Crock-Pot Smothered Cabbage & Sausage

5 servings Total: 7 h 10 m Beginner
5.0/5 (2)
Crock-Pot Smothered Cabbage & Sausage
A hearty slow-cooker dish with tender cabbage, smoked sausage, and Rotel tomatoes simmered in chicken broth. This easy one-pot meal brings classic Louisiana flavors to your table with minimal effort—just load up the crock pot and let it work its magic for 7 hours.

Ingredients

5 servings
  • 1 head of cabbage, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 can rotel tomatoes or salsa
  • 1 cup chicken broth, low fat and low sodium
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients into a crock pot, salt and pepper to taste. Turn on high heat and cook for about 5 hours.
  2. After 5 hours, turn heat setting to low and continue cooking for another 2 hours. Serve and enjoy over Cajun rice or with cornbread!

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I cook this faster on high the whole time?

A: It's best to follow the high-then-low method. Cooking only on high for 7 hours can make the cabbage mushy and break down too much. The combination of high then low gives you the best texture.

Q: The dish seems watery at the end. What should I do?

A: Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let excess liquid evaporate, or serve with a slotted spoon. You can also thicken it slightly by mashing some of the cabbage against the side of the pot.

Tips and Techniques

For extra flavor, brown the sliced sausage in a skillet before adding to the crock pot. The caramelization adds a deeper, richer taste to the finished dish.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • smoked sausage: andouille sausage or kielbasa
  • Rotel tomatoes: diced tomatoes with 1-2 chopped jalapeños
  • chicken broth: vegetable broth or beef broth

Equipment Needed

  • slow cooker or crock pot (4-6 quart size)

Historical Context

Smothered cabbage is a classic Southern and Cajun side dish, traditionally cooked low and slow on the stovetop. The slow-cooker adaptation makes this old-fashioned comfort food even easier for modern cooks.