Crockpot Ham and Cabbage

Sharing is caring!

Crockpot Ham and Cabbage is an easy slow cooker recipe with diced ham and fresh cabbage that makes the perfect comfort food any time of year.

Ham and Cabbage in a Crock Pot

This is an easy slow cooker cabbage recipes you can literally throw together in the crockpot and walk away.

I admit that we don’t eat cabbage on a regular basis. I guess we tend to think of it as something you should have when you eat corned beef for St. Paddy’s day.

But I love how tender and flavorful this slow cooker cabbage recipe is and it really is perfect any time of the year.

The cooked cabbage is slightly sweet, making it pair so nicely with the saltiness of the ham.

Crockpot ham and cabbage ingredients

• Cooked chopped ham: Use leftover ham in this recipe or you can purchase chopped cooked ham from your grocer.
• Olive oil: Substitute vegetable or canola oil for browning the ham.
• Small head of green cabbage: Check my photos below to see an easy way to slice the head of cabbage.
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth: I used chicken broth, but use vegetable broth is that’s what you have on hand; either one works perfectly. You could even use water, but the cabbage won’t be nearly as flavorful.
• Butter: I cook with unsalted butter but you can use what’s on hand. If you opt for salted butter, you may not need to add any salt and pepper. Do a taste test first!
• Optional: If you want to add a bit of heat to this cabbage and ham recipe, add 1/2 tsp. of red pepper flakes or some spicy creole seasoning in place of the salt and pepper.

How to cook ham and cabbage in a crock pot

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is nicely hot, add the chopped ham.

Cook the ham just until browned and caramelized; remove the skillet from the heat.

Cut the head of cabbage in half, then trim the stem away from each half; slice each half into 1/2-inch ribbons.

Place the sliced cabbage across the bottom of a preheated. greased 6-quart slow cooker; top with the browned ham cubes.

Pour the broth over all the ingredients in the slow cooker, top with the chunks of butter; sprinkle the salt and pepper.

Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours or until cabbage is tender. Serve at once.

This cabbage dish would also be delicious with some crispy bacon on top.

Can you overcook slow cooked ham?

Yes, slow cook ham just until it is fully reheated, which is about 135-140 degrees F. at the center.

Overcooking ham causes it to become dry and tasteless.

Does ham get more tender the longer you cook it?

Because cured hams are fully cooked when purchased, they only need to be reheated to 135-140 degrees F. at the center to be hot and ready to serve.

If you cook the ham longer than is needed to reheat it, it only dries out the ham, making it tough and chewy, not more tender.

Can you freeze ham and cabbage?

No, cabbage has a high moisture content so it tends to turn to mush once it’s frozen and then thawed.

Ham will freeze just fine, but cabbage just doesn’t, unfortunately.

Doubling the ham in Crockpot Ham and Cabbage

If you’ve got meat-eaters in your fam like I do, I like to double the amount of ham to 2 lbs.

Especiallly when I have a lot of vegetables to use up.

Can I add other vegetables?

Sometimes I add potatoes to this dish! I like to use small red potatoes (skins on) that are cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks.

I like to press them down into the cabbage before I add the broth and the butter.

You could also customize this cabbage recipe even further by adding carrots, celery, garlic, and onions.

The celery, garlic and onions would add more flavor since they are aromatics, and the carrots would add beautiful color.

What to serve with crock pot ham and cabbage

We eat crock pot ham and cabbage as a main dish, but it would certainly be delicious served as a side dish alongside any meat dish. Pork ribeye roast is oven baked in a tangy sauce and would be delicious with cabbage on the side.

Instant Pot chuck roast with potatoes and baby carrots would also be yummy with a side of cabbage and ham made in the slow cooker.

We have found that we like cornbread served with cabbage and ham. One of our favorites is sausage green chili cornbread….so moist and dense.

More favorite crock pot recipes

Mississippi crockpot chicken is slow-cooked in the crock pot, has just five simple ingredients, and makes flavorful, tender chicken you can eat as a main dish or save for meal prep.

If you want perfect whipped potatoes, make a big batch of creamy, fluffy million dollar mashed potatoes in your slow cooker. You and your family will love this simple (yet luscious!) potato side dish.

If you’re in search of a creamy, luscious twist on spaghetti pasta, crockpot chicken spaghetti is an easy and delicious slow cooker meal that you’ll be making again and again.