This simple recipe transforms an ordinary head of cabbage into a flavorful, tender dish that works as either a hearty side or a complete meal.
You can slow cook it, braise it, or simmer it on the stove to achieve the perfect texture and flavor.
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I'm excited to share this delicious southern smothered cabbage recipe that combines crispy bacon, spicy andouille sausage, and a perfectly seasoned cabbage that cooks down to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
I had no idea what to expect when I first started testing the recipe, but it really is amazingly delicious and so customizable.
I used the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro for this recipe, but any slow cooker will work just fine. You can also use the Ninja Speedi, Ninja Combi, Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker & Air Crisper.
Suggested Kitchen Tools for Smothered Cabbage
- Ninja Possible Cooker Pro (or any slow cooker or dutch oven)
- Sharp knife for chopping cabbage and onions
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons for spices
- Skillet for crisping bacon (optional)
Ingredients & Substitutions
Cabbage
- Used in this Recipe: One large head of green cabbage, cored and cut into bite-sized chunks
- What it does in this recipe: Serves as the star ingredient that absorbs all the flavors while cooking down to tender perfection
- Substitutions: Any type of cabbage can work, though green cabbage is traditional
Andouille Sausage
- Used in this Recipe: Raw andouille sausage, sliced into coins with casing left on
- What it does in this recipe: Adds spicy flavor and hearty texture throughout the dish
- Substitutions: Smoked sausage, beef sausage, or even pork chops cut into pieces. You can use either raw or fully cooked sausage in this recipe. You can also omit the sausage and bacon for a vegetarian dish.
Bacon
- Used in this Recipe: Thick-cut applewood smoked bacon
- What it does in this recipe: Some bacon cooks with the cabbage for flavor, while some is crisped separately as a topping
- Substitutions: Any bacon variety works, or you could use ham hock for a smoky flavor
Onion
- Used in this Recipe: Large sweet onion, roughly chopped
- What it does in this recipe: Adds depth of flavors and sweetness
- Substitutions: Yellow onions, white onions, or even red onions
Seasonings
- Used in this Recipe: A homemade blend of spices that have a Cajun influence.
- What it does in this recipe: Creates a Cajun-inspired flavor profile with just the right amount of spiciness
- Substitutions: Pre-mixed Cajun seasonings or Creole seasoning can be used instead. You can also switch the seasoning blend to just about anything to create your own version of smothered cabbage!
Liquid
- Used in this Recipe: ½ cup apple juice
- What it does in this recipe: Adds sweetness to balance the spice and helps create the smothering liquid
- Substitutions: Chicken broth, chicken stock, water, or even a little bit of lemon juice. You can use apple cider vinegar if you want a vinegary smothered cabbage, but I would only use about ¼ cup and use ¼ cup water to make up the ½ cup total.
Butter
- Used in this Recipe: ½ cup butter added at the end. I used salted, but you can use unsalted if desired.
- What it does in this recipe: Enriches the dish and tames the spiciness
- Substitutions: Olive oil or bacon grease can be used for a different flavor profile or you can reduce or omit the butter.
How to Make Smothered Cabbage in the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro
Prep for Smothered Cabbage
- Slice the andouille sausage into coins, keeping the casing on for a nice snap.
- Core and cut a large head of cabbage and cut into smaller pieces. The smaller the pieces, the quicker it will cook. I like to keep my cabbage chunks into about 4-6" chunks.
- Roughly chop a large sweet onion.
- Cook the remaining slices of bacon until they are crispy and set aside for later. You can add the bacon fat to the pot if desired. You can also cook the bacon while the cabbage is cooking and add the bacon fat at the end in place of the butter or in addition to it.
- Sauté the Bacon and Sausage:
- Set the cooker to Sear/Sauté on high heat.
- Place 2 slices of thick-cut bacon in the pot (these will be for flavor).
- Once bacon begins to render fat, add the sausage and brown on all sides.
- Add the cut cabbage, seasonings, and apple juice or whatever liquid you want to use.
- Resist the urge to add more liquid; the cabbage will give off plenty of liquid as it cooks.
- Slow cook/Braise to perfection:
- Put the cover on the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro.
- Switch the cooker to the Braise function (or High Slow Cook).
- Set for 2 hours and if you are able to, stir about 30-45 minutes into the cooking process.
- The cabbage is done when it reaches your preferred tenderness (about 1 hour for firmer cabbage, 2 hours for very tender).
Quick Tip
If you want to add potatoes to the smothered cabbage, add them when there is one hour left of the cooking time. If the potatoes are cut small, they will cook faster than if they are whole or cut in larger chunks.
- Finishing Touches
- Add ½ cup of butter and stir until melted.
- If desired, crumble the crispy bacon on top just before serving.
Serve and Enjoy!
Quick Tip
Meal Prep: Smothered cabbage actually tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to develop!
Other Cooking Methods for Smothered Cabbage
You can make this recipe so many different ways, including pressure cooking, braising on the stove, braising in the oven, braising in the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker (those instructions are detailed about), slow cooking. The ingredients will remain the same, but the cooking temperatures and times will need to be adjusted.
Here are my suggestions.
Slow Cooking: Slow cook on high for about 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
Stovetop: Simmer on the stove for 1-2 hours depending on how soft you like your cabbage.
Pressure cooking: Pressure cook for 3-5 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.
Oven Braising: Place the ingredients into a covered casserole dish or dutch oven. Bake at 350℉/175℃ for 3-4 hours and make sure it is covered the entire time. Once the cabbage is soft enough, it is done.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
How to Store Leftover Smothered Cabbage
- Refrigeration: Store leftover smothered cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Make sure the cabbage has cooled completely before freezing so you don't develop ice crystals.
Quick Tip
Reheating: Warm in a covered pot over medium-low heat, adding a little bit of liquid if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While the recipe uses a Ninja Possible Cooker Pro, you can easily adapt it to a large dutch oven or heavy bottom pot.
Start by browning the meats over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat, cover, and simmer for about 1-2 hours, checking occasionally and stirring.
Yes, you can double or half the recipe by adjusting the ingredients up or down.
The recipe as written has a moderate kick from the andouille sausage and cayenne pepper. To make a milder version, omit the cayenne pepper entirely and substitute the andouille sausage with a milder smoked sausage. The butter added at the end also helps tame the spiciness.
What to serve with Smothered Cabbage
Smothered Cabbage can be served as a side dish or a one-pot meal if you add in some potatoes. Or, you can serve it with a few side dishes and meat of your choice.
Here are a few recipes that will be perfect with smothered cabbage.
Smothered Cabbage Recipe
Equipment
- Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro or any Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Seasoning Blend
- 1 teaspoon fine grind sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
For the Smothered Cabbage
- ½ pound bacon thick-cut or regular
- 1 pound andouille sausage raw or cooked
- 1 large head green cabbage about 8 cuts cut into large chunks
- 1 large sweet onion
- ½ cup apple juice or water
- ½ cup butter salted or unsalted
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Instructions
Prep for recipe
- Mix up the seasoning blend. If you are unsure about how spicy you want your cabbage, leave the cayenne pepper out and add it to taste at the end.1 teaspoon fine grind sea salt or kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme leaves, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Reserve 2 slices of the bacon to cook with the cabbage and cook the remaining slices to use as a garnish at the end. Slice the sausage into ½" coins. Cut the cabbage and remove the core. Cut into 4-6" chunks.Cut the onion into large chunks.½ pound bacon, 1 pound andouille sausage, 1 large head green cabbage, 1 large sweet onion
Making the Smothered Cabbage
- Turn the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro on high sear/sauté and add the 2 strips of uncooked bacon. Once it starts to cook and render its fat, add the sliced sausage and brown it. This will take about 5-10 minutes.
- Add the cabbage, onion, spice blend, and apple juice. Cover and set the Possible Cooker to the braise function and set the time for 2 hours. Check the cabbage and stir after one hour and continue to cook until it is the texture you like. I found 2 hours to be perfect.½ cup apple juice
Finishing Touches
- Add the butter and stir until the butter has melted. Dish onto plates. Top with crispy crumbled bacon if desired. Enjoy!½ cup butter
Notes
Nutrition
About the Recipe Author, Louise Long
Louise is a full-time recipe creator and food blogger @ The Salted Pepper. She has over 30 years of experience with cooking and recipe development. She owned a restaurant for several years and was a full-time RN until retiring to blog full-time.
She published her first cookbook in the Fall of 2018 and is very interested in writing several more.
Louise is also the creator of an online Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooking Course with over 100 instructional step-by-step videos. People absolutely rave about the course and all the value they have received from it.
Louise has several very active Facebook groups that help people with the basics of cooking and learning more about the appliances they love.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker & Air Crisper 101
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker
Louise is also a YouTube creator and you can find most of her recipes in video format on The Salted Pepper YouTube channel.
She is very responsive to messages and eager to help in any way she can. Get more Information about Louise & contact information
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