Slow Cooker Braised Cabbage and Bacon
Tender, savory braised cabbage slow-cooked with smoky bacon, onion, and a splash of cider vinegar for an easy hands-off side dish.
Ingredients
- 8 oz thick-cut bacon chopped
- 1 large head green cabbage cored and roughly chopped (about 2.5 lbs)
- 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth low-sodium
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- salt to taste, after cooking
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until the fat renders and the pieces are lightly crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
- Add the sliced onion to the bacon drippings and cook until softened and golden at the edges, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped cabbage to the slow cooker. Top with the onion-garlic mixture and most of the bacon, reserving a little bacon for garnish.
- Whisk together the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Pour evenly over the cabbage.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours (or HIGH for 2 to 2.5 hours), stirring once halfway through, until the cabbage is silky and tender.
- Taste and season with salt as needed. Scatter the reserved bacon over the top and serve warm.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, swap half the chicken broth for a splash of dry white wine. Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.
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