Tender Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls

Tender Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls bring together ground beef, pork, and rice wrapped in soft cabbage leaves, all simmered slowly in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for those who cherish a warm, hearty meal with minimal hands on cooking. The slow cooker does the magic while you go about your day, making it an ideal weeknight or weekend dinner.

I discovered this recipe on a chilly fall afternoon, and it quickly became a family favorite. The aroma of tomato and spices filling the house while the slow cooker simmers is pure comfort.

Ingredients

• Green cabbage: large, flexible leaves perfect for rolling remove the core easily by tapping it on a surface
• Cooked white or brown rice: helps keep the filling moist and balanced leftover rice works great too
• Lean ground beef: adds hearty flavor choose 93% lean for a good balance of taste and fat
• Ground pork: brings richness and juiciness to the filling can be substituted with all beef or pork if preferred
• Onion powder and garlic powder: build savory notes without extra chopping
• Salt and black pepper: essential seasonings to enhance the meat and tomato sauce
• Fresh parsley: optional but brightens the flavor and adds freshness
• Tomato soup: adds depth and a hint of sweetness to the sauce
• Crushed tomatoes: choose seasoned ones if you want extra herb flavors
• Sugar: cuts the acidity of the tomatoes can be left out or replaced with a natural sweetener

Instructions

Softer the Cabbage Leaves:

Rinse your cabbage thoroughly. Remove the core by cutting around it with a sharp knife or by banging the core side on a flat surface until it loosens. Place the cabbage core side up in a microwave safe bowl add half a cup of water cover and microwave on high for five minutes. Flip the cabbage cover again and microwave for an additional ten minutes. This steaming process softens the leaves for rolling.

Prepare the Filling:

While the cabbage cooks combine cooked rice ground beef ground pork onion powder parsley salt garlic powder and black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices and mix the meats.

Mix the Sauce:

In another bowl stir together the tomato soup crushed tomatoes and sugar until blended. This sauce will create the perfect tangy base for the rolls.

Separate Cabbage Leaves:

Carefully remove the cabbage from the microwave using oven mitts to avoid burns. On a cutting board gently peel six to eight large leaves away using a fork. Lay them on paper towels to cool and dry. Once cooled place a leaf flat and cut out the thick center stem for easier rolling this will split the leaf into two halves.

Roll the Cabbage:

Spoon about one and a half tablespoons of the meat mixture near the short end of a cabbage leaf half. Fold the short edge over the meat. Fold in the sides tightly and continue rolling to seal the filling inside. Repeat this with all leaves and filling.

Assemble in the Crock Pot:

Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Pour a cup of the tomato sauce mixture evenly across the bottom. Arrange the cabbage rolls in a single layer. If you have more rolls layer them with additional sauce in between. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top.

Slow Cook:

Cover the crockpot and cook on low for approximately six hours. The rolls are done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the cabbage is tender.

My favorite part is how the combination of beef and pork brings a rich savory depth to the rolls. One chilly Sunday my family gathered around the table eagerly waiting as the slow cooker timer wound down. The smell was intoxicating and the first bite was pure comfort food magic.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. For longer storage freeze in a suitable container for up to three months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven with a splash of sauce to keep them moist.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use all ground beef or all ground pork if preferred or to suit your family's taste. For rice alternatives quinoa or cooked barley can be used but the texture will be slightly different. Canned diced tomatoes can substitute the crushed tomatoes in a pinch.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cabbage rolls with crusty bread to soak up the sauce or alongside mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles. A fresh garden salad or steamed green beans complement the meal well.

These slow cooker cabbage rolls make a comforting make ahead meal the whole family will enjoy. Freeze extras for quick dinners and reheat with a splash of sauce to keep them moist.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What cabbage variety works best?

Green cabbage is preferred for its large, flexible leaves, though Savoy cabbage offers a more tender option.

→ Should the rice be cooked before mixing?

Yes, pre-cooked rice ensures even cooking and a tender filling without crunchiness.

→ Can the cabbage be softened without a microwave?

Boiling the whole cabbage head for about 10 minutes softens the leaves well for rolling.

→ Is it possible to prepare the rolls in advance?

Definitely. You can roll the leaves with filling a day ahead and refrigerate until cooking.

→ What sides complement these cabbage rolls?

Crusty bread, mashed or roasted potatoes, egg noodles, or a fresh side salad pair nicely.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Keep leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or freeze for 3 months.