Cabbage and Kielbasa

A simple crock-pot recipe to warm your tummy on cold nights.

This recipe is one that I have made many times. I have adapted it from the Slow Cooker Cabbage and Onions recipe on http://www.sugarfreemom.com and am thankful to have enjoyed it all these times. She has wonderful recipes on her site and I strongly encourage you to check her out.

While I do not strive to follow a keto diet, I have found that many keto recipes are amazing and also work well with the gluten-free diet that we must follow. Please do not ever let a category such as “keto” or “gluten-free” interfere with you trying a new recipe because you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Notes

This recipe really is a super simple one, but what it lacks in difficulty, it makes up for in flavor and versatility. It seems like a massive amount when you start it, but the cabbage cooks down to about half the volume. It makes about 8 servings and is great served with a side of buttered bread to sop up the little bit of broth.

Depending on your needs and preferences, you can make a plethora of changes to this meal. For example, we do not eat pork, so I always use turkey or beef kielbasa instead.

Kielbasa has a lot of sodium usually, as does bouillon, so I do not add extra salt. This is a common theme in my cooking. I would much rather have every person at the table be able to add salt to their personal preference.

I also prefer fresh vegetables over pre-made blends, which is why, I always use freshly chopped cabbage. However, the original post did mention that you can use a pre-made coleslaw blend in place of the cabbage.

Please note that it IS a bit spicy. Our family is very big on spice and it is on the more mild side of our preferences. However, if you are very sensitive to spiciness, please feel free to cut back on the red pepper flakes a bit.

Whatever works for you. That is the point of cooking. Make something to share and enjoy. And I hope that you do enjoy this recipe as much as we do. I look forward to hearing from you with any questions or comments that you may have.

Ingredients

• 1 to 1 1/2 c water or broth of your choice
• 1 bouillon cube or 1 tsp “Better Than Bouillon” (if using water rather than broth)
• 1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (or a little less if you prefer)
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 1 head of cabbage, chopped (usually makes about 16 cups for me)
• 1 onion, finely minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed.
• 2 packages turkey or beef kielbasa (or similar product of your choice), sliced

Directions

1. Combine water (or broth), bouillon (if needed), red pepper flakes, and cumin in a small bowl or measuring cup.
2. Toss together cabbage, onion, garlic, and kielbasa in large crockpot.
3. Pour the liquid and seasoning blend over the top.
4. Cover and cook on high for about 6 hours or low for 8 hours. (I usually stir about halfway through cooking, but that is completely optional and usually just so I can steal a nibble.)