3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Bacon and Cabbage: Simple, Smoky, Satisfying

Published: March 7, 2026 | Servings: 4–6 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 6–7 hours (LOW) or 3–4 hours (HIGH) | Total time: Varies

Sometimes the best meals come from the simplest ingredients. Long before complicated recipes filled cookbooks and food blogs, families relied on humble staples like cabbage and bacon to create hearty, satisfying meals. These ingredients were affordable, easy to find, and when cooked slowly together, they produced a rich and comforting dish that warmed the whole kitchen.

Slow cooker recipes have brought this old-fashioned style of cooking back into modern kitchens. Busy families love meals that can be prepared in minutes and then left to cook slowly while the day goes on. With just three ingredients, this Slow Cooker Bacon and Cabbage recipe proves that delicious comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated.

As the cabbage cooks low and slow, it softens and absorbs the smoky flavor of the bacon. The natural sweetness of the cabbage balances perfectly with the savory richness of the bacon, creating a dish that tastes like it took hours of careful cooking.

This recipe is especially popular with people who enjoy budget-friendly crockpot meals, low-carb comfort food, and simple slow cooker recipes with few ingredients. It works perfectly as a side dish or even as a light main meal served with bread or potatoes.

If you’re looking for an easy recipe that delivers big flavor with almost no effort, this 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Bacon and Cabbage is a must-try.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Only 3 simple ingredients – Cabbage, bacon, chicken broth.
Perfect budget-friendly crockpot meal – Cabbage is one of the most affordable vegetables.
Great for low-carb and keto diets – Naturally low in carbohydrates.
Easy set-and-forget slow cooker recipe – Prep in minutes, cook while you work.
Delicious comfort food side dish – Pairs with almost anything.
Smoky, savory, sweet – The bacon infuses the cabbage with incredible flavor.
No chopping required – Just roughly chop the cabbage and bacon.

Ingredients

Large head of cabbage – 1, chopped
Bacon – 6 to 8 slices, chopped
Chicken broth – 1 cup

Ingredient Notes

What kind of cabbage? Green cabbage is the classic choice. It has sturdy leaves that hold up well during long, slow cooking. Savoy cabbage is more tender and has a milder flavor — it also works beautifully but may cook slightly faster. Red cabbage will work but will turn the dish purple.

What kind of bacon? Regular-cut bacon works well. Thick-cut bacon provides more substantial, meaty bits. Applewood-smoked or hickory-smoked bacon adds extra smoky depth. Turkey bacon works for a lighter version but won’t provide as much fat or smoky flavor.

Why chicken broth? The broth provides moisture for the cabbage to steam and braise in. It also adds savory depth. You can substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian version (though the bacon is still meat). Beef broth works but will change the flavor profile.

Can I use water instead of broth? Yes, but the dish will be less flavorful. If using water, add a pinch of salt and a dash of garlic powder to compensate.

Do I need to add salt? Probably not. Bacon is naturally salty, and most chicken broths contain salt. Taste before adding any extra salt.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Cabbage

Remove any wilted or damaged outer leaves from the 1 large head of cabbage.

Cut the cabbage in half through the core. Cut each half in half again, creating quarters. Cut out the solid white core from each quarter and discard it.

Chop the cabbage into 1- to 2-inch pieces. They don’t need to be uniform — rough chunks are fine. The cabbage will shrink significantly as it cooks.

Step 2: Prep the Bacon

Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, chop the 6 to 8 slices of bacon into 1-inch pieces. You don’t need to be precise — rough pieces work perfectly.

Step 3: Layer in the Slow Cooker

Place the chopped cabbage into the slow cooker.

Sprinkle the chopped bacon evenly over the cabbage.

Pour the 1 cup of chicken brothover everything. Do not stir — the broth will distribute as it cooks.

Step 4: Cover and Cook

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on:

LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or
HIGH for 3 to 4 hours

The cabbage is ready when it is very tender and has reduced significantly in volume. The bacon will be fully cooked and the broth will have concentrated into a savory, smoky liquid.

Step 5: Stir and Serve

Stir gently before serving so the bacon flavor mixes throughout the cabbage.

Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of black pepper if desired. Add salt only if needed — remember that bacon is salty.

Serve warm as a side dish or light main course.

Variations & Tips

Make It with Smoked Sausage

Replace the bacon with 12 ounces of smoked kielbasa or andouille sausage, sliced into rounds. The sausage adds a different smoky flavor and makes the dish heartier.

Make It with Ham

Replace the bacon with 1½ cups of diced ham. Ham is less fatty than bacon but still provides savory, smoky flavor.

Make It with Onion

Add 1 large onion, sliced to the slow cooker along with the cabbage. The onion will soften and become sweet, adding another layer of flavor.

Make It with Carrots

Add 2–3 carrots, peeled and sliced to the slow cooker. Carrots add sweetness and color.

Make It with Garlic

Add 3–4 cloves of minced garlicalong with the bacon. Garlic and cabbage are a classic pairing.

Make It Creamy

Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or sour cream during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This creates a rich, creamy cabbage dish similar to creamed cabbage.

Make It with Apple

Add 1 large apple, peeled and choppedto the slow cooker. Apple and cabbage are a classic German pairing (similar to sauerkraut). The apple adds sweetness and a touch of tartness.

Make It with Caraway Seeds

Add 1 teaspoon of caraway seedsalong with the cabbage. Caraway is a traditional seasoning for cabbage dishes, adding an earthy, slightly licorice-like flavor.

Make It Spicy

Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakesor a dash of cayenne pepper for heat. Or use spicy andouille sausage instead of bacon.

Make It in the Instant Pot

Use the “Sauté” setting to cook the bacon for 3–4 minutes until it starts to render.
Add the cabbage and broth.
Pressure cook on HIGH for 5 minutes.
Quick release.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen overnight — this dish is often even better the next day.

Reheating:

Microwave: 1–2 minutes per serving.
Skillet: Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Slow cooker: Warm on LOW for 30–45 minutes.

Freezing: This dish freezes reasonably well for up to 2 months. The texture of the cabbage will soften further, but the flavor remains excellent. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to cook the bacon before adding it to the slow cooker?

No. Raw bacon cooks perfectly in the slow cooker. The fat renders out and infuses the cabbage with smoky flavor. If you prefer crispier bacon bits, you can cook the bacon in a skillet first, then add it to the slow cooker. This will also reduce the fat content.

Why is my cabbage watery?

Cabbage naturally releases a lot of water as it cooks. This is normal. If you prefer a less watery dish:

Use less broth (½ cup instead of 1 cup)
Cook with the lid slightly cracked for the last hour to allow steam to escape
After cooking, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes to reduce the liquid

Can I use red cabbage?

Yes. Red cabbage works beautifully, but it will turn the dish purple. The flavor is similar to green cabbage, though slightly earthier. Red cabbage also contains more antioxidants.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Omit the bacon and use 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to add smoky flavor. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth.

What should I serve with this?

This dish is incredibly versatile:

As a side dish: Serve alongside roasted chicken, pork chops, sausages, or corned beef.
As a main course: Serve with crusty bread or boiled potatoes for a light meal.
Over mashed potatoes: The smoky broth is delicious spooned over potatoes.

Can I add potatoes to the slow cooker?

Absolutely. Add 1 pound of small potatoes (whole or halved)along with the cabbage. Potatoes and cabbage cook at roughly the same rate. The potatoes will absorb the smoky bacon flavor.

Is this dish keto-friendly?

Yes. Cabbage is low in carbohydrates and high in fiber. Bacon provides fat and protein. This dish fits perfectly into a low-carb or keto diet.

What to Serve With It

As a side dish (classic pairings):

Corned beef – A classic Irish pairing (think corned beef and cabbage)
Roasted chicken – Simple and satisfying
Pork chops – Pan-seared or baked
Smoked sausage or kielbasa – Double down on the smoky flavor
Meatloaf – A comforting weeknight dinner

As a light main course:

Crusty bread – For sopping up the smoky broth
Boiled or mashed potatoes– Hearty and filling
Buttered egg noodles – Wide noodles catch the broth beautifully

For a full Irish-inspired meal:

Corned beef
Boiled potatoes
This bacon and cabbage
Irish soda bread
Mustard on the side

The History of Bacon and Cabbage

Bacon and cabbage is a classic dish in Irish and Irish-American cuisine, traditionally served as part of a “boiled dinner.” Corned beef and cabbage may be more famous today, but bacon and cabbage (using Irish bacon, which is more like ham) was the original pairing.

In Ireland, cabbage was a staple vegetable because it grew well in the cool, damp climate and could be stored for months. Bacon (cured pork) was a way to preserve meat before refrigeration. The two were boiled together, creating a simple, hearty meal that fed large families.

Irish immigrants brought the dish to America, where it evolved. American bacon is different from Irish bacon (which is more like Canadian bacon), but the spirit remains the same — affordable ingredients, slow cooking, and big flavor.

This slow cooker version honors that tradition while making it accessible for modern cooks. No boiling pot on the stove. No watching the clock. Just set it and forget it.

Final Thoughts

This 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Bacon and Cabbage is proof that simple food can be deeply satisfying. Cabbage. Bacon. Broth. That’s all you need to create a dish that’s smoky, savory, sweet, and comforting.

The cabbage softens into tender, buttery perfection. The bacon infuses every bite with rich, smoky flavor. The broth transforms into a savory pot liquor that begs to be soaked up with bread or potatoes.

Make it on St. Patrick’s Day. Make it on a cold winter evening. Make it when you need a budget-friendly, low-carb, set-it-and-forget-it meal. However you serve it, this bacon and cabbage will warm you from the inside out.