4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sausage and Cabbage
If you’re looking for a cheap, hearty dinner that delivers big comfort, this 4-ingredient slow cooker sausage and cabbage recipe is exactly what you need. Inspired by old-fashioned cabbage-and-sausage meals our grandmothers swore by, this modern slow cooker version gives you the same cozy flavor with almost no effort.
With smoky kielbasa, tender cabbage, and a savory broth, this dish proves you don’t need fancy ingredients to make a satisfying, family-approved meal. Just add everything to the slow cooker, walk away, and come home to a warm, filling dinner that tastes like it’s been cooking all day.
Perfect for busy weeknights, tight grocery budgets, or anyone craving classic comfort food, this recipe is a true set-it-and-forget-it favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Only 4 simple ingredients
Budget-friendly and filling
Minimal prep, hands-off cooking
Family-friendly comfort food
Perfect for meal prep or leftovers
Great for busy weeknights
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1½ pounds kielbasa, sliced into ½-inch rounds
1 small head green cabbage (about 2–2½ pounds), cored and chopped
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
Directions:
Prep the vegetables: Core and chop the cabbage into large bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the onion.
Layer the slow cooker: Place the cabbage in the bottom of a 4–6 quart slow cooker. Scatter the onion evenly over the top.
Add the sausage: Arrange the sliced kielbasa on top of the vegetables so the flavorful juices drip down as it cooks.
Add liquid: Pour the chicken broth evenly over everything. Gently press the cabbage down so it starts to soften.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage is very tender and the sausage is juicy.
Serve: Stir well, taste, and season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with plenty of the savory broth.
Serving Ideas:
Spoon over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles
Serve with crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the broth
Pair with green beans or a simple salad for balance
Go old-school with boiled potatoes and applesauce for a sweet-and-smoky contrast
Easy Variations & Tips:
Kid-friendly: Slice sausage smaller and chop cabbage more finely
Add natural sweetness: Toss in sliced apples or shredded carrots
Extra flavor: Brown the kielbasa briefly before adding it to the slow cooker
Make it heartier: Add canned diced potatoes during the last hour
Polish-style twist: Sprinkle in a teaspoon of caraway seeds
Spice lovers: Serve with hot sauce or red pepper flakes on the side
