Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon
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This is the easiest and most delicious recipe for sautéed cabbage with bacon. A healthy and simple Instant Pot side dish.
Instant Pot Cabbage Recipe
Sautéed cabbage recipes can be hit or miss. There are a lot of cooking methods out there that will give you soggy cabbage leaves, some that produce tender cabbage, and others that seemingly leave you with raw cabbage!
That’s why I made it my mission to learn how to make cabbage in the Instant Pot. This incredibly simple recipe only has 5 ingredients, yet it is packed with plenty of flavors. So if you are constantly having your sauteed cabbage end up flopping, you’ve got to try this recipe.
My Instant Pot has come to the rescue more times than I can count. This simple pressure cooker makes the most amazing pork chops, chicken fajitas and even crab legs. And now, with this recipe, you can make the best cabbage side dish.
This veggies gets a bad reputation sometimes, but if you learn how to cook cabbage properly it can be irresistibly tasty!
Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite
Sautéed cabbage is a staple on St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s so good you’ll end up making it year-round! And this Instant Pot version is made super fast!
- Using the Instant Pot means the entire cooking process, from prep to serving, will only take about a half hour. You only need 1 minute of cook time with high pressure!
- The tasty bacon is what separates this recipe from all the other cabbage dishes. It gives this whole dish a big oomph in the flavor department.
- The cabbage comes out perfectly tender and not mushy. If you hate cabbage, it’s likely because you’ve never had it when it was cooked well.
- Cabbage is very budget friendly and you can make a large amount all at once. Great if you need an easy way to make a large side dish.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. It’s my favorite way to prepare cabbage, and I know you’re going to love it too. Here’s what you’ll need:
There are many different cabbage varieties, but I like to use green cabbage in this recipe.
I don’t recommend using pre-shredded cabbage, because the tiny pieces will get mushy. Grab a whole head of cabbage and chop it up yourself. It only adds a few more minutes, and it isn’t difficult to do.
Substitutions and Variations
You can substitute turkey bacon if you prefer. However, you’ll need to add 2-3 tablespoons of butter or bit of olive oil because it doesn’t render nearly as much fat. Coconut oil would work too.
You can use either chicken or vegetable broth. I make my own vegetable broth In the Instant Pot! Just make sure to use a flavorful broth so that the cabbage has flavor too.
Traditionally the Irish dish is cooked with butter, so feel free to substitute butter for the rendered bacon fat. Or, if you don’t want to use your IP, you could make fried cabbage with bacon!
Because bacon is high in sodium, I normally add little or no salt. Wait until tasting the finished dish before seasoning with salt, if desired.
How to Cook Cabbage in the Instant Pot
The great thing about learning how to cook cabbage is that it is really easy! So even if this is your first time making it, you have a great chance at success. Here’s how to make cabbage:
Prep the Cabbage Leaves
Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage. Then cut the raw cabbage into 4 quarters (wedges), and then cut away the core. Roughly chop the wedges into small pieces, about 1 inch in size.
Then dice the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the uncooked bacon into small pieces.
Cook the Bacon
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and then add the diced bacon and cook. Stir occasionally, until the bacon is crispy.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set it aside. Do not pour out the bacon grease.
If you aren’t going to immediately continue on to the next step and add the vegetables, then turn off the Instant Pot. This will keep the bacon grease from splattering everywhere.
Sauté and Deglaze
Add the cabbage, onion, and minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Saute them in the bacon grease for 3-5 minutes, stirring often.
Pour chicken broth or vegetable broth onto the sautéed cabbage and then use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom of the pan by scraping the brown bits from the bottom. This is where the flavor is at!!
Pressure Cook
Close the lid to the Instant Pot and then turn it to high pressure. Then set the time for 1 minute. It will take about 15 minutes for it to get up to pressure and begin counting down, which is just the right amount of time to cook the cabbage perfectly!
As soon as the cooking time is done, very carefully turn or press the steam release valve to allow to steam to release. This is called a Quick Pressure Release or QPR.
Once all the steam has been released, carefully open the lid. Then comes the best part!
Transfer the cabbage to a serving bowl or dish and sprinkle it with a little pepper to tast.
Just before you’re ready to serve, top the cabbage with the crispy bacon bits and toss everything together. This will help keep the bacon nice and crispy. Serve and enjoy!
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool completely, and then transfer to an airtight container or plastic bag. Store the cabbage in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I do not recommend freezing leftover sautéed cabbage.
My favorite way to reheat this cabbage is in a skillet. You don’t need to add oil to the pan. Simply saute the leftovers over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until heated through.
Get adventurous, and pair anything hearty alongside this yummy cabbage.
Tips for Success
- Wait until just before serving to add the crispy bacon. This prevents it from becoming soggy.
- Make this ahead of time by chopping all the vegetables and bacon up to 2 days in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
FAQ
It is not absolutely necessary to soak cabbage before cooking it. However, many people like to use this method because it can help take some of the pungent flavor away and keep the cabbage crispy. In this recipe, however, you do not need to soak the cabbage before cooking it!
Cabbage has loads health benefits! It is low in calories and rich in vitamin K, folate, vitamin c, and B6. It’s a dish you can feel good about serving up.
Instant Pot Cabbage
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 cups diced cabbage about ½ large head of cabbage
- ½ pound bacon or turkey bacon
- 1 onion
- ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 3 cloves garlic
- black pepper to taste, optional
- sea salt to taste, optional
Instructions
- Remove the outer leaves and core from the cabbage. Roughly chop into 1 inch pieces. Dice the onion. Mince the garlic. Dice the bacon into bite sized pieces.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the bacon and stir occasionally until the bacon is crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Do not pour out the bacon grease.
- Add the cabbage, onion, and garlic to the Instant Pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Turn the IP off. Place the lid on and close the pressure valve (Sealing). Manually set it to cook at High Pressure for 1 minute. Once the timer goes off, turn or press the steam release valve to allow to steam to release (Quick Pressure Release/QPR).
- Carefully open the lid. Transfer the cabbage to a bowl. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. Top with the bacon and gently toss together just before serving.
Notes
- Make ahead: Chop all the vegetables and bacon up to 2 days in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
- Store leftovers: Transfer the cooled leftover cabbage to an airtight container or bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Sauté the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. No oil is needed.
- To use turkey bacon, add 2-3 tablespoons of butter or oil because it doesn’t render nearly as much fat as pork bacon.
- I normally add little or no salt. Wait until tasting the finished dish before seasoning.
I don’t have an instapot and don’t plan on getting one. How can I make this stove top or in an air fryer.
Hi! You’ll need to cook it in a very large skillet or pot with a lid. 🙂 -Laura