Crockpot Kale or Cabbage

A simple way to make really good greens

Slow cookerPhoto byVladyslav BaharaonUnsplash

I discovered a super simple way to make tasty, hearty green veggies one day after work without a lot of prep. It’s simple — cook your freshly washed and cut kale, cabbage, or even collard greens in a crockpot. I know I’m not the first person to discover this trick, but it’s a game-changer for me.

The key for me is to pre-heat the crockpot on high and add oil and your aromatic veggies like onions, and garlic. Then, add your greens in two layers lightly seasoning in between. Finally, add a little water or broth and let them slowly cook down.

Now I don’t normally add meat, but there are plenty of recipes that use butter and bacon if you prefer. My Gam use to add ham to her cabbage and smoked meat to her greens. I actually prefer my greens clean unless it’s a holiday.

As I’ve said before, although I’ve taught cooking lessons, I’m not a professional chef or recipe tester. Click the link for the original recipe and YouTube tutorial from Making Cooking Simple Again! Here is the modified recipe:

*Please note that I use a Crockpot, but this recipe can be used with an Instapot or electric slow cooker.

Ingredients

1 Head of Cabbage (See the Video) or Bag of Washed and Chopped Kale or Collard Greens

10 Slices of Bacon (Optional)

½ a large sweet onion diced or sliced to your liking

2 crushed and chopped garlic cloves

1 3/4 Cup Chicken or Veggie broth

1 TSP Pink Himalaya Sea Salt Garlic Pepper Blend

3 Tbsp. melted butter, Earth Balance or olive oil

Directions

Preheat the crockpot on high for 5–10 minutes, then add oil

Wash and rinse cabbage, cut cabbage in half, and remove the core

Cutdown cabbage and rinse clean over cold water (I even wash my prewashed greens)

Cut bacon into 1” or so pieces and Cook Bacon until crisp and remove from pot.

Add cabbage to the crockpot in two layers and lightly season between

Add chicken broth

Top with cooked bacon (optional)

Cover crockpot and cook on high for 30 minutes, mix and then continue to cook on low

After the 1st hour, mix cabbage or greens and continue to cook to your desired tenderness.

Taste and add more seasoning if needed. (For collard greens only — I add a capful of apple cider vinegar at the end and mix again).

I hope you enjoy it and thank you for reading.

Originally published on Medium.com