Instant Pot Cabbage

Instant Pot Cabbage is a simple recipe that’s done in mere minutes and won’t smell up your whole house while it cooks. Not just for St. Patrick’s Day, this tender, buttery cabbage is so, so easy, and a delicious side dish with everything from corned beef to kielbasa! This is literally the easiest way ever to make cabbage!

Why This Recipe Works

• If you’ve avoided cooking cabbage because it takes too long on the stove or stinks up your kitchen, then you are going to love this quick and Easy Instant Pot Cabbage Recipe! 
• A hands-off, easy cabbage recipe, and pressure cooking is a great way to get perfectly tender, buttery cabbage in just minutes.
• An easy side dish that goes with ham or corned beef, pork loin or chops, and sausages like brats or kielbasa.
• Leftovers can be used in soups and stews or used to make a breakfast or dinner hash.

🥣 Ingredients for Steamed Cabbage (Instant Pot)

This healthy side dish only calls for a handful of simple ingredients. Amounts are included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Chicken broth – Or vegetable broth or water.

Green cabbage – 1 head, roughly chopped. You can sub or add red cabbage for extra color and a slightly earthier taste.

Butter – Cut into pats.

Paprika – Adds a subtle, smoky flavor and beautiful color.

Salt – Use a seasoned salt for extra flavor.

Black pepper – Use fine ground for subtler flavor or fresh cracked pepper for bolder flavor.

👩‍🍳 How To Cook Cabbage In The Instant Pot 

Remove the outer leaves from the entire cabbage and use a sharp knife to chop your head of cabbage. Be sure to remove the core of the cabbage.

Pour the chicken broth (or water) into the Instant Pot.

Place the trivet inside the pot and stack the chopped cabbage on top.

Scatter the butter pats over the cabbage, then sprinkle your seasonings evenly across the top.

Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing position. Cook on High Pressure (Pressure Cook setting) for 5 minutes.

Once cooking time ends, perform a quick release. When the float valve drops, carefully remove the lid.

Carefully remove the trivet from the bottom of the pot and let the cabbage fall into the broth. Stir gently to coat with melted butter and seasonings. Serve immediately straight from the pot or transfer to a serving dish.

Garnish with optional parsley, a squeeze of lemon, or grated Parmesan for added flavor and color.

🍽️ What To Serve With Instant Pot Cabbage

• Main dishes: Pork chops, corned beef, Ham, kielbasa, sausage, or roast chicken.
• Sides: Mashed potatoes, roasted or sauteed carrots, or garlic bread.
• Healthy pairings: Baked salmon, quinoa, or lentils.
• For a full meal, serve with Instant Pot mashed potatoes or Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage.

🥣 What To Do With Leftover Cabbage

• Use as a topping for grilled sausages or bratwurst.
• Stir into soups or stews for some extra vegetables or make cabbage soup.
• Add to stir-fries or fried rice.
• Mix with noodles or rice for a quick comfort-food meal.
• Fry leftover cabbage with diced potatoes and leftover meat to turn into a cabbage hash.

🧊 How To Store + Freeze Leftover Cabbage

To Store

• Let cabbage cool completely.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warm.

To Freeze

• Allow leftover cabbage to cool fully, then transfer to a heavy-duty freezer bag or container, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 2 months. You can also freeze in individual servings.
• Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or sauté briefly in butter for best texture.

💡 Recipe Tips + Variations

• Add crisp bacon pieces or diced ham before adding cabbage for smoky flavor.
• Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Add vinegar: A splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice brightens the flavor.
• Add onion or garlic: Sauté a small diced onion or minced garlic in butter before adding the cabbage for extra depth and flavor.
• Make it vegetarian: Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and use plant-based butter or olive oil.

❓FAQs

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Asparagus
• Instant Pot Red Potatoes
• Easy Instant Pot Applesauce
• Perfect Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes