Y’all, if you’ve ever had my Southern cabbage cooked the old-school way, you’re gonna love this Instant Pot twist. I’ve been sharing tried-and-true comfort food recipes for over a decade, and this one hits every time. It's smoky, savory, and perfectly tender in minutes. It’s proof that you can keep all that down-home flavor, even on a busy weeknight.
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If you grew up eating Southern cabbage, you already know it’s not meant to be plain or crunchy. It should be tender, smoky, savory, and packed with flavor from top to bottom. The Instant Pot makes it easier than ever to recreate that traditional smothered cabbage texture while cutting the cook time down significantly, without sacrificing taste. I’ve spent a decade sharing Southern-inspired comfort food and pressure cooker recipes that focus on real flavor. This method focuses on layering seasoning, using the right cooking time, and building flavor from the start so your cabbage turns out well-seasoned and never bland.
What is Instant Pot Cabbage with Southern Style
Instant Pot Southern-style cabbage is a faster, easier way to make the classic smothered cabbage so many of us grew up eating. It’s loaded with smoked meat like bacon, sausage, or ham, plus onions, garlic, broth, and bold seasoning so every bite has flavor. Instead of simmering on the stove forever, the Instant Pot gets the cabbage tender and seasoned in a fraction of the time, without babysitting a pot.
Here’s the Tea and Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Cabbage Recipe
Southern cabbage is one of those dishes that looks simple, but the flavor is all about how you build it. The smoked meat does most of the heavy lifting, it seasons the cabbage as it cooks and creates that rich, savory broth at the bottom of the pot that Southern cooks treat like liquid gold. If your cabbage tastes flat, it usually means it needed more seasoning or more time to soak up those flavors. I walk you through every step.
Ingredients Needed for Instant Pot Cabbage
- Head of Cabbage
- Olive Oil
- Sausage
- Garlic
- Butter
- Broth
- Salt and Pepper
I love Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage, but I love good old school, southern cabbage, too! Growing up we have always enjoyed cabbage...even fried cabbage!
How to Cook Cabbage in Instant Pot
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prep the Cabbage: Remove the outer leaves, core the cabbage, and chop it into large chunks or shreds, however you like it.
- Sauté the Sausage: Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté. Add a drizzle of olive oil, then toss in the sliced sausage. Cook for about 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and starting to crisp up around the edges. That’s where the flavor starts, so don’t rush it.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Add minced garlic right into the pot and stir until fragrant. Then drop in the butter and let it melt, scraping up all those golden bits from the bottom.
- Add the Cabbage: Pile in the chopped cabbage. It’ll look like a lot, but it cooks down fast. Give it a quick stir to coat it in all that butter and sausage flavor.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in your broth (chicken or vegetable both work) and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir everything together, making sure some liquid settles at the bottom to prevent burning.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual or Pressure Cook. Once done, do a quick release to keep the cabbage tender but not mushy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give everything a good stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with a splash of the flavorful broth spooned over the top, it’s pure Southern comfort made simple.
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How To Cut the Cabbage
Slice the cabbage in half to create 2 portions. Slice the core/stem out of both. Then slice each piece in half. You should have 4 smaller chunks of cabbage. From there, slice each into smaller strips.
Instant Pot Cabbage Variations & Substitutions
- Bacon
- Andouille sausage
- Ham
- Ham hock
- Smoked turkey
- Turkey bacon
- Vegetable broth
- Chicken broth
- Beef broth
- Water with seasoning base or bouillon
- Cajun seasoning
- Creole seasoning
- Red pepper flakes
- Hot sauce
- Smoked paprika
- Apple cider vinegar
- Bell peppers
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Collard greens
- Ground sausage
- Shrimp
Serving Suggestions for Southern Style Cabbage
Southern cabbage fits right in with comfort food meals, BBQ spreads, and Sunday dinner plates. It’s versatile enough to be a side dish or bulked up into a full meal depending on what you pair with it. You’ll definitely love it with my fried chicken recipe, fried pork chops, Traeger ribs, and Southern baked mac and cheese.
Southern Style Cabbage Recipe FAQs
Let the cabbage cool completely before storing. This helps prevent excess moisture buildup and keeps the texture from getting soggy. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes, you can swap in other types of cabbage. Green cabbage is the most traditional for Southern-style cabbage because it holds up well to pressure cooking and absorbs seasoning nicely, but other varieties work too. Just know the texture and flavor may change slightly. Red cabbage and Napa cabbage will work.
Yes, Southern-style cabbage is actually one of those dishes that tastes even better after it sits. The cabbage has more time to soak up the seasoning and smoky flavor from the broth and meat.
You can make it up to 3 to 4 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep some of the broth with the cabbage because that helps keep everything moist and flavorful.
Swap the meat for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and add ingredients that bring that same bold, Southern-style flavor. Smoked paprika is a great option because it gives the cabbage that smoky taste without using meat. You can also add extra onions, garlic, Cajun or Creole seasoning, and a splash of apple cider vinegar to keep the flavor balanced and rich.
The Best Southern Style Cabbage in the Instant Pot
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Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice the cabbage in half to create 2 portions. Slice the core/stem out of both. Then slice each piece in half. You should have 4 smaller chunks of cabbage. From there, slice each into smaller strips.
- Place the Instant Pot on the saute function and add the olive oil when the pot is hot.
- Add the sliced sausage. Cook for 3-4 minutes until both sides are cooked through.
- Add in the garlic and stir.
- Add in the butter to the pan and allow it to melt. Deglaze the pan by scooping up the browned bits from the sausage along the bottom of the pan.
- Add the sliced cabbage and broth. The cabbage will take up most of the room of the Instant Pot. It will wilt down when it cooks.
- Close the pot and seal. Cook for 7 minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, quick release the steam.
- Open the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Taste repeatedly and adjust as necessary. Serve when cool.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
Cook the cabbage for 7 minutes with a quick release of steam. 7 minutes will produce really soft cabbage, southern and soul food style. If you want crisp cabbage, cut the cooking time in half.
I may be in the minority, but I love the smelled of cooked cabbage and sausage. It smells like dinnertime and it gets my stomach rumbling.
If you don't like it, you can try adding a teaspoon of white vinegar or a tablespoon of lemon juice to your pot when it cooks. You can read more about How to Get Rid of Cooked Cabbage Odor here.
Absolutely. Any smoked sausage works here, pork, turkey, beef, or even andouille for that extra Southern kick. Just make sure it’s fully cooked before adding the cabbage.
Smoked turkey necks, wings, or a little crumbled bacon take this dish straight into soul food territory.
Don’t overcook it, 7 minutes on high pressure with a quick release keeps it tender and just right.
What Dishes Go With Cabbage?
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Gumbo
Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans
Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Southern Homemade Cornbread
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Instant Pot Shrimp and Grits
Keto Low-Carb Smothered Pork Chops
Instant Pot Baked Beans
Okra and Tomatoes
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Get more Instant Pot Recipes and Southern Soul Food Recipes here.
Instant Pot Cabbage Freezer Tips
Properly stored (covered and sealed tightly), cooked cabbage will last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
You can freeze the cabbage for up to 8-9 months. Thaw the frozen cabbage overnight in the fridge.
Check out my stovetop Southern Cooked Cabbage recipe.
Lori says
Very tasty. It did to rest a bit to get the cabbage softer. Will try it with potatoes next time. Thank you for posting the recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Thanks for trying.
Aundi Jones says
Absolutely amazing, I followed the recipe exactly!thank you!!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it!
Chad says
Dope! Tried this a while back and enjoyed it! So much that I came back. Thanks!
staysnatched says
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Christie Campbell says
Delicious!! Super easy, fast and very good
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Jennifer says
The cabbage was delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Vicky says
Yummy, I made this for my husband and my self for supper. We ate it like a soup my husband had two bowl fulls. And it was so simple .
Thank you so much
staysnatched says
That is such a good idea!
Linda says
If your looking for quick cabbage recipe and this it. Easy to follow and flavorful! I added the red potatoes and it was amazing!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Orvina says
Made this last night with baked chicken and potatoes and it was sooo good! I thought I had made this recipe before but then I realized it was the green bean and/or the collard greens I was thinking of (which are both great!!). I used bacon instead of the sausage because that’s what I had on hand and it still came out delicious. It’s so flavorful and tender. This receipt is perfect! I can’t wait to try the fried cabbage recipe next!
staysnatched says
I always love to read your reviews!
Monica Cole says
SO easy, fast, and filling (my three favorites)! I have made this several times, both as a main course and side!
staysnatched says
Yay! I love to hear that!
Robert Pitts Jr says
Was looking for a light and nutritious meal sausage. Found your recipe and piqued my interest. Used my garden purple cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Sauted an onion with the sausage and garlic. Used chicken & apple sausage. Delish and healthy dish! Saw you Instant Pot gumbo recipe...
staysnatched says
It looks like that should be next on your list to make!
Alyssa says
I saw this on instagram and had to try it immediately. Made it that night and it was so easy and good that I made it again tonight 😂. I added lemon juice and cayenne with the broth to give it a little kick and it was amazing. My partner said that I cook a lot of good things and some have really stood out, this has been added to that short list. Thanks for sharing the recipe 💓.
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Amy says
This was so easy to make and delicious!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad to hear it.
Coby says
Delicious, fast, easy, and cheap to make! I served it alongside roasted Yukon gold potatoes to make it a meal. There are NO leftovers! My family scarfed it down! This one is definitely a winner!
staysnatched says
haha no leftovers. Love it.
sixfootglamazon says
This was a super simple yet rich recipe!
I had a half head of cabbage left over from St. Patrick's Day and used Private Selection (Kroger) Garlic sausage and chicken broth. I resisted the usual urge to add additional spices and aromatics, and I am sooo glad that I did! I barely needed to add salt because it was so flavorful!
Off to eat another bowl...will use an entire cabbage next time!
staysnatched says
Enjoy that bowl!
Kurt Damm says
Substituted one can of rotele hot & 1/4cup of beef broth instead of the 1.5 cups of broth.. I only cook mine for 4 minutes as I like my Cabbage not so soggy. Original recipie was great. This was exceptional.
staysnatched says
I'm glad it was exceptional.
Christina Smith says
NEED a quick & filling weeknight dinner? THIS is The One! As soon as the sausage & garlic started sauteing, my son exclaimed "It smells like HEAVEN- what are you cooking?!". Instant Pot is so much faster to get a mess of greens on the table. Brandi has definitely made me an IP convert!
staysnatched says
Awesome! I love to hear it.
Felicia says
This was so easy to make and it turned out delicious! I didn’t have sausage so I used bacon as one user mentioned. I can’t wait to try it with sausage.
Dee Denton says
Wonderful recipe that fits in with a keto type diet! Added onion to the saute and we loved it! Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome!