Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls

Published on December 13, 2023

, Updated on January 8, 2024

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Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls are packed with a delicious meat mixture and cooked to perfection. This will soon be a family favorite meal idea.

These slow cooked cabbage rolls are soft, loaded with flavor and easy to make. The cabbage rolls are rolled with a meat mixture that makes it a hearty meal.

Slow Cooker Recipes are save me time when preparing our weeknight meals. If you love these cabbage rolls, try Crock Pot Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe or Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe.

Why This Recipe Works:
Ingredients:
Variations:
Step by Step Instructions:
Recipe Tips:
Serving Suggestions:
Frequently Asked Questions:
More Easy Cabbage Recipes:
Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Why This Recipe Works:

The next time you need a simple and crowd pleasing meal, make this crock pot cabbage rolls recipe. The cabbage, sauce and meat filled cabbage rolls are layered in a slow cooker to create a delicious meal.

Serve these cabbage rolls with a side of white rice and air fryer broccoli for a complete meal idea.

Ingredients:

Head Cabbage
Lean Ground Beef
Onion (finely diced)
Cooked Rice
Minced Garlic
Large Egg (beaten)
Italian Seasoning
Salt
Pepper
Crushed Tomatoes
Tomato Sauce (15 ounces)
Tomato Paste
Worcestershire sauce
Brown Sugar

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Variations:

Change the Meat – Feel free to change the meat to what you prefer. You can use chicken, ground sausage, turkey, ground pork or a mixture of these meats.
Tomato Soup – Feel free to add in a can of tomato sauce instead of using tomato sauce.
Spices – You can add in different spices or fresh herbs to the meat mixture. Add in red pepper for an extra kick of flavor.

Step by Step Instructions:

Step 1 – Remove the outer tough leaves from the cabbage. Place the cabbage (core side down) in a large microwave safe dish and pour approximately ½ cup of water around the cabbage.

Step 2 – Microwave for 10 minutes. Carefully flip the cabbage over in the dish and microwave for another 10 minutes. Cool Cabbage slightly and remove about 14-16 cabbage leaves.

Combining the meat mixture ingredients in a bowl

Step 3 – In a large mixing bowl, stir together the ground beef, onion, rice, minced garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

Mixing the sauce in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Step 4 – In a separate large bowl whisk together the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.

Placing the cabbage leaves and topping with sauce in the slow cooker

Step 5 – Cover the bottom of the crock pot with any excess cabbage leaves. Then pour ⅓ of the sauce into the crock pot on top of the cabbage leaves.

Preparing the cabbage rolls by rolling in the meat mixture

Step 6 – Then it’s time to prepare the rolls. Place approximately 3 tablespoons of the ground meat mixture into the center of each cabbage leaf.

Layering the cabbage rolls in a slow cooker

Step 7 – Fold up the sides of each cabbage leaf and roll the leaves to form a small burrito and place the cabbage rolls seam side down into the crock pot. Continue this process until you have 1 layer of cabbage rolls in the crock pot. Top with another ⅓ of the sauce mixture

Cabbage Rolls on a plate topped with sauce in a slow cooker

Step 8 – Follow the same process to form the remaining cabbage rolls with the remaining leaves and mixture. Make a 2nd layer of cabbage rolls in the crock pot and top with the remaining sauce. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the rolls reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve and Enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

Heat Cabbage – Carefully heat the green cabbage before preparing the stuffed cabbage rolls. Cook for about 10 minutes on each side.
Layering Ingredients – Layer the cabbage rolls in the slow cooker to make this crockpot cabbage rolls. Cook on low for about 6 hours or cook on high for about 4 hours.
Boil Cabbage Rolls – If you prefer you can cook the cabbage rolls in a large pot of boiling water. Bring the large pot or water to boil and then place the cabbage rolls in the pot.

Cabbage Rolls on a plate topped with sauce

Serving Suggestions:

The cabbage rolls can be served with many different side dishes. We like to serve with white rice, brown rice and a side of roasted vegetables. Add a side of Homemade Rolls to give every last drop of the sauce.