Slow cooker cabbage rolls are moister and more flavorful than ones baked in the oven. Stuff cabbage leaves with beef and rice and simmer in a tomato sauce all day long, this comfort food makes enough to feed families.
Cabbage rolls, or stuffed cabbage, are a super filling dinner that definitely counts as comfort food. Cabbage leaves are stuffed with a ground meat and rice mixture and then simmered in a tomato sauce. The result is delicious!
This is not exactly a quick recipe, but the end result was well worth the time and effort. Plus you can make extra to freeze for later. One of the benefits to cooking cabbage rolls in a slow cooked will be moister and more flavorful rolls than ones baked in the oven.
Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce
First, you need to steam the cabbage. This helps the leaves soften so you can roll them without breaking.When steaming the cabbage, you will see a point where the cabbage turns a bright green. The leaves are ready to peel off then. Peel off about 2-3 leaves and then put the head back in to soften up the head more.
You will most likely have leftover cabbage. Don’t throw it away! One of our readers left a great idea in the comments:
“Cut it into shreds with a sharp knife and line the bottom of the crock pot before putting in the rolls. It will simmer away in the sauce and is absolutely delish. You can also omit the brown sugar and added a small can of sauerkraut, drained. Toss with the shredded cabbage, It adds a nice zip to the recipe.”
Once the cabbage is steamed and soft, set the leaves aside.
Next, you will prepare the cabbage roll stuffing using ground meat and rice. Ground beef is a traditional meat to use in cabbage rolls, but turkey would work as well.
You will want to use converted rice for the cabbage roll filling. Converted rice takes longer to cook so it doesn’t turn to mush in the cabbage rolls. Uncle Ben’s Original Rice is converted rice and is easy to find in most grocery stores. The rice is par cooked, which means you cook it just a little bit to get it started cooking, but don’t cook it all the way to doneness.
Mix up all the ingredients for the filling in a large bowl and get ready to make some cabbage rolls.
To make the cabbage rolls, put about 1/3 cup of the meat mixture at the top a cabbage leaf. You may vary the amount stuffing depending on the size of the cabbage leaf.
The cabbage should be easy to roll up but be careful not to rip it (too much). Keep rolling to the end of the cabbage leaf. When you reach the end, tuck in the ends. You may want to cut off the thick rib from the leaves. It will leave a little split at the end. Just tuck it all in. Repeat this process for each cabbage leaf.
Lay the stuffed cabbage leaves in the crock of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker. You may get to a point in the cabbage where it’s difficult to get the leaves off the head in a whole leaf. That’s fine! Just stop and call it good.
Once all the cabbage rolls are done and layered in the slow cooker, pour the tomato sauce over the rolls. Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn it on low. You can also cook on high if you are in a hurry just cut the time in half.
You can serve these immediately or save for later. They definitely get better with a little bit of sitting and make great leftovers.
Check out all the recipes in the 30 Day Slow Cooking Challenge!
Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce

Stuff cabbage leaves with beef and rice and simmer in a tomato sauce all day long, this comfort food makes enough to feed families.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cabbage
- 1/2 cup converted long grain rice (Uncle Ben's brand is converted)
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped fine
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 large egg, well beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 (15 oz.) can diced Italian seasoned tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- COOK THE CABBAGE: Fill a large pot three quarters full of water and lightly salt. Place the pan over high heat and bring the water to a brisk boil. Add the cabbage, cover the pot and cook until the outer layers of the cabbage peel off easily. Remove the tender leaves and pick out 10 of the largest leaves. Remove the thick ribs in the center of each leaf. Set aside.
- PAR COOK THE RICE: Fill a medium saucepan three quarters full of water and lightly salt. Place the pan over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the rice. Cook for 5 minutes then drain and rinse under cold water and drain well again. Set aside.
- PREPARE FILLING: Melt the butter in a skillet placed over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.
- Place the onion and garlic into a mixing bowl. Stir in the par cooked rice from Step 2. Add the ground beef, egg, rosemary, salt and pepper and mix until well blended.
- MAKE THE ROLLS: Spread 1/3 CUP of the filling into the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaves over the filling and roll up the cabbage. Place the cabbage rolls, seam side down, into a 6 quart or larger slow cooker . Repeat until all the cabbage leaves and meat mixture are used up.
- MAKE SAUCE: In a mixing bowl stir together the tomatoes with their juice, brown sugar and lemon juice. Pour the mixture over the cabbage in the slow cooker.
- SLOW COOK: Cover and cook on low 6 hours or until the cabbage is fork tender.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1 rollAmount Per Serving: Calories: 377Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 717mgFiber: 9gSugar: 17gProtein: 26g
Yolene
February 7, 2020Have you ever tried soaking the cabbage in water? It becomes easier to remove the leafs. This dish is delicious. I’ve never tried cooking it in a crockpot. I am definitely trying it.
Thank you for sharing
Camille
March 14, 2020Thanks for the tip!
Karen B.
October 13, 2019Hi This recipe sounds amazing!! I was wondering can you omit the rice to cut the carbs? Or is the rice working as part of the bonding?
Camille
October 15, 2019Probably not. It’s just part of the recipe!
Denise
November 11, 2020I just made these & substituted rice cauliflower. I precooked the cauliflower about 4 minutes (frozen bag). It really tasted delicious!
Great recipe!
Camille
November 11, 2020Good to know that it didn’t get mushy! Thanks for the tip.
Lorna
June 26, 2019I’ve made this four times now and I love it,the first time I had no crushed tomatoes, so I used a can of Campbell’s tomato soup and it turned out great, the second time I had crushed tomatoes and it was watery, tasted great but something was missing ,so I make it with tomato soup, the soup and diced tomatoes give it the right thickness, right now I’m trying purple cabbage but I don’t recommend it, my stove looks like a Smurf exploded on it.lol.
PS thanks for the recipes.
Camille
June 26, 2019LOL! Smurfs! Thanks for the tip on using the soup!
Trese
April 21, 2019I made these yesterday and they were delicious. I panicked a little when I started making it bc the Uncle Bens rice I bought was the Minute rice and not the converted. If you make that mistake – just throw the minute rice in uncooked. After six hours in the crock pot, the rice was cooked and not mushy at all. Thanks for the recipe.
Camille
April 22, 2019Great tip on the rice – thank you!
Ashley
March 18, 2019I have made this recipe twice, it’s absolutely delicious. However the sauce has turned out a bit watery both times, I’ve followed the recipe exactly so I’m not sure why its turning out that way.. maybe from the ‘steam’ in the crockpot? But it’s a pretty noticable amount of water so I’m not sure that’s the cause…any thoughts?
Also thank you for the recipe, it really is quite delicious and I dont feel guilty eating it! 🙂
Camille
March 29, 2019The sauce is pretty thin. It’s not thick like a marinara. If you want a thicker sauce, I’d add a jar of spaghetti sauce at the very end.
Gail
January 7, 2019Can I freeze the leftovers
Camille
January 7, 2019I’ve never done it but I don’t see why not!
Cassie
December 4, 2018I’m confused about step two. Is the rice suppose to be cooked or just added the the meat mixture raw?
Camille
December 5, 2018You par cook the rice for 5 minutes. It must be converted rice (it takes longer to cook so it doesn’t turn to mush).
Cathy
November 16, 2018Just wondering, do you cook ahe rice first or addit uncooked?
Kathy DeRouchey
December 3, 2018I love stuffed cabbage, but this recipe confounds me. You say to add 1/3 of the mixture to each leaf. That would make 3 rolls, not 10. And then you answer the question about raw or cooked rice and say it’s raw…. when the recipe calls for boiling it for 5 minutes???
Have you ever cored out a cabbage head and stuffed the whole thing? Turn it over so the stuffed end is down. Then you simply cut the whole cooked head into 6ths or 8ths. It makes a very pretty presentation.
Camille
December 5, 2018Yes, you need to par cook the rice for 5 minutes before adding it to the meat. But it must be converted rice (Uncle Ben’s is converted rice). Put 1/3 CUP (not 1/3 of the mixture) in to each cabbage leaf. No, I haven’t stuffed a whole cabbage! Sounds like it’d make a fun family dish.
Eleanor Jacobs
October 26, 2018I am wondering if anyone has tried freezing these, I am cooking for 1 person (me)and usually always have leftovers
Suzanne Brett
November 7, 2018I have been making cabbage rolls for many years and I always freeze the leftovers. They are so delicious. No need to worry about freezing them.
Camille
November 10, 2018Thanks!
Kaitlynne
October 19, 2018These are delicious and so easy, a little trick my family did (growing up in a Irish/Italian household, we would add Italian sausage to the meet mixture and it always gave such a delicious spice and added a lot of flavor to the tomato sauce 🙂
Michael
September 29, 2018Cabbage rolls are wonderful!
Just the right amount of spiciness.
I plan on making these again – soon.
Sandy
September 18, 2018I love how you write your recipes…so sweet and “real”. Please keep up the good work.
Camille
September 18, 2018Thank you! 🙂 I’m a real mom making real food. 🙂
Terri Tschetter
September 27, 2019Could you use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Camille
October 1, 2019Sure!
Sarah G
October 30, 2019I have and it’s delicious!
eduardo
September 10, 2018Yo los preparo casi de las misma manera pero, con menos carne y más arroz y otros vegetales como el morron rojo o amarillo. Los sobrantes de repollo se colocan en el fondo de la olla con 2 o 3 rodajas de limón. Los acomodo en círculos y los cubro con una tapa de olla más pequeña y le coloco un elemento pesado (1 o 2 piedras) para que no se rompan. Cubro con agua o caldo hasta las tapa de la olla y los cocino por 35 a 40 minutos. Cuando algún arroz que este flotando pruebo y está listo. Los sirvo caliente con: pesto, aceite de oliva y limón o salsa roja (tomate). Espero que les sea útil.
Ronni
August 8, 2018This recipe have become my family’s favorite!! Thanks for sharing!
Camille
August 8, 2018I’m glad you like it!
Susy
April 10, 2018My Mom used to use a thin bacon rind to add flavor. I use real bacon and also we used sauercrut! I alternate bacon, then, cabbage roll, then sauercrut and last tomato sauce then start all over again! The flavor is outstanding.
Camille
April 13, 2018That sounds amazing!
Carol Foster
February 13, 2018Want to save this recipe but can’t find out have to save it.
Camille
February 13, 2018Hi Carol! You can print it, save it to Pinterest, or perhaps favorite it on your web browser.
suzy
January 26, 2018Cabbage rolls have always been a favorite of mine and I make them in the oven.I’m going to used the slow cooker next time!
sherry
January 24, 2018Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Jann Olson
January 21, 2018This sounds super yummy! Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup. I’m sure it’s not intentional, but I’m not seeing a link back to the party. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Judi Graber
January 21, 2018We love stuffed cabbage rolls – my Weight Watcher’s recipe is one of the most popular posts on my blog – go figure! Your version looks really good! Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday.
Miz Helen
January 20, 2018Your Cabbage Rolls are perfectly rolled, they look delicious!Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Heather
January 20, 2018I’ve never had these, but they sound simply amazing! Will have to pin this for later!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
January 20, 2018Delicious! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner Party.
Sharon@bluewillowhouse
January 19, 2018Your cabbage roll recipe sounds and looks delicious. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle. I am featuring your recipe at the party this week.
Donna Reidland
January 19, 2018I have thought about making cabbage rolls but just haven’t attempted it. I like things I can do in my slow cooker, so I’m pinning to give this one a try.
Deena Simair
January 17, 2018This looks way easier than the other ways I’ve tried making cabbage rolls. Thanks for linking up with the Blended Blog
Jess
January 15, 2018Pinned! Sounds so yummy!! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Peggy
December 17, 2017Delicious!!! I’ll use a bit less brown sugar next time, but this was definitely a winner! My daughter loves it!!!
Ruth Kirkey
November 20, 2017These were delicious. My husband said they were the best I’ve ever made!
Camille
November 20, 2017So glad you both liked them!
Teresa
November 18, 2017Going to try this haven’t had cabbage rolls in years.
Margaret caiola
November 16, 2017Looks yummy
Grandma Cindy
November 15, 2017Don’t waste the rest of the cabbage. Cut it into shreds with a sharp knife and line the bottom of the crock pot before putting in the rolls. It wuill simmer away in the sauce and is absolutely delish. You can also omit the brown sugar and added a small can of saurkraut, drained. Toss with the shredded cabbage, It adds a nice zip to the recipe.
Camille
November 15, 2017Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Alicia
September 11, 2017Any advice on what to use the leftover boiled cabbage for? Thanks, this looks lovely! 🙂
Camille
September 12, 2017Coleslaw! Or you could use it to make homemade sauerkraut (which is on my to do list for someday!)
Alicia
September 12, 2017Thank you for such a quick reply! That’s very helpful 🙂
Renata
July 31, 2017Why is this recipe under “low carb”? It is not low carb. 42g of carb? It sounds good, but should be in a different catagory.
yvonne
July 9, 2017I bought the largest head of cabbage I could find so I’d have larger leaves. I also cut around the core at the bottom and steamed in the microwave. It was much easier to peel the leaves off. I also took the extra cabbage left over and added it to the crockpot to eat with the rolls.
Debbi
January 14, 2017I love cabbage rolls, but haven’t made them for many years. This got me thinking of a recipe called Bubble & Squeak which has all the ingredients & flavor of cabbage rolls without all the work. You cut up the cabbage & cook it all together in one pot. It would bubble when it cooked & the cabbage would squeak when you stirred the pot. I believe this is how it got it’s name. I think this could work in a crock pot as well.
Camille
January 17, 2017I love that! I will have to do some digging to see if I can find the recipe.
Vickie Geiger
October 25, 2016Core your whole head of cabbage and then stick it in the freezer overnight. Thaw the next day. Leaves peel off head easily.
Camille
October 26, 2016Great tip! Thank you!
Robert J Sicora
August 20, 2016I use my crock pot for a marinara sauce . Three 28oz.cans of Peeled Plum Italian Style Tomatoes , two 14.5 oz.cans of Stewed Tomatoes Italian Recipe , two 8oz. cans of sauce , and one 8oz. can of paste . Salt, pepper, 2 tbsp. sugar(brown) , 2 large leafs of basil cut up fine or 1 tbsp. of dried basil , 1 tbsp. of dried oregano , 1 med. onion cut up fine , 2 cloves of garlic cut up fine . Cook on high for two hours then use a masher to break down plum and stewed tomatoes . Simmer on low for three hours . Use a large spoon to draw off thin liquid . This will yield a much thicker sauce .
Frugal Hausfrau
July 5, 2016These look really good, Camille! I love love love cabbage rolls and never thought to make them in a slow cooker!!
Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Shannon
July 2, 2016I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love cooking in my slowcooker and adore cabbage rolls!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Jennifer
July 2, 2016I love cabbage rolls but never thought to make them in a slow cooker. YUMMY!
I’ll have to give this a try!
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Joanne Viola
July 2, 2016Stuffed cabbage is one of our family’s favorites. My mom always cooked hers on top of the stove in a Dutch oven. Definitely going to try this! So glad you shared it!!!
Audrey
June 29, 2016Headslap! If I made this in the slow cooker, I could move it outside and not “stink up the house like my mom always did” as my husband says. And that is why I have never thought about making them until now.
Camille
June 30, 2016Ha ha! Yes! My mom used to make kapusta (Polish sauerkraut) and I hated the way it made the house stink! Of course, now I love the smell. 🙂
Helen
June 26, 2016OMG – I lov Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner Sunday Link up!e cabbage rolls but I’m too lazy to do all the pan cooking – in a slow cooker?? Oh yeah!!
Helen
June 26, 2016And Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner Sunday Link up! (got so excited about the recipe I forgot this part of my comment)
Trish
June 18, 2016I usually cook these on the stove top for a long, long time but I have you keep checking to make sure there’s enough liquid in the pot – never thought of using the slow cooker. Makes a lot of sense and it’s much easier just put the rolls in and let it go. No more running back and forth to the kitchen. What a great idea. Thanks.
Camille
June 18, 2016Ah! Yes, I could see that happening on the stove top. Glad to save you some running! 😉