Slow Cooker Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes – Easy Smoky Dinner

This Slow Cooker Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes recipe is an easy, hearty dinner made with smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and flavorful cabbage. Everything cooks together in the slow cooker with simple seasonings for a comforting meal with very little hands-on work.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights, chilly evenings, or anytime you want a satisfying family dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s a lot to love about this simple slow cooker dinner.

• Easy prep: Most of the work is just chopping the vegetables and slicing the sausage.
• One-pot meal: The meat, potatoes, cabbage, and seasonings all cook together.
• Hearty and satisfying: Potatoes and smoked sausage make this filling enough for dinner.
• Budget-friendly: The recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
• Full of flavor: Smoked sausage and paprika add a delicious smoky flavor to the whole dish.
• Great for busy days: Add everything to the slow cooker and let it handle the cooking.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes

The ingredients are simple, but together they make a flavorful and comforting meal.

Smoked Sausage

Use fully cooked smoked sausage or kielbasa. Slice it into thick rounds so the pieces stay meaty and flavorful after slow cooking.

Pork, beef, turkey, or chicken smoked sausage can all work, so use your favorite.

Green Cabbage

Green cabbage becomes tender and absorbs the savory flavors from the sausage and broth as it cooks.

Cut the cabbage into medium-sized pieces rather than finely shredding it. It will shrink quite a bit during cooking.

Potatoes

Baby potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes work especially well because they become tender while still holding their shape.

If the potatoes are small, simply cut them in half. Larger potatoes should be quartered or chopped into similar-sized pieces.

Onion and Garlic

Fresh onion and garlic add another layer of savory flavor and help create a flavorful cooking broth.

Chicken Broth

You only need enough broth to create moisture and help the ingredients cook. The cabbage also releases liquid as it softens.

Low-sodium chicken broth is a good choice because smoked sausage can already contain quite a bit of salt.

Seasonings

Smoked paprika gives this dish an extra smoky note, while thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and a little salt round out the flavors.

How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes

One of the best things about this recipe is how little work it requires.

Start by washing and cutting the potatoes into evenly sized pieces. Chop the cabbage, dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the smoked sausage into thick rounds.

Add the potatoes, cabbage, sausage, onion, and garlic to a 6-quart slow cooker.

Pour the chicken broth over everything.

Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.

Gently stir everything together so the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.

The meal is ready when the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork and the cabbage is tender.

Give everything a gentle stir before serving and taste for seasoning. Add a little extra salt or black pepper if needed.

Tips for the Best Results

Cut the Potatoes Evenly

Try to keep the potato pieces around the same size. This helps them cook evenly so you don't end up with some pieces that are soft and others that are still firm.

Don't Worry About All That Cabbage

Your slow cooker may look very full when you first add the cabbage. That's normal. Cabbage loses a lot of volume as it cooks.

Watch the Salt

Smoked sausage and broth can both contain plenty of sodium. Start with a small amount of salt and add more after cooking if needed.

Use Fully Cooked Smoked Sausage

This recipe is designed for fully cooked smoked sausage or kielbasa. Check the package before using it.

Don't Keep Opening the Lid

Try to leave the slow cooker covered while it cooks. Opening the lid repeatedly releases heat and may increase the cooking time.

Do I Need to Brown the Sausage First?

No. You can slice fully cooked smoked sausage and add it directly to the slow cooker.

However, if you have a few extra minutes, browning the sausage in a skillet first is a nice optional step. It caramelizes the edges and gives the sausage a slightly deeper flavor.

The recipe will still taste delicious if you skip this step.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is easy to customize depending on what you have available.

Sausage: Kielbasa, beef smoked sausage, turkey sausage, or chicken smoked sausage can be used.

Potatoes: Baby potatoes, Yukon Golds, or red potatoes work well. Russet potatoes can also be used, although they tend to become softer.

Carrots: Add sliced carrots with the potatoes for extra color and sweetness.

Spicy version: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or use a spicy smoked sausage.

More herbs: Rosemary, oregano, or parsley can be added for a slightly different flavor.

Broth: Chicken broth gives the dish a savory flavor, but vegetable broth also works.

What to Serve with Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes

This slow cooker sausage and cabbage recipe is hearty enough to be served as a complete meal.

If you'd like something on the side, warm crusty bread or dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.

Cornbread also works beautifully with the smoky sausage and tender vegetables.

For something lighter, pair it with a simple green salad.

How to Store Leftovers

Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly.

Stored properly in the refrigerator, leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days.

Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm them gently in a saucepan on the stove.

If the potatoes have absorbed much of the broth, add a small splash of chicken broth before reheating.

Can You Freeze Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes?

You can freeze leftovers, although the texture of the potatoes and cabbage may be softer after thawing.

For the best texture, this dish is better enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a few days.

If freezing, place completely cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container, leaving a little room for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of sausage is best for slow cooker sausage, cabbage and potatoes?

Fully cooked smoked sausage or kielbasa works best. Pork and beef sausage give the dish a rich smoky flavor, while turkey or chicken smoked sausage are also good alternatives.

Can I put the cabbage in the slow cooker at the beginning?

Yes. Adding the cabbage at the beginning gives you very tender cabbage that absorbs plenty of flavor.

If you prefer cabbage with a firmer texture, add it later in the cooking process.

What potatoes are best for the slow cooker?

Baby potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes are excellent choices because they become creamy and tender without falling apart too easily. Red potatoes are another good option.

How do I know when the recipe is finished?

Check the potatoes. If a fork slides easily into the center of the potato pieces, the dish is ready. The cabbage should also be soft and tender.

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Absolutely. Use spicy smoked sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce.

What size slow cooker should I use?

A 6-quart slow cooker works well for this recipe and gives the cabbage enough room before it cooks down.