Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Cabbage and Ground Beef Stew

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Cabbage Beef Stew with ground beef, tender cabbage, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and savory broth

Slow Cooker Cabbage and Ground Beef Stew

Cabbage Beef Stew is a cozy slow cooker meal made with ground beef, tender cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, and savory herbs. It is hearty enough for dinner, simple enough for busy weekdays, and perfect when you want a warm one-pot meal with minimal effort. Cabbage Beef Stew develops deep flavor as it cooks slowly, allowing the vegetables to soften while the beef and tomato broth become rich and comforting.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on LOW or 3 to 4 hours on HIGH
Total Time: About 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients

For the Ground Beef

  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients For the Stew

  • 1 small green cabbage, cored and chopped
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

For Finishing

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Extra broth if needed

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cabbage Beef Stew is a practical recipe because it uses inexpensive, everyday ingredients and turns them into a filling family meal. The slow cooker does most of the work, so you can prepare everything earlier in the day and return to a hot dinner.

Another reason to love this recipe is its flexibility. You can add more vegetables, adjust the seasoning, or change the potatoes depending on what you already have at home.

How to Make Cabbage Beef Stew

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the olive oil and ground beef. Break the beef into small crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the beef is browned and no pink remains.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

Step 2: Add Onion and Garlic

Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef.

Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion begins to soften.

Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Browning the beef before slow cooking gives Cabbage Beef Stew a deeper flavor and helps prevent excess grease in the finished dish.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables

Core the cabbage and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Peel and cube the potatoes, slice the carrots, and chop the celery.

Step 4: Layer the Slow Cooker

Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, and half of the cabbage to the slow cooker.

Spoon the browned beef and onion mixture over the vegetables.

Add the remaining cabbage on top.

Step 5: Add Tomatoes and Broth

Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth.

Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, thyme, onion powder, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 6: Stir Gently

Use a large spoon to gently combine the ingredients.

The slow cooker may look very full at first, but the cabbage will shrink considerably as it cooks.

Cabbage Beef Stew should have enough liquid to cook the vegetables, but the cabbage does not need to be completely submerged.

Step 7: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Avoid opening the lid often because each time you remove it, heat escapes and cooking slows down.

Step 8: Check the Vegetables

Near the end of the cooking time, test the potatoes and carrots with a fork.

They should be tender but not falling apart.

Stir the stew carefully to redistribute the cabbage and beef.

Step 9: Adjust the Consistency

If Cabbage Beef Stew is thicker than you prefer, add 1/2 cup extra beef broth.

If it seems too thin, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes so some liquid can evaporate.

Step 10: Taste and Season

Taste the broth and adjust the salt, black pepper, paprika, or Worcestershire sauce.

A small splash of vinegar can also brighten the flavor if desired.

Step 11: Add Fresh Parsley

Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving.

Step 12: Serve

Ladle Cabbage Beef Stew into bowls and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

Cabbage Beef Stew is filling enough to serve as a complete meal.

Pair it with crusty bread, dinner rolls, cornbread, or garlic toast for soaking up the tomato-rich broth.

You can also serve Cabbage Beef Stew with a simple green salad, roasted green beans, or steamed vegetables.

For another comforting cabbage dish, try our Bacon Fried Cabbage with crispy bacon, tender cabbage, onion, garlic, and savory seasonings.

Recipe Tips

Use lean ground beef to keep the broth from becoming overly greasy.

Browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker improves both texture and flavor.

Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.

Do not chop the cabbage too finely because larger pieces hold their shape better during long cooking.

For the best Cabbage Beef Stew texture, place potatoes and carrots near the bottom of the slow cooker where they receive more direct heat.

Do not overfill your slow cooker. Leave a little space at the top so heat can circulate properly.

Easy Variations

Cabbage Beef Stew can be adjusted to suit different tastes.

For a smoky variation, add sliced kielbasa or smoked sausage along with the ground beef.

For extra vegetables, add green beans, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn.

You can make it slightly spicy by increasing the red pepper flakes or adding a dash of hot sauce.

For a lower-carb version, omit the potatoes and add extra cabbage, celery, or cauliflower.

Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef if you prefer a lighter protein.

You may also enjoy our Creamy Garlic Shrimp Spinach Skillet for a rich seafood dinner with tender shrimp, fresh spinach, garlic, Parmesan, cream, and lemon.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This recipe works well for meal preparation.

Brown the beef and chop all the vegetables the night before.

In the morning, transfer everything to the slow cooker, add the remaining ingredients, and begin cooking.

Cabbage Beef Stew can also be fully cooked a day ahead because the flavor becomes even more developed after resting overnight.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover Cabbage Beef Stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm a larger amount in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

Add a splash of broth or water if the stew thickens during storage.

This recipe also freezes well. Cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per serving:

Calories: 390
Protein: 27 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Fiber: 7 g
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 720 mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the beef, broth, vegetables, and serving size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put raw ground beef directly in the slow cooker?

You can, but browning it first gives better flavor and allows you to drain excess grease.

Can I use red cabbage?

Yes, although it will change the color of the broth and may have a slightly different flavor.

Can I make Cabbage Beef Stew without potatoes?

Yes. Leave them out or replace them with cauliflower, turnips, or additional carrots.

Can I use canned potatoes?

Yes, but add them during the final hour because they are already cooked and can become too soft.

Can I add beans?

Yes. Kidney beans, white beans, or pinto beans can be added during the final hour of cooking.

Why is my cabbage still firm?

It may need more time, especially if it was cut into very large pieces. Stir it into the hotter liquid and continue cooking.

Can I cook this overnight?

It is better to cook during the day and refrigerate promptly after cooling rather than leaving the finished stew sitting for many hours.

Final Thoughts

Cabbage Beef Stew is a dependable slow cooker dinner that turns simple ingredients into a warm and satisfying meal.

Because Cabbage Beef Stew combines savory ground beef, tender cabbage, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, it delivers plenty of flavor without requiring complicated preparation.

Keep this Cabbage Beef Stew recipe handy for cold evenings, busy weekdays, meal prep, or family dinners when you want something hearty and easy.

With tender vegetables, rich tomato broth, and seasoned beef in every bowl, Cabbage Beef Stew is a comforting one-pot meal that is simple to prepare and easy to enjoy.