• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fantabulosity logo

  • Start Here
    • About Jessica
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Me
    • Collaborate
    • Resource Page
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers
    • Desserts
      • Cupcakes
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Dessert Salads
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Salad Recipes
      • Savory Salads
      • Pasta Salads
      • Dessert Salads
    • Snacks
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven Baked
    • No Bake
    • Smoked Recipes
  • Entertaining
    • Holidays
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Fourth of July
      • Mother’s Day
      • Father’s Day
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Birthday
    • Adult Themes
    • Girls Night
    • Kids
    • Gift Ideas
  • Home
    • Organization
      • Home Management Binder
      • Organize Your Life – Trello Training
      • Printables
    • Cleaning
    • “Must-Have” Products
    • DIY & Crafts
    • Decorating
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Beauty
      • Mom Fashion
      • Makeup + Beauty
      • Hair
      • Trunk Club
      • Kids
    • Blogging
      • Blog Mentor Services
      • How to Start a Blog Class
      • Grow Your Blog Video Course
    • Self Improvement
      • Marriage
      • Health + Fitness
      • Parenting
    • Travel
    • Family + Friends
  • Shop
    • Printables & Cookbook
    • Shop my Instagram
    • My Favorites
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start Here!
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • For the Home
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

    By: Jessica · Posted: Oct 20, 2019 · Updated: Sep 13, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Total Time: 9 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings

    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot: A quick and easy sausage and cabbage recipe that only takes 4 minutes in the pressure cooker.

    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

    With my husband doing low carb again, I decided to whip up a favorite low carb recipe of ours the other night… with a twist… by cooking it in the Instant Pot.

    I truly didn’t think that cooking kielbasa and cabbage could get any easier, but the Instant Pot made me a believer with this recipe as well.

    If you love cooking with the Instant Pot, then you’ll also love our favorite Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe and the Cheeseburger Macaroni that our kids adore.

    Quick Kielbasa and Cabbage Recipe

    When I set out to make this recipe, I knew I wanted to keep it as simple as it could be, and hoped that the few flavors I did use, would result in a TON of flavor… and I was RIGHT!

    Now, although it’s also quick to make sausage and cabbage on the stovetop, using the Instant Pot not only made it faster, but I believe it trapped in flavors that I don’t get when cooking on an open stovetop.

    Plus, the fact that this can be cooked FAST (as in 4 minutes fast) I knew it was a recipe I needed to share with all of you quick and easy dinner recipe lovers!

    How to Make Kielbasa and Cabbage

    You can find the full recipe and printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but I’d love to walk you through with steps/photos for extra tips too!

    Cabbage

    Wash and chop up a head of cabbage, discarding the core. If you aren’t sure how to core a cabbage, I found a great how-to core a cabbage video tutorial for you that will help, even if you don’t have the type of cabbage I’m using in this post.
    Although, I did core mine a little different than they did. It just depends on what tickles your fancy.

    Chop up your cabbage into bitesize pieces and set aside.

    Sliced Head of Cabbage to use in kielbasa and cabbage recipe in the instant pot
    Head of cabbage to chop

    Chicken Broth

    You can use regular store-bought chicken broth, homemade chicken broth or even make this instant chicken broth base that I’ve started using… because my mom did.

    That woman is a queen of cooking, so I always love to take notes in her kitchen!

    Chicken broth powder mixed with water for kielbasa and cabbage
    Chicken Broth

    Kielbasa (Smoked Sausage)

    Now for this recipe, I like to switch things up for the kielbasa at times, and grab a fun new smoked sausage if it’s on sale or a new flavor!

    I normally use kielbasa (hence the reason this is the recipe for kielbasa and cabbage) but when I bought the ingredients to shoot the photos this time, I couldn’t resist the andouille smoked sausage.

    Andouille tends to have a spicy kick to it, so if you have young eaters or those who aren’t fans of some “kick” then you’ll want to stick to kielbasa, polish sausage or regular smoked sausage.

    Andouille Sausage to use in this kielbasa cabbage instant pot recipe
    I chose to use andouille sausage instead of kielbasa when taking photos this time and it was GREAT too!

    Chop your kielbasa in to small, bite-size pieces and set aside!

    Chopped smoked sausage - kielbasa
    Chop your kielbasa (or smoked sausage)

    Butter

    In the Instant Pot, pot… pour your chicken broth and add a stick of sliced butter.

    Chicken broth and butter in instant pot
    Add chicken broth and butter to Instant Pot

    Next, pour your cabbage in to the pot, making sure to leave enough room for the sausage and enough room for the lid to screw on.

    If you have a really large cabbage, it could result in too much cabbage for the pot, so eyeing it is best.

    Chopped cabbage in instant pot
    Place chopped cabbage in Instant Pot

    Layer on the kielbasa, again, making sure there’s enough room for the lid to screw on. Ideally, you don’t want to stuff the pot so full that the food is touching the lid. So filling the pot to about the level I have here below will work!

    TIP: Placing the kielbasa or smoked sausage on top is KEY! During the cooking process, the juices from the meat drip down in to the cabbage for ultimate flavor!

    Chopped kielbasa and cabbage in the Instant pot to cook
    Place chopped kielbasa in the pressure cooker

    How Long to Cook Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

    You ready for the hard part? Place the lid on, turn the nozzle to seal, pressure cook on high, and turn the timer to 4 minutes.
    (Four minutes gives the cabbage a nice texture of cooked, but not soggy! However, if you prefer a super soft cabbage, you may want to do another minute.)

    Not hard at all, right?

    When the timer goes off, you want to “quick-release” the pressure, but turning the nozzle to “vent”! NOTE: This can burn your hand, so take precaution and use a dish towel or my all-time favorite heat resistant gloves for this!

    Do NOT remove the lid of the Instant Pot until the float valve goes down!

    Once you take the lid off, soak in the smells of dinnertime!

    Cooked kielbasa and cabbage in the pressure cooker
    Cooked kielbasa and cabbage

    Salt and Pepper (Optional)

    The kielbasa will have salt in it, so you may not need as much salt as you’d normally want, so salt and pepper to taste!

    We use this Himalayan salt (it’s our all-time favorite now because it’s fine grain and lasts for a really long time) and regular ground black pepper for this recipe.

    Salt and Pepper for smoked sausage and cabbage recipe
    Salt and Pepper
    Sprinkle salt and pepper on to cabbage and kielbasa
    Sprinkle in salt and pepper, to taste

    Mix together the kielbasa, cabbage, and spices and it’s ready to serve/eat!

    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot
    Kielbasa and Cabbage, ready to eat!

    What do you Serve with Kielbasa and Cabbage?

    You can keep it really easy and serve this alone (since you’re getting your protein, fats, and veggies) but if you’re like me, I like to have something else to go along with every main dish recipe… which is why I paired all of that for you in my cookbook!

    Side Dishes for Kielbasa and Cabbage

    • Caprese Grilled Cheese
    • Apple Salad
    • Garlic Roasted Broccoli
    • Baked Potato Wedges
    • Frozen Store-Bought Garlic Toast
    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot
    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

    How to Store Leftover Kielbasa and Cabbage

    This kielbasa and cabbage recipe does do pretty well, leftover. Know that the cabbage may get a little softer after reheating, but that’s why I also like having a crisper cabbage… to allow for leftovers!

    Kielbasa and Cabbage Recipe
    Cooked in 4 minutes and ready to eat!
    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

    Jessica Burgess
    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot: A quick and easy sausage and cabbage recipe that only takes 4 minutes in the pressure cooker.
    5 from 23 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 4 mins
    Total Time 9 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 264 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 head of cabbage cored and chopped
    • 1 13.5 oz kielbasa or smoked, polish sausage (more than 13.5 is ok!)
    • .5 cup salted butter sliced
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • salt to taste
    • pepper to taste
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Chop up cabbage in one 1 inch pieces. Set aside.
    • Cut up kielbasa in to 1/2 in – 1 in. pieces. Set aside.
    • Add chicken broth to the instant pot, and cut up a stick of butter in to slices and add to chicken broth.
    • Add in chopped cabbage, making sure to leave enough room for kielbasa.
    • Top with kielbasa, leaving enough room for the lid, and so the sausage does not touch the lid! No need to stir.
      (As the kielbasa cooks, the drippings will cook down in to the cabbage.)
    • Put the lid on, and turn the dial to "seal" and pressure cook on "high". Set the timer to 4 minutes.
    • When the timer ends, safely turn the vent to release the pressure (I use these heat resistant gloves). When the float valve goes down, it's safe to remove the lid.
    • Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste (I used about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper) and stir.
    • Serve immediately or remove from Instant Pot insert, so the cabbage stops cooking and doesn't get mushy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2cups | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 932IU | Vitamin C: 87mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords boiled eggs instant pot, kielbasa and cabbage, polish sausage, smoked sausage
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kielbasa and Cabbage in a white bowl, on a fork
    Perfect leftover too!
    « How to Sell on Amazon for Beginners
    Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes »

    Filed Under: Dinner Recipes, Instant Pot, Recipes

    Get my 5 Secrets to Get Dinner on the Table FAST!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann says

      October 26, 2019 at 4:08 am

      5 stars
      I remember that such a dish was often prepared in my family when I was a little girl. Though it is quite unusual and none of my friends ate it before. I saw these photos and felt nostalgic! I am happy to cook and eat this dish. By the way, I also cook it with the addition of tomato paste, so the taste is more piquant, in my opinion. Thank you for reminding! I love your blog.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        October 27, 2019 at 8:22 am

        Hi Ann!!! Awww, how fun that you find this nostalgic. I’m such a sucker for nostalgic. 😉 I love the idea of adding tomato paste!! Thank you so much for the sweet words too. You’re so sweet!

        Reply
    2. Sheila Grelk says

      January 01, 2020 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      Fix this today for lunch. My husband has to have cabbage on New Year Day. It was excellent. I would recommend this for everyone if you like cooked cabbage.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 02, 2020 at 9:23 am

        Oh Sheila, thank you SO much for the sweet words. I’m so glad that you and your husband liked it!! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jessica W. says

      March 04, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      Hello! We are trying this recipe today. It looks delicious. We always double our kielbasa. Would the cook time change ?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 04, 2020 at 7:34 pm

        Thank you! It should be just fine to double the kielbasa and keep the cook time the same. 🙂

        Reply
    4. David says

      May 06, 2020 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      Added a tablespoon of caraway seeds. Caraway seeds go very nicely with cabbage.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        May 07, 2020 at 7:11 am

        This is a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    5. Dianne Crockett says

      August 27, 2020 at 10:43 am

      5 stars
      I made this last night in my Ninja Foodi 8qt. I ended up doing 4 minutes pressure and used only 8 oz of noodles. I also added frozen peas to the mix. It was fantastic. I used to make this in a frying pan and my husband and I like it this way so much better. Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 29, 2020 at 6:58 am

        Awww that all sounds so good! I’m so glad that you liked it and thank you so much for taking the time to review it and let us know what you did!

        Reply
    6. Gail says

      September 02, 2020 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight. So good. Much easier than frying it. Cut up the cabbage and sausage, dump it in and let it rip. I may add 2 drops of liquid smoke next time. Thanks for a great recipe.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 04, 2020 at 3:05 pm

        Oooh! Adding liquid smoke sounds so good. We may have to try that too, thank you!

        Reply
        • Gail says

          September 14, 2020 at 7:41 pm

          5 stars
          Made it again. So good. Added a couple of drops of liquid smoke. Not enough. Next time I will use 1/2 teaspoon. If I increase it till it’s perfect, we will have lots of good meals to eat.

          Reply
          • Jessica says

            September 15, 2020 at 2:40 pm

            Oh yummmm!!! Keep us posted!!

            Reply
    7. Trixie says

      December 22, 2020 at 11:11 am

      Really like this recipe ! Would it be the same amount of time if I use small baby potatoes cut up in it ?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 23, 2020 at 12:14 pm

        Hi Trixie! I believe it would!!

        Reply
    8. Linda says

      March 07, 2021 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      Oh Jessica what a recipe! Had this for dinner tonight and had to force myself to stop eating it! I never alter recipes that I try, but I was feeling sassy tonight and added a layer of Garlic Parmesan perogies to the Instant Pot. They ended up like delicious steamed dumplings. With or without the perogies, 100% will be making this again and again. So simple, flavorful and comforting. Thank you SO much for sharing this recipe. Forget cooking kielbasa and cabbage on the stovetop ever again – LOL!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 07, 2021 at 10:02 pm

        Awww, haha! I’m so glad that you liked it as much as we do! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know and for leaving a review! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Donna says

      April 13, 2021 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious! I cooked for 5 minutes as I love overcooked cabbage!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 13, 2021 at 9:56 pm

        Wonderful!! This is great to hear, thank you for sharing and for the review!

        Reply
    10. joanie cartwright says

      July 16, 2021 at 1:19 am

      how can i do this in a crock pot?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 16, 2021 at 9:14 am

        I haven’t tried it in a slow cooker but it should take 2.5-3 hours to cook the cabbage and I would assume you could make it the same way with the same ingredients!

        Reply
    11. Rob says

      February 17, 2022 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and excellent recipe! So easy to make. I chopped the largest cabbage head that I could buy. I used only 1/2 stick unsalted butter (all I had) and added two chopped russet potatoes. This recipe will become a favorite in the comfort food category. BTW, I used an 8qt Foodi. TY!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 19, 2022 at 11:01 am

        Hi Rob! All of those changes sound amazing! I’m so glad you liked it and thank you for letting me know!

        Reply
    12. Barbara Sheman says

      March 07, 2022 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      We love this recipe. We do add a little yellow mustard and some garlic better than bullion instead of chicken broth. If the cabbage is cooked too much, next time, cut the cabbage into a little larger pieces.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 08, 2022 at 10:28 pm

        Hi Barbara! I love the idea of adding some yellow mustard to this recipe! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    13. Rachael says

      April 13, 2022 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and tasty, thank you!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Fantabulosity Blog: Lifestyle, Easy Recipes, Home Management

    Hi, I'm Jessica! Are you ready to add simplicity to your busy life? Here you'll find easy recipes, organization hacks, home & entertaining ideas...

    More about me →

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Strawberry Brownies Recipe
    • Shrimp Macaroni Salad
    • The BEST Oreo Dessert
    • Easy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Popular Recipes

    • The BEST Hamburgers in the Oven – Gone VIRAL!
    • Bread Pudding Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Recipe (With Video!)
    • Baked BBQ Pork Steaks Recipe in the Oven
    • The BEST Side Salad Recipe
    • The BEST Fried Shrimp Recipe
    • Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

    Categories

    Fantabulosity Blog Featured On Media

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Jessica
    • Contact
    • Collaborate
    • 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Easy Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Desserts

    How to Cook

    • Oven-Baked
    • Stove-Top
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot

    Privacy Policy |Accessibility Copyright © 2022 Fantabulosity | Terms & Conditions | FTC