Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Whole Cabbage with Lemon Butter is a comforting and flavorful vegetarian dish that transforms a whole cabbage into a tender, cheesy delight infused with garlic and bright lemon notes. Perfect as a side or light main, it’s an easy, hands-off recipe ideal for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium whole cabbage
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Dairy
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup vegetable broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Remove damaged outer leaves from the cabbage and trim the stem slightly so it sits flat, while keeping the core intact to hold the cabbage together during cooking.
- Make Garlic-Lemon Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, blending the flavors well.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the whole cabbage into the slow cooker. Pour the vegetable broth around the base of the cabbage to keep it moist during cooking. Drizzle the prepared garlic-lemon butter mixture evenly over the cabbage to coat it thoroughly.
- Add Cheese and Cook: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the cabbage. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until the cabbage is fork-tender and infused with all the flavors.
- Serve: Carefully remove the whole cabbage from the slow cooker. Slice it into wedges and drizzle with the flavorful cooking juices remaining in the slow cooker.
- Garnish and Present: Garnish the cabbage wedges with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm for a delicious, hearty side or main dish.
Notes
- To save prep time, you can prepare the garlic-lemon butter mixture a day ahead and refrigerate.
- If you prefer a more intense garlic flavor, add an extra clove of garlic when sautéing.
- For a non-vegetarian variation, substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth.
- Slow cooker temperatures can vary; check tenderness slightly earlier if your cooker runs hot.
- This dish can be reheated gently in the slow cooker or on the stovetop with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
