Hearty crockpot cabbage rolls are the kind of satisfying dinner we all crave on cold winter days! With a rice-and-meat filling and flavorful tomato sauce, this recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
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Pin RecipeCold winter days call for seriously satisfying recipes. We love chicken and noodles when the weather gets chilly, and creamy potato soup is always a winner too. But if you’re looking for something a little more rustic, you can’t beat these crockpot cabbage rolls.
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food made with ground beef and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves, then slow cooked to perfection. They may be one of the most versatile dishes out there—you can make them as simple or complex as you’d like. (Don’t worry, my recipe is super easy!)
Easy Crockpot Cabbage Roll Recipe
Cabbage rolls are one of those recipes that sounds a little meh on paper, but once you’ve had them, you know what the fuss is about. They’re savory, but a tiny bit sweet from the cabbage and sauce, super filling, and oh-so-flavorful. And because they’re made in a crockpot, you don’t have to worry about them getting dry or overcooked!
Cooking cabbage rolls in a crockpot is also a great way to enjoy them without spending all afternoon in the kitchen. You can prepare everything ahead of time and let the slow cooker do its magic, so you have more time to relax. (Or fold laundry. Because let’s be real, we’re probably going to be folding laundry.)
Ingredients
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Cabbage leaves – You’ll want a nice, large cabbage; you’ll have leftovers, which you can use to make coleslaw or soup!
- Nonstick cooking spray
For the Filling:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork sausage – Using pork sausage in the filling adds a lot of flavor, without a lot of work!
- Onion – Yellow or white both work.
- Bell pepper
- Egg – Here’s the best way to crack an egg!
- Milk
- Cooked rice – Plan a stir fry the night before and make extra rice for this recipe, or use our Instant Pot white rice.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt
For the Sauce:
- Tomato sauce
- Brown sugar – Light brown sugar is best here.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Fresh parsley
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Variations
- Make a spicier filling by adding red pepper flakes or hot paprika to taste.
- For a meatless recipe, substitute cooked lentils for the ground beef and sausage, or use a combination of plant-based ground beef and Italian sausage.
- You can use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter dish.
- Swap in cooked brown rice for healthier crockpot cabbage rolls.
- Add a few crushed garlic cloves to the filling if you love garlicky flavor.
How to Make Crockpot Cabbage Rolls
- Cook the cabbage: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they’re softened. Drain well.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together all of the filling ingredients until combined.
- Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients.
- Roll the leaves: Lay a cabbage leaf on a clean work surface. Spoon about ¼ cup of filling along one edge. Roll up the leaf, tucking in the sides as you go like a burrito. Repeat with the rest of the leaves and filling.
- Assemble: Coat the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick spray, then arrange the rolls along the bottom with the seam side down. (If you need to stack a few of the rolls, that’s okay.) Pour the sauce over the rolls, spreading it as evenly as possible.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
Quick Tip
If there’s still water clinging to the cabbage when you’re ready to assemble the rolls, pat them dry to keep the filling from getting watered down and make it easier to roll up the leaves.
How to Store Leftover Crockpot Cabbage Rolls
Any leftover cabbage rolls should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months—just thaw them overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot cabbage rolls are delicious as-is, but there are plenty of ways to make them an even heartier dinner. Serve them with a side of mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes for a comforting meal. Or try topping your cabbage rolls with sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled feta, or crispy crumbled bacon for some extra flavor.
FAQs
The best way to prep cabbage for cabbage rolls is to blanch the leaves in boiling water. This will soften them so they’re easier to roll and it also helps prevent them from being too tough when cooked.
If you don’t blanch the cabbage leaves before assembling, the cabbage can be tough—especially the thicker stem part in the middle. That’s why it’s a good idea to take the time to blanch the leaves first!
Cabbage rolls are a popular dish in Eastern European countries, particularly Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and Romania.
The best type of cabbage for cabbage rolls is green cabbage, as it has a mild flavor and will hold up better during cooking. Savoy cabbage can also be used if desired, but it’s more likely to tear.
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Crockpot Cabbage Rolls
Ingredients
- 12 – 14 large cabbage leaves
- Nonstick cooking spray
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork sausage
- ½ cup onion minced
- ½ cup bell pepper minced
- 1 egg beaten
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup rice cooked
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Sauce
- 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves and blanch for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the filling ingredients until well combined. This is done easiest with your hands.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients.
- To assemble, lay out each cabbage leaf, spoon about ¼ cup of filling along one edge. Roll up each leaf, tucking the sides in as you go to completely enclose the filling.
- Coat the inside of a slow cooker with the nonstick spray, then arrange the rolls along the bottom, seam side down. It may be necessary to stack a few on top of each other.
- Pour the sauce over the rolls, spreading it out as evenly as possible.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
