The husband wasn’t home for dinner yesterday so I decided to have a little fun. Although, in hindsight, I think he would have liked this one.
My idea was a simple sausage and cabbage stew, kind of like this one but without the potatoes because I didn’t have any. Then I spied apples in my fruit basket and was inspired, pulling out some fun stuff for flavoring.
The result was spectacular! I could have eaten the whole batch. It was a big ole bowl of comfort. Little Guy pounded 2 sausage links but, as expected, VERY hesitant with the cabbage. I made him take his customary 1 bite and even though he said he didn’t like it I could tell it wasn’t THAT bad. Moms just know these things. ;)
The sausage really absorbed the flavor of everything and the whole dish had that slight tartness that goes great with cooked cabbage. 
My only change next time would be to try and stuff even more cabbage in the pot as it cooked down so much! I wish I had more to eat with the sausage because the two together made the perfect bite.
Here’s what I did…
- 1/2 large head of cabbage shredded
- 2 apples cored and cut into 6 wedges
- 2 small onion cut into wedges
- 1 lb package of Turkey Italian Sausage (mine were frozen)
- 1 12 oz can of beer (I used Coors Light)
- 1/2 tbsp molasses
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp of a good seedy mustard
Put the cabbage, onion, apple and sausage links in the crockpot.
Short side note: While I was cutting the apple someone was VERY curious!
He’s never liked apple so this was HUGE! Another reason whey I always involve the kids in the cooking. Even at this age. :)
Anyway, mix the beer, molasses, honey, vinegar and mustard together in a small bowl. Pour it over the ingredients in the crockpot.
Cook on high for 5 hours. (Low 7-8 should be fine as well.)
Open, give it a stir and take in the aroma!
Enjoy!
I served the sausage whole for myself but cut it for the kids. Servings size is tough on this one especially since I left the sausage whole. I’m estimating it to be 4 but that would mean 1.5 sausages per person which does seem about right. This is the kind of meal I just scoop and eat. :)
| Servings | Amt per Serving | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1.5 sausage links plus 1/4 of the cabbage | |||
| Calories | Fat | Fiber | WWPs | |
| 300 | 2g | 6g | old: 5 | new: 5 |
| Sugar | Sat Fat | Carbs | Protein | |
| 19g | 0g | 28g | 23g | |
Roni, do you think brussel sprouts quartered would work just like the cabbage?? i tend to have those on hand and to me they taste a lot like cabbage!
Hmm good question! I think they would even be cooked all the way through if you left them whole. I think I would like it, but the flavor of the sprout would be stronger. Go for it!
Holy smokes this looks ah-mazing..I know what’s for supper tomorrow :)
This sound really good but could I make it without the beer. My family has always soaked their brats over night in beer for family picnics and I don’t like the flavor.
Yum! Very Polish or German looking! I have a few great ‘repeat’ meals and this looks like it’ll make the short list!!!
Looks like another good one. Will be adding to the shopping list.
OMG! That looks amazing. My dh just decided he likes cabbage after years of not eating it, so guess what I’m making for dinner tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that the kids will eat it too.
This is in the crock pot right now! I substituted potato for the apple and apple wine for the beer, since I didn’t have the other ingredients. It was so easy to make – even with my toddler pulling on my pant leg! I’ll let you know how it turns out.
^^^ The apple wine substitution turned out delicious! And this stew made the house so fragrant as it cooked. I will be making it again soon.
I made this today Roni – It tastes amazing! I followed it to a tee – except I added a bit more honey/molasses.
Great recipe…..Thanks
I have reduced fat pork sausage that I’m going to use since it’s in the fridge – do you think I need to brown it in advance or is 5 hours in the crock pot sufficient to cook it?
It’s definitely enough time to cook it but browning would give it that crust if you like it. Mine were completely frozen and cooked up just fine.
What do you mean by seedy mustard? Is it something you made? Sounds awesome can’t wait to make!!
Amanda- I just mean a whole mustard, the ones with the round seeds in it, not frenches or anything. ;)
YUM. I made this tonight with apples, potatoes and a few sweet potatoes. It was a great.