This Crock Pot Ham and Cabbage is an easy 5 ingredient main course or side dish made simple in the slow cooker. Serve to a crowd or for a hassle-free weeknight meal that's both filling and comforting.
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I think cabbage may be the most underrated vegetable. When it's cooked for several hours at a low temperature, like in this Crockpot Ham and Cabbage, it becomes an inexpensive comfort meal for any night of the week.
Scott and I make this budget-friendly slow cooker dinner around St. Patrick's Day as well as during the colder winter months. With just 5 ingredients, it's so rich in flavor, you'll never believe it!
When it comes to serving, I've served it as a main course or a side dish with Air Fryer Meatloaf or my Easy Turkey Breast. But I think the best part is that it takes less than 10 minutes to prep and then cooks in the slow cooker, making mealtime super easy.
Shortcuts
- For easy cleanup, use removable slow cooker liners. This makes cleaning less than 5 minutes!
- If you want to avoid chopping the cabbage (which can be a little tedious), use 2 (16 ounce) bags of cabbage slaw mix instead of cutting up your own. Just reduce the cooking time by about 1 to 2 hours.
- A great way to use up leftover ham after a holiday meal. Dice it up and toss it into this easy main course or side dish.
Ingredients
This is a true 5 ingredient recipe (and 6 if you want to add onion). It's quick to prep and affordable to serve to a crowd and so delicious, too!
Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.
- Small head of cabbage: You can also use half of a large head as well and save the rest for another recipe.
- Chopped ham: Adds smokiness and rich flavor to every bite. You can use leftover ham, ham steak, or even deli ham if you're in a pinch! I buy these packages of chopped or diced ham when they go on sale and store in the freezer until ready to use.
- Onion: Optional if you want to be super simple, but adds a little bit more depth of flavor if desired.
- Garlic salt: Infuses every bite with just a bit of garlic flavor.
- Chicken or vegetable broth: Cooking liquid to make this slow cooker ham and cabbage comforting and cozy. Vegetable broth also works!
- Half a stick of butter: Rounds out all of the flavors to make them even richer.
How to make Crock Pot Ham and Cabbage
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.
- In a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker, toss together the cabbage, ham, onion (if using), garlic salt and pepper. Pour the broth over everything and arrange the butter slices on top.
- Secure the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. (I like the lower end of cooking times so the cabbage still holds its shape a bit. Go the longer time period if you like yours super tender.) Stir before serving.
Pro Tips
- Choose your cook time. If you like some texture to your cabbage (I do!), then cook it in the shorter side. You can keep cooking it longer if you like it really tender, up to you!
- Add some mix-ins if you like. I've added fresh herbs like parsley or dill at the end, as well as a spoonful of Dijon mustard, splash of apple cider vinegar. If you like the flavor of German kraut, stir in some caraway seeds with the salt.
- Chop the cabbage all the same size. This helps with even cooking so that all of the pieces cook at the same rate for consistent texture.
- The type of ham is versatile for this recipe. They sell chopped or cubed ham at the store, leftover ham works great, even ham steak or deli ham too. If you want to try a small ham hock, that will also work, just shred the meat off the bone right before serving.
What to Serve with Ham and Cabbage in the Crock Pot
Whether you serve this as a main or a side, there are so many options for pairing. Here are some of my favorites:
- Onion Cornbread
- 2 Ingredient Biscuits
- Air Fryer Roast Chicken
- Candied Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
- Fried Green Tomatoes
Substitutions & Variations
- If you don’t like the texture of onions but like the flavor, substitute ¼ teaspoon onion powder for the ½ cup onion or swap out the garlic salt for onion salt.
- You can also use freshly minced garlic as well. I like about 2 cloves if you want to add it in addition or instead of the garlic salt.
- Add potatoes for extra heartiness. Mash it all together after cooking to make Colcannon!
- Red Cabbage can easily be swapped out for green cabbage.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan until hot.
It freezes well! I freeze any leftovers in small containers for a quick lunch. Just microwave at HIGH for 2 or 3 minutes or let it thaw in fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop.
With this being a crockpot meal, it's great to make it in advance for a busy weeknight dinner. Meal time becomes completely stress-free!
FAQs
Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. If you want more texture in the cabbage, then cook it on the shorter side. If you like more tender cabbage, cook it for longer.
Just until it's thoroughly heated. The timing will vary whether it's chopped ham, bone-in ham, or a smaller cut like a ham hock.
I sometimes add to my recipe mustard seed, celery seed, fennel seed, or even caraway see and oregano. Warm spices and a splash of apple cider vinegar brings out the cabbage fresh flavors.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
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Crock Pot Ham and Cabbage
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Ingredients
- 1 small head of cabbage or half of a large head cut into 1 ½ inch pieces (8 cups, 1 ¾ pounds)
- 1 8 ounce package chopped ham (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup coarsely chopped or slivered onion optional
- ¾ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Half a stick of butter (¼ cup) cut into 8 slices
Instructions
- In a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker, toss together the cabbage, ham, onion (if using), garlic salt and pepper. Pour the broth over everything and arrange the butter slice on top.
- Secure the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. (I like the lower end of cooking times so the cabbage still holds its shape a bit. Go the longer time period if you like yours super tender.)
- Stir before serving.
- Yield: 7 cups
Notes
- Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan with a splash of stock or water until warmed through.
- Freezing: We don't recommend freezing the cabbage and ham since it will change the texture and make it watery once thawed.
- Make Ahead: With this being a crockpot meal, it's the best to make it in advance for a busy weeknight dinner. Meal time becomes completely stress-free!
- Choose your cook time. Cook the cabbage for a shorter time for more texture or longer time for more super tender. If you like some texture to your cabbage (I do!), then cook it in the shorter side. You can keep cooking it longer if you like it really tender, up to you!
- Add some mix-ins if desired. I've added fresh herbs like parsley or dill at the end, as well as a spoonful of Dijon mustard, splash of apple cider vinegar, or even spices like celery or caraway seed for a twist on the classic flavors.
- Chop the cabbage all the same size. This helps with even cooking so that all of the pieces cook at the same rate for consistent texture.
- The type of ham is versatile for this recipe. They sell chopped or cubed ham at the store, leftover ham works great, even ham steak or deli ham too. If you want to try a ham hock, they will also work well, just shred the meat off the bone right before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
Jodie Kay Baker Minor
Easy.
Healthy.
Delicious!!!!
And versatile! Cook to the tenderness you like!!!! Literally toss a few ingredients into the crock pot and enjoy!!!
Kathleen
Well said! I'm all about those "toss and enjoy" recipes!
Scott P
I love this inexpensive meal. I had several of these items available in my fridge.
Kathleen
I call this cheap eats! In a good way!