5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cabbage, Potatoes, and Ham turns five straightforward ingredients into a comforting one-pot dinner. The slow cooker gently softens the cabbage and potatoes while the ham gives the broth a rich, savory flavor.
A Simple Five-Ingredient Slow Cooker Dinner
This recipe keeps the ingredient list intentionally short. Choose a fully cooked ham that you enjoy eating on its own, because it seasons the vegetables as everything cooks together. A low-sodium chicken broth is helpful if the ham is particularly salty.
Ingredients
For the Slow Cooker
- 1 medium green cabbage, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 1/2 pounds fully cooked ham, cubed
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
Ingredient Details That Matter
Use green cabbage, not finely shredded cabbage, so the pieces remain substantial after the long cook. Cut the baby potatoes into similarly sized pieces so they become tender at the same time. Because fully cooked ham and chicken broth both carry salt, taste the finished dish before considering any additional seasoning.
Equipment
- 5- to 6-quart slow cooker
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring jug
- Large spoon or ladle
Instructions
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Place the baby potatoes halved or quartered in an even layer in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the yellow onion sliced and half of the medium green cabbage over the potatoes.
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Scatter the fully cooked ham evenly over the vegetables, then add the remaining medium green cabbage. Pour the chicken broth around the edges so it reaches the potatoes without overflowing the cooker.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the baby potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, the cabbage is soft, and the ham is steaming hot, about 165 F (74 C).
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Stir gently, breaking up any very large cabbage pieces. Taste the broth before serving because the fully cooked ham may provide all the seasoning needed. Ladle the cabbage, potatoes, ham, onion, and chicken broth into bowls while hot.
Helpful Tips
- Keep potato pieces about the same size for even cooking.
- Do not overfill the slow cooker; the cabbage will shrink as it cooks.
- Use a fully cooked ham rather than raw pork so the cooking time is matched to the tender vegetables.
Troubleshooting
If the potatoes are still firm, keep cooking in 20-minute intervals on HIGH or 30-minute intervals on LOW until fork-tender. If the finished broth tastes salty, serve the solid ingredients with less broth or dilute individual portions with a little hot water. Do not add more salt before tasting.
Serving Ideas
Spoon the tender vegetables and ham into shallow bowls with some broth. Serve as is for a hearty meal, or pair it with crusty bread to soak up the savory liquid.
Timing and Yield
Allow about 15 minutes to cut and load the ingredients. Cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours for the most tender cabbage, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours when you need dinner sooner. The recipe serves about 6.
Simple Variations
- Use a smoked fully cooked ham for a stronger flavor.
- Quarter very small baby potatoes and cut larger ones into sixths so all pieces cook evenly.
- For a brothier bowl, serve each portion with an extra ladle of cooking liquid.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in shallow airtight containers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days. Freeze cooled portions with broth for up to 2 months; the cabbage will be softer after thawing.
Reheating
Warm refrigerated portions gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming hot. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before reheating when possible.
Allergen Notes
Check the labels on the fully cooked ham and chicken broth for ingredients relevant to your household. This recipe contains pork and may contain celery, soy, or other allergens depending on packaged broth and ham.
FAQ
Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Yes. Cut waxy yellow or red potatoes into roughly 1 1/2-inch pieces so they cook through in the same time.
Should I add salt before cooking?
No. Fully cooked ham and chicken broth can both be salty, so taste the completed dish first.
Can I use raw ham?
Use fully cooked ham for the listed method and timing. Raw pork requires a separately tested recipe and safe-doneness approach.
Conclusion
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cabbage, Potatoes, and Ham is an easy way to make a warm, satisfying dinner with a short grocery list. Let the cooker do the work, then serve the tender vegetables and ham straight from the pot.
Print
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cabbage, Potatoes, and Ham
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
Description
A simple slow-cooker dinner of cabbage, baby potatoes, cooked ham, onion, and chicken broth.
Ingredients
- 1 medium green cabbage, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 1/2 pounds fully cooked ham, cubed
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
Instructions
Step 1 Place the baby potatoes halved or quartered in an even layer in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the yellow onion sliced and half of the medium green cabbage over the potatoes.
Step 2 Scatter the fully cooked ham evenly over the vegetables, then add the remaining medium green cabbage. Pour the chicken broth around the edges so it reaches the potatoes without overflowing the cooker.
Step 3 Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the baby potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, the cabbage is soft, and the ham is steaming hot, about 165 F (74 C).
Step 4 Stir gently, breaking up any very large cabbage pieces. Taste the broth before serving because the fully cooked ham may provide all the seasoning needed. Ladle the cabbage, potatoes, ham, onion, and chicken broth into bowls while hot.
Notes
Use fully cooked ham and taste before adding any salt, since both the ham and broth can be seasoned. Refrigerate leftovers in shallow airtight containers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days. Freeze cooled portions with broth for up to 2 months; the cabbage will be softer after thawing.
