If you're looking for a hearty, flavorful meal, my Instant Pot Kielbasa and Cabbage is a real winner! This classic combo of cabbage and sausage cooks up quickly and easily in the Instant Pot, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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Why This Recipe Works
- Hearty and Comforting: Instant Pot Kielbasa And Cabbage is packed with hearty ingredients like kielbasa, potatoes, and cabbage, making it a comforting meal for any day.
- Quick and Easy: The Instant Pot makes this Kielbasa And Cabbage recipe quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful and Tangy: The combination of kielbasa, cabbage, and apple cider vinegar creates a deliciously tangy and savory flavor profile.
🥘 Ingredients
- Red potatoes: Scrubbed and halved for a hearty base.
- Onion: Chopped for added flavor and aroma.
- Cabbage: Cored and cut into 2-inch pieces for a tender texture.
- Chicken broth: Provides a rich and savory cooking liquid.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy kick to balance the flavors of the recipe
- Dried thyme: Infuses a subtle herbal note.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste for balanced seasoning.
- Butter: Cut into pats to add richness and flavor to dish.
- Kielbasa: Sliced to add smoky, savory goodness.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Replace kielbasa with plant-based sausage and add extra veggies like bell peppers and zucchini. Stir in a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese at the end for a creamy finish to the dish.
- Smoky Green Bean Delight: Combine smoked sausage with canned green beans, Yukon Gold potatoes, and a hint of caraway seeds for a flavorful and hearty one-pot meal.
- Potato Heat Infusion: Introduce a spicy twist to the recipe with fresh green beans, brown sugar, cubed potatoes, and a generous sprinkle of paprika or hot sauce to elevate the flavors with a fiery and satisfying heat.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Kielbasa And Cabbage
Step One: Chop the red potatoes, slice the onion, chop the cabbage, and slice the kielbasa into bite-sized pieces.
Step Two: Dump the red potatoes, onion, cabbage, and kielbasa into the pressure cooker pot.
Step Three: Top the ingredients with butter, chicken broth, vinegar, thyme, salt, and pepper. Place the lid on the pressure cooker, set the valve to sealing, and select the "manual" or "pressure cook" setting for 5 minutes.
Step Four: After cooking, allow a 10-minute natural release of pressure before opening the pressure cooker. Gently toss the ingredients together in the pot, then serve up your delicious Instant Pot Kielbasa and Cabbage!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Sauté for Flavor: Consider sautéing the kielbasa and onions before pressure cooking to enhance their flavors.
- Let Flavors Marinate: For even more flavor, allow the dish to sit for a few minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld together.
💭 FAQs
Kielbasa is a type of Polish sausage that is popular in many countries. The word literally means sausage in Polish. Kielbasa can be made from a variety of meats, including pork, beef, turkey, and lamb. It is often flavored with garlic, marjoram, and other spices, which give it a distinct, savory taste.
There are many types of kielbasa, each with its own unique preparation and flavor profile. Some common varieties include:
Kiełbasa Biała (White Sausage): A fresh, uncooked sausage made with pork, garlic, and spices.
Kiełbasa Krakowska (Krakow Sausage): A smoked sausage made with lean pork and a few spices, often served sliced.
Kiełbasa Wiejska (Country Sausage): A smoked sausage made with pork and beef, known for its strong garlic flavor.
Yes, you can use frozen kielbasa. However, it's best to thaw it first for more even cooking and better flavor. If you use it frozen, you will need to add 2 extra minutes to the pressure cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the best sides to serve with Instant Pot Kielbasa and Cabbage:
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a comforting and hearty base for the savory flavors of the Instant Pot cabbage and kielbasa. You can even mix in some grated cheese or chopped herbs for extra flavor.
- Rye Bread or Soft Pretzels: Serve slices of hearty rye bread or soft pretzels on the side for dipping into the flavorful broth from the dish. The bread's earthy flavor and chewy texture complement the richness of this Instant Pot sausage recipe.
- German Potato Salad: This tangy and slightly sweet potato salad, made with bacon, onions, and a vinegar-based dressing, pairs perfectly with the smoky flavors of the Polish sausage and cabbage. Plus, it's served cold, making it a refreshing contrast to the warm main dish.
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Instant Pot Kielbasa And Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Pound Red Potatoes scrubbed and halved
- 1 Onion chopped
- 1 Medium Head Cabbage cored and cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1 ½ Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Thyme
- Salt And Black Pepper to taste
- ¼ Cup 1 stick butter, cut into pats
- 1 14 ounce package kielbasa, sliced
Instructions
- Chop the red potatoes, slice the onion, chop the cabbage, and slice the kielbasa into bite-sized pieces.
- Dump the red potatoes, onion, cabbage, and kielbasa into the electric pressure cooker pot.
- Top the ingredients with butter, chicken broth, vinegar, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker, set the valve to sealing, and select the "manual" or "pressure cook" setting for 5 minutes.
- After cooking, allow a 10-minute natural release of pressure before opening the pressure cooker.
- Gently toss the ingredients together in the pot, then serve up your delicious Instant Pot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut!