Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: Easy Comfort Food (Print Version)
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls made easy in your slow cooker. Enjoy all the classic flavors of this hearty comfort food without the fuss of rolling. Simple and satisfying.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 360 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 385 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Eastern European
# Ingredients:
→ Hearty Core
01 -
1 and 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
02 -
1 large head green cabbage (about 2 and 1/2 lbs), cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces
03 -
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed
04 -
1 large yellow onion, chopped
05 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
→ Tangy Tomato Simmer
06 -
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
07 -
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
08 -
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
09 -
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
10 -
1 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
→ Aromatic Enhancers
11 -
2 tsp smoked paprika
12 -
1 tsp dried dill
13 -
1 bay leaf
14 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Bright Garnish
15 -
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Instructions:
01 -
Brown 1 and 1/2 lbs lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add 1 large yellow onion, chopped, and 4 cloves garlic, minced; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce, 2 cups low-sodium beef broth, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp light brown sugar. Stir in 2 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp dried dill. This forms the flavorful base for your Hearty Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls.
03 -
Place half of the cored and chopped 1 large head green cabbage into a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with the browned beef and onion mixture. Pour half of the prepared tomato sauce over the beef.
04 -
Add the remaining 1 large head green cabbage over the beef layer. Pour the rest of the tomato sauce evenly over the cabbage. Tuck in 1 bay leaf. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
05 -
After the initial cooking time, stir in 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed, into the slow cooker. Ensure the rice is submerged in the liquid. Continue cooking on LOW for another 1-2 hours, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid, creating the perfect Hearty Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls.
06 -
Once the rice is cooked, remove the bay leaf. Let the Hearty Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish generously with 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped.
# Notes:
01 -
For a richer flavor, you can lightly brown the chopped cabbage in the skillet after the beef, before adding it to the slow cooker.
02 -
Store leftover unstuffed cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
03 -
Feel free to substitute ground turkey or a plant-based ground for the beef. You can also use brown rice, but it may require slightly longer cooking time and a bit more broth.
04 -
Serve this hearty dish with a dollop of sour cream or a side of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
6-quart slow cooker
02 -
large skillet
03 -
cutting board
04 -
sharp knife
05 -
measuring cups
06 -
measuring spoons
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 302 kcal
Total Fat: 8 g
Total Carbohydrate: 38 g
Protein: 21 g