Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Beef and Cabbage
Looking for an easy, affordable dinner that practically cooks itself? This Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Beef and Cabbage is a cozy one-pot meal made with ground beef, green cabbage, yellow onion, and beef broth. It requires very little preparation, making it perfect for busy weeknights, cold-weather dinners, or anyone looking for a simple budget-friendly meal.
The slow cooker gently cooks everything together until the cabbage becomes tender and the beef is savory and flavorful. With only four main ingredients, this easy slow cooker beef recipe is proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list to make a satisfying family dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage
- Only 4 main ingredients: Simple ingredients make this recipe affordable and easy to prepare.
- Budget-friendly: Ground beef and cabbage are inexpensive staples that can feed the whole family.
- Easy weeknight dinner: Minimal prep means you can get dinner started without spending much time in the kitchen.
- One-pot comfort food: Everything cooks together in the slow cooker for easy cleanup.
- Filling and satisfying: Beef and cabbage create a hearty combination that’s perfect for a family meal.
- Make-ahead friendly: Brown the beef and prepare the vegetables in advance for an even faster morning setup.
- Easy to customize: Potatoes, additional seasonings, or ground turkey can easily be added.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium green cabbage, cored and chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage
1. Brown the ground beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until completely browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the vegetables
Place the sliced onion and chopped cabbage into the slow cooker. Spread the cooked ground beef evenly over the vegetables.
3. Add the beef broth
Pour the beef broth over the beef, cabbage, and onion. Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
4. Slow cook
Cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the cabbage is very tender and the flavors have blended together.
5. Stir and serve
Give everything a good stir before serving. Ladle the hot beef and cabbage into bowls and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage
Brown the beef first: Browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker gives it better texture and helps remove excess grease.
Cut the cabbage evenly: Chop the cabbage into similar-sized pieces so it cooks at roughly the same rate.
Don’t overfill the slow cooker: Leave enough room for the ingredients to cook evenly and for the broth to circulate.
Season to taste: The beef broth provides plenty of savory flavor, but black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or a little hot sauce can add extra flavor.
Prepare it the night before: Brown the beef and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Store them properly in the refrigerator, then assemble the slow cooker when you’re ready to cook.
Easy Variations
Add potatoes
For a heartier slow cooker beef and cabbage dinner, add 3 to 4 peeled and chopped potatoes. The potatoes absorb the savory broth and make this inexpensive meal even more filling.
Try ground turkey
Ground turkey is an easy alternative to ground beef. Because turkey is usually leaner, you can add a little additional broth if needed.
Add extra vegetables
Carrots, celery, or diced tomatoes can be added for more vegetables and flavor.
Make it spicy
Add crushed red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce for a little heat.
What to Serve With Beef and Cabbage
This hearty slow cooker meal pairs well with:
- Warm dinner rolls
- Cornbread
- Buttered bread
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed rice
- Egg noodles
- A simple green salad
The savory broth is especially good with crusty bread for soaking up every last bit.
Storage and Reheating
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put raw ground beef directly into the slow cooker?
You can, but browning the ground beef first is recommended. It improves the flavor and texture and allows you to drain excess grease before slow cooking.
Can I add potatoes to this recipe?
Yes. Add peeled, chopped potatoes at the same time as the cabbage and onion. They make the dish more substantial and are especially good for a cold-weather dinner.
Can I use red cabbage instead of green cabbage?
Yes. Red cabbage can be used, although it will change the color and slightly alter the flavor of the finished dish.
Is this a good meal-prep recipe?
Absolutely. The beef and vegetables can be prepared ahead of time, and leftovers reheat well for easy lunches or dinners during the week.
