Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage Recipe
Introduction
This Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage recipe is a quick and flavorful way to prepare tender cabbage with buttery, garlicky goodness. Perfect as a side dish, it combines simple ingredients for a comforting and bright meal addition.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cabbage (chopped into 1 inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth (or veggie broth)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Chopped butter, for serving
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the unsalted butter, chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, whole peppercorns, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Step 2: Add the chopped cabbage to the pot. Close and lock the lid, ensuring the valve is set to “Sealing.”
- Step 3: Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Step 4: When cooking is complete, press Cancel on the Instant Pot. Perform a quick release by carefully moving the valve to “Venting.”
- Step 5: Once all pressure is released, open the lid and stir the cabbage well.
- Step 6: Season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
- Step 7: Serve the cabbage with lemon wedges, a pat of butter, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley on top.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
- Use savoy cabbage or green cabbage depending on your texture preference.
- To deepen flavor, sauté the garlic in butter using the Instant Pot’s sauté function before adding the other ingredients.
Storage
Store leftover buttered cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to keep it moist.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cabbage for this recipe?
While fresh cabbage works best for texture, you can use frozen cabbage. Just reduce the cooking time slightly and avoid overcooking to prevent mushiness.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-sodium diet?
You can adjust the salt quantity or omit it altogether and rely on the broth’s seasoning. Using low-sodium broth helps control the overall sodium content.
PrintInstant Pot Buttered Cabbage Recipe
This Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage recipe delivers a flavorful, tender cabbage dish cooked quickly under pressure. Infused with garlic, lemon, and aromatic bay leaves, and enriched with unsalted butter, it’s a perfect side for any meal. The method ensures a soft yet vibrant texture, with rich buttery garlic flavor balanced by bright lemon and fresh parsley garnish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 head of cabbage, chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Liquids and Fats
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
Spices and Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- Additional butter, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Combine broth and seasonings: Add the chicken broth (or vegetable broth), unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, whole peppercorns, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the Instant Pot. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
- Add cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage to the Instant Pot on top of the broth mixture.
- Seal the Instant Pot: Close and lock the lid of the Instant Pot, ensuring that the pressure release valve is set to the “Sealing” position to prepare for pressure cooking.
- Pressure cook: Select the high pressure cooking mode and set the timer for 6 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to cook the cabbage under pressure.
- Release pressure: When cooking time is complete, press the Cancel button. Carefully perform a quick release by slowly turning the valve from “Sealing” to “Venting” to release all the steam before opening the lid.
- Stir cabbage: Open the lid and stir the cabbage gently to combine it well with the buttery broth and distribute the garlic and seasonings evenly.
- Season to taste: Adjust seasoning by adding salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, mixing again to incorporate the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the buttered cabbage hot with additional butter if desired, lemon wedges on the side, and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley on top for freshness and color.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version.
- If you prefer your cabbage crisper, reduce pressure cooking time to 4-5 minutes.
- Adding lemon juice brightens up the flavors and balances the richness of butter.
- Freshly chopped parsley adds both color and a fresh herbaceous note to the final dish.
- Quick pressure release is important to prevent overcooking and mushy cabbage.
- Can be served as a side dish with meats, fish, or vegetarian mains.
Keywords: Instant Pot cabbage recipe, buttered cabbage, pressure cooker cabbage, easy side dish, garlic butter cabbage, lemon cabbage
