Pro-tip: if you’re the owner of a slow-cooker you can also be the owner of a delicious home-cooked meal, even if you’ve spent the whole day working.

There’s nothing more comforting than being able to sit down to a warm meal after a long and busy day. Crockpots are excellent appliances to have because they can do the heavy lifting while you’re out and about.

Set-it-and-forget-it recipes have become beloved go-tos for many busy families who are still eager to share a meal at the end of the day. And the recipe we have today is a delightfully savory and delicious option for your next side-dish or main meal.

Enter slow-cooker cabbage and ham.

This very traditional Irish pairing is timeless and inviting. Cooked low and slow, the sweet cabbage becomes tender and melts in your mouth. And when it’s married to salty, smoky ham, it creates a delectable dish. In this recipe, you cook the cabbage whole, right in the slow-cooker, atop a bed of ham for something rather irresistible.

According to Wikipedia and DoChara:

“Historically, this dish was common fare in Irish homes as the ingredients were readily available as many families grew their own vegetables and reared their own pigs. It was considered nourishing and satisfying. The dish continues to be a very common meal in Ireland.”

Fortunately, this recipe takes only ten minutes to prepare and the total cook time is only three hours.

Cooktop Cove offers a description you couldn’t possibly resist:

“The ham is mixed with onions and garlic. As the cabbage slowly cooks, it releases its natural juices, and the ham slowly simmers and makes a sort of sauce. The fresh lemon juice brightens the whole dish, while the butter adds just the right amount of nuttiness.”

Are you sold? I know we are! Let’s cook it together!

The Ingredients:

2 cups small-diced ham
1 medium onion, small diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon pepper
1 head cabbage
3 tablespoons softened butter
¼ teaspoon salt

The Method:

1) Start by adding the ham, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper to a six-quart slow cooker. Mix together well.

2) Prepare the cabbage on a large work surface by removing the outer layers. Spread the butter all over the entire cabbage and sprinkle evenly with salt.

3) Place the cabbage in the center of the slow cooker, nestling it into the ham mixture.

4) Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on high for 3 hours. You will know the cabbage is ready and tender if it can easily be pierced with a fork.

5) To serve, remove the cabbage from the slow cooker and cut into halves and then into wedges. Serve each wedge with a spoon of the ham mixture.

Et voila! This simply irresistible, and very spring-like dinner could be yours in a matter of moments. The next time you’re trying to answer that infamous question about what to do for dinner – try this slow-cooker cabbage and ham and you won’t be disappointed.

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Sources: Cooktop Cove, DoChara