• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

In the Kitch

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Mother's Day
  • Recipe Index
  • Guides
  • Tutorials
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Mother's Day
    • Recipe Index
    • Guides
    • Tutorials
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    In the Kitch » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Updated: Feb 6, 2025 · Published: Mar 3, 2021 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Irish Slow Cooker Cabbage & Bacon

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are out of luck in ideas for St. Patrick’s Day side dishes, this Irish cabbage and bacon recipe will save you on prep time. You can literally dump your ingredients into the slow cooker and let it cook for hours without constant supervision.

    Cooked cabbage and bacon in black bowls and 4 leaf clovers on the side.

    The chopped cabbage is soaked in chicken broth, bacon fat and white wine vinegar, giving a nice balance of salty and sour.

    I always serve slow cooker cabbage for St. Patrick's Day with corned beef brisket, mint grasshopper pie and a hot glass of Irish Coffee.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Cook Cabbage and Bacon
    • Serving Suggestions
    • How to Store Leftover Cabbage and Bacon
    • Reheating Instructions
    • More St. Patrick's Day Recipes to Consider
    • 📋Recipe

    Ingredients

    Raw cabbage, bacon and butter labeled on blue background.
    • green cabbage - You can use purple cabbage but the color it turns out when it's cooked is not as appetizing.
    • bacon - I like to use thick-cut bacon strips but you can use your favorite kind or whatever you have on hand.
    • white wine vinegar - You can substitute with apple cider vinegar.
    • butter - Butter is optional. It's delicious but leave it out if you don't want the extra calories.

    *Check the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts.

    How to Cook Cabbage and Bacon

    Raw green cabbage and butter in slow cooker.

    Step 1: Add the cabbage, vinegar, broth, butter, salt and pepper to the slow cooker.

    Raw bacon strips in pan with tongs.

    Step 2: Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, until golden-brown on both sides.

    Bacon grease in pan pouring into slow cooker with cabbage and bacon.

    Step 3: Add the bacon and the bacon grease to the slow cooker with the cabbage. Mix well.

    Cabbage and bacon in slow cooker with lid.

    Step 4: Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 3-4 hours, or until desired softness.

    Chef's Note: I like to give it another mix half way through.

    Cabbage and bacon in slow cooker with wooden spoon.

    Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste, if needed.

    Cooked cabbage and bacon in black bowl with forks on the side.

    Step 6: Serve the Irish cabbage and bacon side dish.

    Cooked cabbage and bacon in black bowl with fork.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Since this slow cooker cabbage and bacon is a side dish, it can be paired with many main dishes on St. Patrick’s Day. One of the most popular dishes is the Shepherd’s pie.
    • While a shepherd’s pie is delicious, corned beef is also a great meat to have with this recipe and that is what I tend to pair it with because I love corned beef.
    • Cabbage can be a great side dish to most chicken, beef, or pork main dishes. You could also combine it with another side, such as mashed potatoes or a potato galette.
    • As for drinks, one of the most well-known alcoholic beverages associated with Ireland is the classic Guinness. For a unique touch, turn your Guinness into a cocktail with this Black Fog recipe.

    How to Store Leftover Cabbage and Bacon

    Store any leftover, slow cooker cabbage and bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

    Reheating Instructions

    You can reheat the leftovers in a pot on the stove over medium heat or use the microwave. It is actually not recommended to reheat leftovers using the slow cooker.

    Cooked cabbage and bacon in black bowl.

    More St. Patrick's Day Recipes to Consider

    • Green peppermint whipped cream in glass with curled black spoon.
      Peppermint Whipped Cream
    • Pea purée in white dish with whole peas and olive oil on top.
      Sweet Pea Purée
    • Beef black beer stew on black plate with fresh dill.
      St. Patrick’s Day Beef and Guinness Stew
    • Beer cheese dip in a copper pot with bread sticks and a glass of beer on the side.
      Beer Cheese Dip

    If you tried this Irish Slow Cooker Cabbage and Bacon Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Cabbage and bacon in bowl.

    Irish Slow Cooker Cabbage & Bacon

    Joss Dyckson
    If you are out of luck in ideas for St. Patrick’s Day side dishes, this delicious, Irish slow cooker cabbage and bacon recipe will save you on prep time. The chopped cabbage is soaked in chicken broth, bacon fat and white wine vinegar, giving a nice balance of salty and sour.
    5 from 5 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Irish
    Servings 4
    Calories 266 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 6 cups green cabbage - cored and chopped into large squares
    • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
    • ½ cup chicken broth
    • 2 tablespoons butter - optional
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
    • 8 strips raw bacon - chopped into squares

    Instructions
     

    • Add the cabbage, vinegar, broth, butter, salt and pepper to the slow cooker.
      Raw green cabbage and butter in slow cooker.
    • Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, until golden-brown on both sides.
      Raw bacon strips in pan with tongs.
    • Add the bacon and the bacon grease to the slow cooker with the cabbage. Mix well.
      Bacon grease in pan pouring into slow cooker with cabbage and bacon.
    • Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 3-4 hours, or until desired softness. (I like to give it another mix half way through.) Season with salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
      Cabbage and bacon in slow cooker with lid.
    • Serve!
      Cooked cabbage and bacon in black bowl with fork.

    Equipment

    • Slow cooker

    Notes

    • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
    • You can reheat the leftovers in a pot on the stove over medium heat or use the microwave. It is not recommended to reheat using the slow cooker.
    • If you're doubling the recipe, it's going to need more time.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 266kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 7gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 949mgPotassium: 298mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 306IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Want to see our recipes in action?Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

    More Easy & Delicious Side Dish Recipes

    • Chickpea and salmon salad in bowl with lemon slices.
      Easy Chickpea Salmon Salad
    • Roasted beets and turnips in wooden serving bowl.
      Christmas Side Dish: Roasted Beet & Turnip Duo
    • Grilled cubed mango on wooden skewers.
      Grilled Mango Skewers
    • Risotto in bowl with asparagus and lemon zest.
      Electric Skillet Asparagus Risotto
    242 shares
    • Share119
    • Tweet
    • Email
    • Bluesky
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Joss says

      March 22, 2025 at 2:32 pm

      This is easy and delicious and my whole family enjoys it! It's an excellent side dish option for St. Patrick's Day.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Joss D author image.

    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

    More about me →

    Mother's Day Recipes

    • Spring white wine sangria in wine glass.
      Spring White Wine Sangria

    • Strawberry shortcake ice cream in martini glasses with syrup pouring out of spoon.
      Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

    • Lemon basil pasta with chicken and Parmesan cheese on plate.
      Lemon Basil Pasta (with Chicken)

    • Roasted white asparagus with capers and fresh dill.
      Roasted White Asparagus

    • Strawberry liqueur in jar with fresh strawberries on the side.
      Strawberry Liqueur

    • Iced lemon mousse in small jars.
      Iced Lemon Mousse

    Popular

    • Peanut butter soup in a speckled bowl.
      Peanut Butter Soup

    • Cake pop frosting in bowl with spatula.
      Cake Pop Frosting & Coating

    • Cake mix cake pops in small pails with sprinkles on top.
      How to Make Cake Pops with Cake Mix

    • Hamburger scrambled eggs in cast iron pan.
      Hamburger Scrambled Eggs

    • Electric skillet fried chicken in a dish.
      Electric Skillet Fried Chicken

    • Electric skillet pot roast with vegetables on serving tray.
      Electric Skillet Pot Roast

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    In the Kitch

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Statement

    About

    • About
    • The Team

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 In the Kitch

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.