Table of Contents
My Story and Why I Love Instant Pot Cabbage Recipes
A Taste of Two Worlds: My German-American Roots
Instant Pot cabbage takes me back to my childhood kitchen in Germany, where hearty dishes filled the air with rich aromas. My mother would simmer cabbage for hours, letting it absorb all the deep, savory flavors from onions, herbs, and broths.
When we moved to the United States, I carried those memories into my own cooking. But life here is fast-paced. That’s when the Instant Pot turns cabbage into a tender, flavorful dish. With it, I can recreate the comfort of my heritage without spending all day in the kitchen.
Instant Pot cabbage brings together the best of both my German upbringing and American convenience. It’s speedy, wholesome, and still brings back the traditional flavors I grew up with.
Instant Pot Cabbage: Comfort Food Reinvented
When I first tried making Instant Pot cabbage, I was amazed by the results. In just 5 minutes of cooking time, I could achieve tender, flavorful cabbage that reminded me of home. The Instant Pot locks in the moisture and blends the flavors beautifully, all while preserving nutrients.
What’s more, this dish is vegan, oil-free, and incredibly affordable. A simple head of cabbage, some onions, and vegetable broth are all you need. Herbs like oregano and thyme add layers of flavor without making the dish heavy.
It’s perfect as a side dish, but honestly, I’ve enjoyed it many times as a full meal with some crusty bread or alongside my favorite vegan entrees. steamed cabbage instant pot has truly earned its spot in my weekly meal rotation.
If you’re looking for more plant-based Instant Pot ideas, my site has several options like Quick & Juicy Frozen Corn on the Cob Instant Pot.
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Instant Pot Cabbage: Irresistibly Quick, Healthy & Bursting With Flavor
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Instant Pot cabbage recipe is quick, healthy, and full of flavor. Made with simple ingredients in under 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 head of green cabbage, roughly chopped 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 Tbsp. oregano ½ tsp. thyme Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to saute and let it heat completely.
- Cook onions with 1 Tbsp. of broth for 2-3 minutes.
- Add oregano and thyme, stir for 1 minute.
- Switch to Manual, add remaining baroth and chopped cabbage.
- Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Allow natural or quick pressure release.
- Remove lid, season with salt and pepper, stir and serve.
Notes
Letting the pressure release naturally allows flavors to blend better.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 21.8 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
How to Make Instant Pot Cabbage Perfectly
Simple Ingredients for Instant Pot Cabbage
The beauty of making Instant Pot cabbage is how simple it is. You don’t need a pantry full of exotic items—just a handful of ingredients that come together to create something truly satisfying. For this Instant Pot cabbage recipe, you’ll need one head of green cabbage, chopped into large pieces.
For the best pressure cooker cabbage, pick a fresh, firm head with bright, vibrant leaves. The next essential ingredient is one diced onion, which brings a subtle sweetness as it cooks. Two cups of low-sodium vegetable broth provide the flavorful liquid base while keeping the dish light. To elevate the flavor, oregano and thyme are key players, with one tablespoon of oregano and half a teaspoon of thyme adding that warm, herbal depth.
Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. These simple ingredients ensure that your Instant Pot cabbage is both nutritious and flavorful. If you enjoy exploring Instant Pot recipes, you might also love my Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes or my popular Instant Pot Carrot Soup.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Start by switching your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Allow it to fully heat up before adding your diced onions along with one tablespoon of vegetable broth.
Stir the onions and let them cook for about 2-3 minutes until they’re soft and translucent. This step builds a flavorful foundation for the Instant Pot cabbage. Next, sprinkle in the oregano and thyme, stirring for another minute to release their aromas. Once the herbs are fragrant, switch the Instant Pot to the Manual setting.
Add the remaining vegetable broth, then toss in the chopped cabbage. Secure the lid and turn the venting knob to the sealing position.
Next, cook your Instant Pot cabbage on high pressure for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, you can let the pressure release naturally, allowing the flavors to meld, or perform a quick release if you’re short on time.
After releasing the pressure, remove the lid, season with salt and pepper, give it a good stir, and serve. It’s really that easy to whip up Instant Pot cabbage that’s cozy and tasty. For more simple recipes, check out my Instant Pot Lentil Soup and Instant Pot Quinoa Salad.
Cooking Times and Flavor Secrets for Instant Pot Cabbage
How Long Does It Take to Cook Cabbage in an Instant Pot?
One of the most common questions is: how long do you cook cabbage in an Instant Pot? The beauty of Instant Pot cabbage is how quickly it cooks compared to stovetop methods. For To get tender, flavorful Instant Pot cabbage, set it to high pressure for 5 minutes.
This is the perfect sweet spot for most people—it softens the cabbage while allowing it to hold its structure and soak up all the delicious broth and seasonings. If you like your Instant Pot cabbage a bit firmer, set the cook time to 2–3 minutes. On the other hand, if you want your Instant Pot cabbage to be ultra-soft, almost melting into the broth, extend the cooking time to 6–7 minutes. Adjusting the cook time lets you get the exact texture you want.
For more quick Instant Pot recipes, check out my Instant Pot Collard Greens and Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts.
Flavor Tips: Herbs, Spices, and Natural Broth
The right flavors can turn simple cabbage recipes instant pot into something extraordinary. I always start with a quality low-sodium vegetable broth to serve as the flavor foundation. Sautéing the onions before pressure cooking enhances the natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cabbage.
Adding oregano and thyme gives the dish that homey, herbal warmth that reminds me of my German roots. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper after cooking to bring everything together. For a slight twist, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar after cooking.
This brightens the flavors and echoes the traditional method of adding vinegar to boiled cabbage. If you love flavor-packed side dishes, check out my Instant Pot Garlic Green Beans or Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli for more healthy options.
Common Questions and Pro Tips
Why Do You Put Vinegar in Cabbage When Boiling It?
You may wonder why some recipes call for vinegar when cooking cabbage. The answer lies in both tradition and science. Adding a small splash of vinegar helps preserve the cabbage’s bright color, keeping it from turning an unappealing grayish hue.
It also adds a subtle tang that balances the natural sweetness of the cabbage, especially when paired with savory ingredients. While vinegar isn’t necessary for Instant Pot cabbage, I sometimes stir in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar after pressure cooking to brighten the overall flavor.
This quick addition gives your cabbage instant pot recipe a fresh, zesty finish without overpowering the dish.
How to Adjust Texture and Cooking Time
One of the best parts of cooking Instant Pot cabbage is how easily you can control the texture. If you’re serving it alongside firmer dishes like Instant Pot Vegan Meatloaf, you might prefer cabbage with a bit of bite. In that case, pressure cook for just 2-3 minutes.
For extra tender cabbage that almost melts into the broth, 6-7 minutes is ideal. Don’t forget, the size of your cabbage pieces matters too. Bigger chunks take a little longer to cook, but smaller pieces are done quicker.
And always allow for the Instant Pot’s natural pressure build-up, which adds around 10 minutes of total time. This flexibility makes instant pot steam cabbage perfect whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight meal or planning for a family gathering.
FAQ Section
How many minutes to cook cabbage in an Instant Pot?
For perfectly tender Instant Pot cabbage, cook it on high pressure for 5 minutes. This creates soft, flavorful cabbage without turning it mushy. If you prefer a crunchier texture, reduce the time to 2–3 minutes. For very soft cabbage, extend to 6–7 minutes.
How long to pressure cook a head of cabbage?
A whole head of chopped cabbage takes about 5 minutes at high pressure in the Instant Pot. Always chop the cabbage into manageable pieces for even cooking. Remember, total time includes 10–15 minutes for the pot to come to pressure.
How to cook cabbage in an Instant Pot video?
While I don’t have a video here, many Instant Pot cabbage tutorials online demonstrate the simple steps: sauté onions, add seasoning, pour in broth, add cabbage, and pressure cook for 5 minutes. This process takes minimal prep time with fantastic results.
Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it?
Vinegar helps preserve the cabbage’s bright color and adds a pleasant tang to balance the sweetness of the vegetable. While not essential for Instant Pot cabbage, a splash of apple cider vinegar after cooking enhances flavor beautifully.
Conclusion
Instant Pot cabbage has become one of my go-to recipes for quick, healthy comfort food. It’s simple, full of flavor, and ready in just minutes. With a handful of basic ingredients like cabbage, onion, vegetable broth, and a few herbs, you can create a side dish that feels both nourishing and satisfying.
The Instant Pot does all the hard work, allowing you to control the texture while locking in all the natural flavors. Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight or as part of a larger meal, Instant Pot cabbage delivers every time.
Now that you know exactly how easy and versatile it is, I hope you’ll make it a regular part of your kitchen routine.
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