Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
This Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe offers a comforting, deconstructed twist on traditional stuffed cabbage rolls. Ground beef, cabbage, and tomatoes are combined with savory seasonings and gently cooked in a slow cooker for a hearty, flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
- 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the yellow onion and chop the small head of green cabbage into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Open the cans of petite diced tomatoes and tomato paste for easy mixing later.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to prevent greasiness in the slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the browned ground beef, diced onion, chopped cabbage, petite diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and water into the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking slowly allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to become tender without losing texture.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Before serving, taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more salt or pepper to preference. Serve warm as a comforting main dish perfect for any season.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- For added sweetness, include a splash of apple cider vinegar or a teaspoon of sugar during cooking.
- Serve with crusty bread or over cooked rice to make it a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.