Crockpot Smoked Sausage & Cabbage Soup

Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2-3 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low

Ingredients:

2 (12-14 ounce) packages Hillshire Farm smoked sausage (or other preferred brand), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1/2 large head green cabbage (about 3-4 cups chopped), cored and roughly chopped
1/4 cup Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute (or other erythritol-based brown sugar alternative)
4 cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 tablespoon “Flavor God Garlic Lovers Seasoning”)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

Prepare ingredients: Slice the smoked sausage into 1/2-inch rounds. Core and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion.
Combine in crockpot: Place the sliced sausage, chopped cabbage, and chopped onion into a 6-quart or larger crockpot.
Season: Sprinkle the Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute, garlic powder (or seasoning), black pepper, and salt evenly over the ingredients in the crockpot.
Add liquid: Pour the chicken broth over everything, ensuring the ingredients are mostly submerged.
Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the flavors have melded.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification

Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is low-carb. The main carbohydrate sources are the cabbage and onion, which are relatively low in carbs. By using a sugar substitute like Swerve, you’ve eliminated added sugars that would significantly increase the carb count.
Keto: This recipe is borderline keto, but could easily be made fully keto. While the ingredients are generally low-carb, the amount of cabbage and onion, especially for someone strictly tracking macros for ketosis, might be a bit high depending on their daily carb limit. Also, some smoked sausages can have hidden sugars or higher carb counts.
High Protein: Yes, this recipe is high protein. Smoked sausage is an excellent source of protein, making this soup very satisfying and beneficial for weight loss and muscle maintenance.