Turn simple cabbage into a tender, flavorful slow-cooker side dish with butter, garlic, and savory broth. An easy comfort-food recipe the whole family will love.
Cabbage may seem like a humble vegetable, but when you cut it into thick wedges and let it slowly cook with the right ingredients, it becomes buttery, tender, savory, and incredibly flavorful.
The secret is just three simple ingredients: butter, garlic, and chicken broth.
🥬 Ingredients
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
🍲 How to Make It
1. Cut the cabbage
Remove any damaged outer leaves. Cut the cabbage into 6–8 thick wedges, keeping a little of the core attached so the wedges hold together.
2. Add to the slow cooker
Arrange the cabbage wedges in the slow cooker.
3. Add the three key ingredients
Place small pieces of butter over the cabbage. Sprinkle with minced garlic, then pour the chicken broth around the wedges.
4. Season
Add salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
5. Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until the cabbage is very tender. Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the wedges and your slow cooker.
6. Finish and serve
Carefully transfer the cabbage to a serving dish and spoon some of the buttery garlic broth over the top.
✨ Easy Ways to Make It Even Better
For extra flavor, try adding cooked bacon, sliced onions, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or a splash of lemon juice before serving.
The cabbage becomes soft enough to cut with a fork while absorbing the buttery garlic broth. It’s inexpensive, comforting, and makes a surprisingly impressive side dish for roast chicken, beef, pork, or a holiday dinner.
Tip: Don’t drown the cabbage in liquid. The goal is to let it slowly steam and braise rather than boil.