Cabbage is a staple in many cuisines worldwide, but achieving the perfect texture and flavor can be challenging. With this Instant Pot cabbage recipe, you can get it just right every time while capturing that undeniable southern flavor.
(Originally posted on October 9, 2018; Updated on June 4, 2024.)
Cabbage is one of those foods that people eat all over the world. I believe it's part of nearly every cuisine on planet Earth. But I really dislike one thing: sad, mushy, bland cabbage! Well, I am from the South, so that's the lens through which I see food, and in my opinion, southern-style cabbage should be evenly cooked without being overly mushy. This Instant Pot cabbage takes all the guesswork out of getting the texture just right! And the flavor is undeniably southern in the best way.
Why This Recipe Works
- Consistent Texture: The Instant Pot ensures your cabbage is cooked evenly, avoiding the dreaded mushy texture.
- Hands-Free Cooking: Using the Instant Pot frees up your stove and hands, making this recipe more efficient than stove-top versions.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes minimal effort and time, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Southern Flavor: Infused with bacon fat, garlic, and thyme, this cabbage recipe brings a taste of the South to your table.
- Nutrient-Packed: Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and folate.
- Versatile Side Dish: Pairs well with a variety of main dishes, from chicken and beef to pork and seafood.
More Southern Instant Pot Recipes
Ingredients for Instant Pot Cabbage
- Yellow Onion (1 ½ cups, sliced with grain): Sautéed onions add sweetness and depth to the dish.
- Green Cabbage (1 head, roughly chopped, core removed): The star of the recipe, providing a crunchy texture and mild flavor.
- Bacon Fat (2 Tbsp.): Imparts a rich, smoky, quintessentially Southern flavor.
- Garlic (1 Tbsp., minced): Enhances the overall flavor with its pungent aroma and taste.
- Thyme Sprigs (6): Adds an earthy, herbal note.
- Bay Leaf (1): Provides a subtle depth of flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (1 Tbsp.): Balances the richness with a slight tang.
- Chicken Broth (1 cup): Infuses the cabbage with savory goodness.
- Sea Salt (1 tsp.): Enhances all the flavors in the dish.
How to Make Instant Pot Cabbage
And this is the AMAZING Result
Expert Tips
- Cut Onions with the Grain: This method creates strings that blend well with the cabbage.
- Break Up Cabbage Leaves: Ensures even cooking and better texture.
- Mix Thoroughly: Before locking the lid, mix the ingredients well for even distribution of flavors.
- Quick-Release Pressure: Prevents overcooking and maintains the perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use olive oil instead of bacon fat? Yes! You could also use butter.
Can I substitute dried thyme for fresh? I recommend using fresh thyme whenever possible. The flavor will always be better. However, you can use dried thyme in a pinch. I recommend using ¼ teaspoon dry thyme in this recipe when substituting for fresh.
Can I use other types of cabbage? Yes, but the cooking time may vary slightly.
What if I don’t have bacon fat? Substitute with butter or olive oil for a different, yet delicious flavor.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Yes, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and swap the bacon fat for olive oil.
★ Did you make this Instant Pot Cabbage?
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Instant Pot Cabbage with Southern Style
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups yellow onions sliced with grain
- 1 head of cabbage roughly chopped, core removed
- 2 Tbsp. bacon fat
- 1 Tbsp. garlic minced
- 6 thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- Cut onions with the grain to create strings.
- Place the cabbage on a large cutting board, core side up. Cut the cabbage into 3 large pieces to remove the core, then roughly chop into spoon-size pieces. Break up leaves into individual pieces.
- Set Instant Pot to sauté setting. Add bacon fat and let it melt. Add onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until just barely softened.
- Add garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and vinegar, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add cabbage, chicken broth, and salt to the pot. Mix thoroughly. Lock the lid and set the pressure to high for 2 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, quick-release the pressure. Remove the lid, discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs, mix again, and serve.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips
- Cut Onions with the Grain: This method creates strings that blend well with the cabbage.
- Break Up Cabbage Leaves: Ensures even cooking and better texture.
- Mix Thoroughly: Before locking the lid, mix the ingredients well for even distribution of flavors.
- Quick-Release Pressure: Prevents overcooking and maintains the perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use olive oil instead of bacon fat? Yes! You could also use butter. Can I substitute dried thyme for fresh? I recommend using fresh thyme whenever possible. The flavor will always be better. However, you can use dried thyme in a pinch. I recommend using ¼ teaspoon dry thyme in this recipe when substituting for fresh. Can I use other types of cabbage? Yes, but the cooking time may vary slightly. What if I don’t have bacon fat? Substitute with butter or olive oil for a different, yet delicious flavor. Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Yes, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and swap the bacon fat for olive oil.Nutrition
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Tiffany
Could I use olive oil in place of bacon fat? And dried thyme instead of fresh?
Gary
Of course. I'd suggest 1/4 tsp. of dried thyme.
Erika
Awesome! I threw in some Italian sausage I had to complete the meal. Great quick dinner! Thanks!
Kathryn
When do you add the Italian sausage?
Kathryn
Great recipe! My family loved it!
Becky
Very good recipe, we loved it!
Sylvia Cristina
Closest I've come to the 45min stove version. Thank you! Just didn't add thyme or bay leaf but was great and tender!
Rebekah Kirby
This was great! I'm not going to bother making it on the stove ever again.
Patti A Munch
Loved this cabbage recipe. Cooked up perfectly and tasted great!
sapat
The recipe calls for bacon fat, but it doesn't use bacon in the recipe. I don't keep bacon fat after the bacon is fried. What do you do?
Gary White
Fry up some bacon and keep the fat! (Just being silly.)
You can use olive oil (or really any oil you like). The only thing that will change is the flavor.
Jena
Lol
Chyne
The market in my area sells jarred bacon fat and jarred duck fat. See if your market has that. I love the flavor of bacon but I rarely eat bacon so I never have bacon grease. Lol.
Shanny
Love it
John Starnes
Wonderful and so quick. I added bacon and bacon fat. DELICIOUS!!!
Cara L.
Yum! WOW. I had this whole head of cabbage. I didn’t know what to do with. This was the right thing to do! I just left the bacon in it instead of using just the fat, and it was so tasty. I may have added more than a little splash of apple cider vinegar by accident but I really liked that too! Thanks a bunch!