Slow Cooker Cabbage & Ground Beef Stew

A cozy, hearty, budget-friendly meal made with tender cabbage, savory ground beef, tomatoes, and simple seasonings. Everything slowly simmers together until the cabbage is soft and flavorful and the beef is wonderfully tender. It’s perfect for a comforting family dinner on a chilly evening—and the leftovers taste even better the next day!

🛒 Ingredients

• 1½ lb (680 g) lean ground beef
• 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1–2 tsp sugar, optional, to balance the tomatoes
• Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Brown the beef
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.

2. Add the aromatics
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, until the onion begins to soften.

3. Prepare the slow cooker
Place the chopped cabbage, carrots, and potatoes into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the browned beef and onion mixture.

4. Add the tomato mixture
Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Add the bay leaf.

5. Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage and potatoes are tender.

6. Final seasoning
Taste the stew and adjust the salt and pepper. If the tomatoes taste particularly acidic, stir in a small amount of sugar.

7. Serve
Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the hot stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread, cornbread, or simply enjoy it on its own.

⭐ Pro Tips

• For a richer flavor, use a mixture of ground beef and Italian sausage.
• Don’t worry if the cabbage looks like a lot at first—it shrinks considerably as it cooks.
• Add extra broth if you prefer a soupier consistency.
• For a lower-carb version, skip the potatoes and add extra cabbage or zucchini.
• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3–4 days in an airtight container.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve this hearty stew with warm crusty bread and a simple green salad. A spoonful of sour cream on top is also delicious!