Instant Pot Cabbage The Southern Soul Food Way
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Instant Pot cabbage is a game-changer in the kitchen. This modern cooking appliance allows you to prepare a quick, nutrient-rich vegetable dish that’s perfect for any meal, all in just a few minutes! Best of all, there’s no compromise on the ingredients, seasonings, or the beloved Southern soul food flavors!
Using a pressure cooker, the process transforms a simple head of cabbage into a tender, flavorful side dish in no time. A blend of spices—such as Old Bay seasoning, garlic, and a splash of apple cider vinegar—combined with the richness of butter creates a mouth-watering dish that will have your family asking for seconds and thirds!
Southern buttered cabbage in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot cabbage simplifies vegetable preparation, offering a speedy, flavorful side dish. It maximizes nutrient retention, highlighting the health benefits of cabbage. The medley of curated Southern soul food seasonings and spices elevate the humble cabbage to a family favorite!
Ingredients
What’s impressive is the ease and speed of preparing Instant Pot cabbage, as this method locks in the cabbage’s nutrients and what to add for flavor from the soul food seasonings, herbs, and spices, making it a healthier choice.
Measurements for the recipe can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Seasonings and spices – Old Bay, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes offer spicy, garlicky notes, and the salt and pepper balance and amplify all the flavors.
- Cabbage – A nutrient-rich vegetable, it’s the star in this Instant Pot meal, offering vitamins, fiber, and a hearty texture.
- Yellow onion – Brings a sweet, aromatic depth, intensifying the overall taste.
- Chicken broth – Homemade or store-bought, it enriches the cabbage with a savory, comforting flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds a tangy kick, enhancing the dish’s complexity.
- Butter – Lends a silky, luxurious mouthfeel, making each bite irresistible.
The soul food difference
Start by peeling the cabbage and slicing the onion before placing all ingredients into the Instant Pot, along with the vinegar, butter, and chicken broth. This choice base promises depth and body to the dish. The medley of herbs and seasonings delivered the legendary soul food experience in minutes when pressure is cooked in this modern-day appliance with no sacrifice to the taste of this classic dish.
How to make cabbage in the Instant Pot
Start by peeling the cabbage and slicing the onion before placing all ingredients into the Instant Pot, along with the vinegar, butter, and chicken broth. This choice base promises depth and body to the dish. The medley of herbs and seasonings delivered the legendary soul food experience in minutes when pressure is cooked in this modern-day appliance with no sacrifice to this classic dish.
Step-by-step instructions with guided pictures are in the printable recipe card below.
- Coarsely chop the cabbage leaves using a food processor or knife.
- Add the shredded cabbage and all the ingredients into the Instant Pot.
- Sink the chopped cabbage into the liquid broth in the pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
- Allow a natural pressure release before opening the Instant Pot lid when the cooking is finished.
- Serve warm right out of the Instant Pot, or transfer to your favorite skillet for tabletop serving, and enjoy!
Watch the recipe video for how to make Instant Pot cabbage with key moments.
How to know when Instant Pot cabbage is done
Carefully taste a bite of the cabbage leaves. Be cautious, as they will be hot! If the leaves are very tender, the cabbage is done.
How to avoid overcooking cabbage in the Instant Pot
Using the Instant Pot, you only need to cook this Southern cabbage for 4 minutes on the high pressure-cook setting. Afterwards, allow for a natural pressure release for an additional 4 minutes. That’s all there is to it! You don’t have to worry about overcooking, thanks to the appliance’s precise cooking times.
What to serve with Instant Pot Southern cabbage
Here are a few suggestions for delicious pairings to complement your Southern cabbage dish: Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage, Southern-style whole chicken, or pineapple-glazed ham.
If you’d like more ideas, you can learn about additional options for serving with fried cabbage HERE.
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 4 pound cabbage 3-4 pound cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth or use vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup butter unsalted or vegan butter
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut out the cabbage's core and coarsely chop the leaves using a food processor or knife. (I remove the outer layer of cabbage leaves first and discard them before chopping.)
- Add the shredded cabbage and all the ingredients (onion, chicken apple cider vinegar, butter, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper) into the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
- Sink the chopped cabbage as much as you can into the liquid broth.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (ensure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
- When cooking is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 4 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Serve this Black folks Southern cabbage recipe warm right out of the Pot, or transfer to your favorite skillet for tabletop serving, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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This is the best and easiest cabbage recipe!
I am so happy I stumbled upon this recipe because I have been wanting to find multiple ways to actually use my instant pot. This recipe is perfect and the timing to prepare/ cook is even better. Thank you!!