There is something inherently healing about a bowl of soup when the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter. This Slow Cooker Sausage and Cabbage Soup is exactly the kind of meal that wraps you in a warm hug after a long day. It features hearty turkey or beef-based Italian sausage, tender ribbons of cabbage, and a savory broth that develops deep, complex flavors while you go about your day. It is the ultimate comfort food that feels wholesome, nourishing, and deeply satisfying for the entire family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is incredibly easy to make with minimal hands-on time.
- This recipe is budget-friendly, utilizing pantry staples and affordable fresh produce.
- It serves as the perfect wholesome weeknight dinner that everyone will ask for again.
- The leftovers actually taste even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prep.
- It is highly customizable, allowing you to easily adjust the vegetables to what you have on hand.
Recipe Quick Facts
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 6-8 hours |
| Total Time | 6-8 hours |
| Servings | 6 servings |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Ingredients
To create this soul-warming soup, you will need high-quality ingredients that build layers of flavor.
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1.5 lbs ground Italian sausage (ensure it is a non-pork alternative)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Sea salt, to taste
- 6 cups green cabbage, sliced
How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage and Cabbage Soup
Follow these simple steps to ensure your soup turns out perfectly every single time.
- Heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer the raw Italian sausage and minced garlic to the skillet and use a spatula to break it up into small chunks. Brown the sausage for a few minutes until the outside is slightly golden-brown. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked just yet.
- Transfer the sausage mixture to the bottom of your crock pot. Add in the chopped carrots, bell pepper, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, all of the seasonings, and about a third of the chopped cabbage. Give everything a big stir. Add in the remaining chopped cabbage and if you’re able to stir it into the soup mixture, great. If not, it’s perfectly fine to leave it hanging out on top as it will begin to cook down as the soup cooks.
- Secure the lid of the crock pot and cook on High heat for 4-5 hours or Low heat for 6-8 hours. If you’re able to stir the soup after about an hour of cooking to get the cabbage to mix in, great!
- Serve your steaming hot soup in big bowls with crusty bread like garlic bread or cornbread.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
For the best texture, make sure you don’t over-process your vegetables. You want the carrots to have a slight bite and the cabbage to remain tender but not mushy. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash a few of the cooked carrots against the side of the slow cooker to release their natural starches into the broth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup is a dream for meal preppers. You can cook it completely and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors actually intensify as they sit.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Absolutely. This soup freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to three months.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free provided you check that your sausage and chicken broth do not contain any hidden wheat-based fillers or additives.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the aroma of a slow-cooked meal filling your home throughout the day. This Slow Cooker Sausage and Cabbage Soup is more than just a recipe; it is an invitation to slow down and enjoy a nourishing meal with the people you love. Please share your photos on Pinterest and let us know in the comments how your batch turned out. We love seeing your kitchen creations!
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Slow Cooker Sausage and Cabbage Soup
- Total Time: 495
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: High Protein
Description
This comforting and wholesome soup features savory turkey or beef-based Italian sausage, tender ribbons of fresh green cabbage, and a robust tomato-based broth. Perfectly suited for chilly days, this slow-cooked meal develops deep, complex flavors with minimal effort. It is a budget-friendly, family-favorite dish that is as nourishing as it is satisfying, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners or convenient meal prep.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp avocado oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1.5 lbs ground Italian turkey or beef sausage
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large carrots, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp black pepper
Sea salt, to taste
6 cups green cabbage, sliced
Instructions
Heat the avocado oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the onion until softened.
Add the sausage and minced garlic to the skillet, breaking the meat into small chunks and browning slightly.
Transfer the sausage mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the carrots, bell pepper, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, paprika, parsley, pepper, and salt.
Stir in one-third of the cabbage, then top with the remaining cabbage.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
Notes
Ensure you use a certified non-pork Italian sausage (turkey or beef). Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 480
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American