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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

    By: Jessica · Posted: Oct 20, 2019 · Updated: Jan 12, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 47 comments
    5 from 37 votes

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


     

    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! We also add kielbasa to this slow cooker sausage casserole, and it has so much flavor!

    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.

    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 take 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?

    Side Dishes for Kielbasa and Cabbage

    • Caprese Chicken Sandwich
    • 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

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

    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 in a white bowl, on a fork
    Perfect leftover too!

    Recipe

    Cabbage and kielbasa cooked 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 37 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 minutes mins
    Total Time 9 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 264 kcal

    Video

    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

    Instructions
     

    • Chop up cabbage in one 1 inch pieces. Set aside.
    • Cut up kielbasa in to ½ 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 ½ teaspoon black pepper) and stir.
    • Serve immediately or remove from Instant Pot insert, so the cabbage stops cooking and doesn't get mushy!

    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!

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    Comments

      5 from 37 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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    1. Susan says

      December 09, 2023 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      I have always cooked noodles and added at the end. We also like the addition of sour cream after you remove from heat. We make this a creamy dish. Also lots of pepper

      Reply
    2. Garold Jennings says

      October 31, 2023 at 1:01 pm

      5 stars
      This was an awesome and easy recipe…I followed recipe exactly except I added 1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper sprinkled over the kielbasa. It’s definitely a comfort food!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        November 01, 2023 at 8:46 am

        Yum! Adding crushed red pepper sounds great! I’d like that addition to the cabbage and kielbasa too.

        Reply
    3. Mimi says

      August 12, 2023 at 9:49 pm

      5 stars
      I made this yesterday and it was a hit! Such a simple, easy delicious meal. I baked fresh from the garden tomatoes with fresh shredded Parm/Mozzarella cheese as a side. And made a pan of Southern Cornbread. It was quick, easy and will be a great go-to country meal. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 13, 2023 at 2:05 pm

        That entire meal sounds AMAZING! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us, and I’m so glad that you liked it!

        Reply
    4. KAREN FLINT WOLF says

      August 02, 2023 at 4:42 pm

      Can I leave out the butter?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 03, 2023 at 10:21 am

        I’m sure you can! I haven’t tried that but I don’t see why not.

        Reply
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