cabbage in the Crockpot – That’s Okay! Keep in mind that the crockpot will be very full before cooking. The cabbage is going to cook down so don’t let a full crockpot of cut up cabbage scare you.
- Make Sure You Buy Pre-Cooked Smoked Sausage: If you use raw sausage you will need to sear it well before adding it to the crockpot. Searing the sausage helps to deepen the flavor, so we do recommend it. However, it is an optional step if you are using cooked sausage.
- Slice the Sausage Evenly: Try and cut the sausage pieces to be the same size – this will ensure that everything cooks evenly.
What Goes With Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage?
Wondering what to serve with a plate of smoky sausage and cabbage? We’ve got a couple of suggestions for you!
- Add Hot Sauce: This dinner is tasty with a little hot sauce over the top.
- Rice or Pasta: Serving your smoked sausage over a bed of plain rice or pasta is a great idea. We know some people love pasta stirred in with their cabbage and sausage. The best way to do this is to cook the pasta, drain it, then stir it into the crockpot right before serving.
- Dinner Rolls: Keep it simple by toasting up your favorite crusty bread or dinner rolls, then add some butter and call it a night!
- Extra Veggies: Broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus, green beans, and other vegetables all go well with this meal. You can roast them, cook them in a pan, etc… it all works!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Sausage and cabbage stores quite easily, so if you have leftovers, you can store them and reheat them later on in the week.
- To Store: Leftovers can be refrigerated for 4 days in an airtight container.
- To Reheat: Place leftovers in the microwave to reheat them. You could also do this in a pan over low-medium heat on the stovetop.
Can I Freeze This Smoked Sausage?
Yes, definitely! Leftovers can also be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them again, thaw them in the fridge the night before and then reheat as described.
More Easy Sausage Dinner Recipes
There are so many ways to cook sausages! Check out these other sausage dinners that we can’t get enough of:
- Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- One-Pot Italian Sausage Pasta
- Easy Shrimp Boil
- Crockpot Sloppy Joes
Crockpot Cabbage and Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 medium sized green cabbage, chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth, or water
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- Green onion, sliced, optional garnish
Instructions
- Using a medium size skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sausage and sear on both sides until brown. Once browned, add sausage to the crockpot.
- Add the remaining ingredients, stir to blend everything together.
- Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or low 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve with a little chopped green onion on top, if desired.
Notes
- To Store: Leftovers can be refrigerated for 4 days in an airtight container.
- To Reheat: Place leftovers in the microwave to reheat them. You could also do this in a pan over low-medium heat on the stovetop.
- To Freeze: Leftovers can also be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat them again, thaw them in the fridge the night before and then reheat as described.
