Easy Slow Cooker Cabbage, Potatoes, and Smoked Sausage 🌿🥔🌭

This hearty dish is the perfect comfort food for cold days or when you need a simple, filling meal. Slow-cooked to perfection, the flavors of cabbage, potatoes, and smoked sausage meld beautifully, making it a favorite for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Enjoy this tasty arrangement with a side of bread to soak up all the delicious juices! 🍞

Ingredients

For the main dish

• 1 medium head of green cabbage, chopped
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 pound of smoked sausage (such as kielbasa), sliced into rounds
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Shredded cheese
• Hot sauce, for a kick

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage slices and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

🍳 Browning the sausage first adds depth to the flavor, but you can skip this step if you're short on time. Just add it directly to the slow cooker.

• In your slow cooker, layer the chopped cabbage, diced potatoes, onion, and garlic. Spread the cooked sausage on top.

• Sprinkle the paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper over the layers. Pour the chicken broth evenly across the top.

• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours until the vegetables are tender.

⏲️ If you find you like a bit of texture in your potatoes, check them for doneness after 2.5 hours on high or 5 hours on low.

Variations

• Vegetarian: Substitute the sausage for vegetarian sausage or add more hearty vegetables like bell peppers and carrots. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

• Spicy: Add sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat in the dish!

• Herbaceous: Toss in a bay leaf, or some fresh dill or rosemary for an extra layer of flavor.

• Creamy: Whisk in a splash of heavy cream or sour cream at the end of the cooking time for a richer sauce.

• High altitude: Increase the cooking time by an hour for both settings, as slow cookers may struggle to reach temperature at higher altitudes.

Enjoy this cozy meal with family and friends, knowing it’s packed with flavor and nutrition! 🌟