Put raw cabbage wedges in a slow cooker

Putting raw cabbage wedges in a slow cooker with just a few simple ingredients creates a surprisingly flavorful, tender dish. A popular version uses cabbage + butter + garlic + seasoning, but there are many variations.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Cabbage Wedges

Ingredients

• 1 large head of green cabbage, cut into thick wedges
• 4 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
• 3–5 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

(If you want exactly “3 ingredients,” use only cabbage, butter, and garlic, then add salt and pepper as seasonings.)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage
   • Remove any damaged outer leaves.
   • Cut the cabbage into wedges, keeping a small piece of the core attached so the wedges hold together.
2. Add to the slow cooker
   • Place cabbage wedges into the slow cooker.
   • Add butter pieces over the top.
   • Sprinkle with minced garlic.
   • Add broth around the cabbage.
3. Cook
   • Cover and cook:
     • Low: 5–6 hours
     • High: 2½–3½ hours
4. Finish and serve
   • Carefully lift out the tender wedges.
   • Spoon the buttery garlic juices over the top.
   • Adjust salt and pepper.

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Why It Tastes So Good

Slow cooking transforms cabbage:

• The natural sugars become sweeter.
• The texture becomes soft and almost melt-in-your-mouth.
• Garlic and butter soak into the layers.
• The cabbage develops a rich, savory flavor without needing many ingredients.

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Delicious Additions

You can customize it with:

Smoky version

Add:

• Smoked paprika
• Bacon pieces or smoked sausage

Asian-inspired version

Add:

• Soy sauce
• Ginger
• Sesame oil

Mediterranean version

Add:

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Herbs

Spicy version

Add:

• Chili flakes
• Hot sauce

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Tips for Best Results

• Use thick wedges so the cabbage does not turn into mush.
• Do not remove too much of the core—it keeps the pieces intact.
• Green cabbage works best, but savoy cabbage is also excellent.
• A quick broil or pan-sear after slow cooking can add a caramelized flavor.

This simple slow cooker cabbage is a good example of how inexpensive vegetables can become a rich, comforting side dish with minimal effort.