Description
A comforting and flavorful slow cooker recipe featuring a whole cabbage cooked until tender, infused with a zesty garlic lemon butter sauce and topped with savory Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make dish is perfect as a hearty side or a light main course, offering a delicious twist on traditional cabbage recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium whole cabbage
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage: Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage. Trim the stem slightly so that the cabbage can sit flat in the slow cooker, but be sure to keep the core intact to hold the cabbage together during cooking.
- Make the garlic lemon butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute, or until fragrant. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful sauce.
- Set up the slow cooker: Place the whole cabbage into the slow cooker. Pour the vegetable broth around the base of the cabbage to provide moisture for slow cooking. Drizzle the prepared garlic-lemon butter mixture evenly over the top of the cabbage, allowing the flavors to seep in.
- Add cheese and cook: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the cabbage. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Serve: Carefully remove the cooked cabbage from the slow cooker and slice it into wedges. Drizzle the cabbage with the flavorful juices left in the slow cooker for extra moisture and taste.
- Garnish and enjoy: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the cabbage wedges for a fresh and colorful finishing touch. Serve warm as a delightful side or light main dish.
Notes
- For an added depth of flavor, you can sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top right before serving.
- If you prefer a spicier note, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture.
- Make sure not to overcook the cabbage to prevent it from becoming mushy; check for tenderness at the 4-hour mark.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats or as a vegetarian main when served with crusty bread or grains.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain tenderness.
