Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
If you love classic stuffed cabbage rolls but don’t love all the rolling, blanching, and baking, this Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe is your new weeknight hero.
This easy 4-ingredient crockpot cabbage and ground beef recipe delivers all the cozy, old-fashioned flavor of traditional cabbage rolls with almost zero effort. Just brown the beef, layer everything in the slow cooker, and let it simmer into tender, savory perfection.
It tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen… but your slow cooker does all the work.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Cabbage and Ground Beef Recipe
Only 4 simple ingredients
Budget-friendly comfort food
High-protein, hearty family meal
Perfect for meal prep & freezer-friendly
Tastes like traditional stuffed cabbage rolls without the work
This is the ultimate easy crockpot dinner for busy families.
Servings: 6
Cook Time: 6–8 hours (LOW) or 3–4 hours (HIGH)
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef (80–85% lean)
1 small head green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (about 6–7 cups)
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with juices
Directions:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no pink remains. Break it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess grease, leaving a little for flavor.
Thinly slice the green cabbage and dice the onion.
Lightly grease your slow cooker.
Add cabbage to the bottom
Sprinkle onions evenly over the cabbage
Spoon browned ground beef on top
Pour diced tomatoes (with juices) over everything
Do not stir the cabbage will cook down beautifully underneath.
Cover and cook:
LOW: 6–8 hours
HIGH: 3–4 hours
Once tender, stir everything together to create a rich tomato broth with savory beef and soft cabbage.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste before serving.
Health & Budget Benefits:
High in protein from ground beef
Low-carb friendly (great without rice)
Naturally gluten-free
Uses affordable pantry staples
Cabbage is rich in fiber and vitamin C
This is a wonderful budget slow cooker meal that feeds a family without stretching your grocery bill.
Serving Ideas:
This unstuffed cabbage roll recipe is delicious:
Served in bowls with crusty bread
Spoon over mashed potatoes
Serve over white rice to stretch it furthe
Pair with applesauce or a crisp green salad
Add dill pickles on the side for classic Midwest flavor
Variations & Pro Tips:
Want more classic stuffed cabbage flavor?
Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar + splash of vinegar or lemon juice for a sweet-and-sour finish
Stir in 1–2 cups cooked rice during the last 30 minutes
Swap one can of diced tomatoes for crushed tomatoes for thicker sauce
Use ground turkey for a leaner version
Add garlic powder or onion powder while browning beef for deeper flavor
Storage & Meal Prep:
Store in the refrigerator up to 4 days
Freeze up to 3 months
Reheats beautifully for easy lunches
This makes an excellent make-ahead freezer meal for busy weeks.
