Instant Pot Apple Cabbage Medley

Dive into a world of exquisite flavor with Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples, a dish that masterfully blends tart-sweet notes with a deeply savory undertone. This delightful recipe transforms humble ingredients into a spectacular side dish, perfect for any occasion, especially as a comforting fall staple or a standout addition to your Thanksgiving feast. The magic of the pressure cooker ensures tender cabbage and apples, infused with rich flavors, making it an effortlessly elegant addition to your culinary repertoire.

Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples: A Culinary Delight

For many, holiday meals are defined not just by the main course, but by the symphony of incredible side dishes that accompany it. I wholeheartedly agree! From creamy mashed potatoes to vibrant roasted vegetables, the possibilities for supporting the main event are truly endless. This Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples recipe embodies that spirit, offering a side dish that’s both deeply satisfying and refreshingly unique.

Why Cabbage is a Culinary Chameleon

Cabbage is an unsung hero in the kitchen, revered for its versatility, affordability, and ability to absorb and enhance a myriad of flavors. It pairs beautifully with so many ingredients and cuisines. I frequently incorporate it into diverse recipes, from the smoky notes of my Kalua Pork and the earthy depth of Borscht, to the crisp freshness of Coleslaw, and the hearty satisfaction of my Kielbasa, Cabbage, and Potato Soup. Its robust texture holds up well to various cooking methods, making it a reliable choice for everything from quick stir-fries to slow braises.

Today’s featured side dish celebrates the sturdy cabbage in a new light, harmoniously combined with crispy bacon, aromatic onion, sweet and tart apples, and a medley of other complementary flavors. The result is a truly enchanting Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples dish that hits all the right notes: sweet, tart, and savory, all in one glorious bite. I absolutely adore this dish; you should have seen my eagerness during the photoshoot today—I could barely wait to dig in! Its complex yet comforting profile makes it an instant favorite.

Understanding the Art of Braising

Braising is a classic cooking method celebrated for its ability to transform tough cuts of meat and hearty vegetables into incredibly tender and flavorful dishes. It’s fundamentally a two-stage process. First, the main ingredient—be it meat or a vegetable—is seared at high heat in a hot pan, creating a beautiful caramelized crust that locks in flavor and adds depth. This initial browning is crucial for developing rich, complex notes. Following the searing, a liquid (such as broth, wine, or cider) is introduced, bringing the dish to a simmer. The pot is then covered, and the food is allowed to cook slowly in this liquid over low heat, or in the oven, until it becomes wonderfully tender. This gentle, moist cooking environment breaks down connective tissues in meat and softens vegetables while infusing them with the liquid’s flavors.

The Instant Pot: A Modern Braising Marvel

The Instant Pot is remarkably well-suited for braising, streamlining what can often be a lengthy traditional process. Its built-in sauté feature allows you to perfectly execute the initial searing stage directly in the pot, eliminating the need for extra pans and simplifying cleanup. After browning your ingredients, you simply add your braising liquid, secure the lid, and let the pressure cooking function take over. The sealed, high-pressure environment drastically reduces cooking time while achieving the same fall-apart tenderness and deep flavor infusion that traditional braising is known for. It truly brings the best of both worlds: the flavor development of classic techniques with the speed and convenience of modern technology.

Crafting Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing this flavorful side dish in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward. Here’s how you can achieve perfectly braised cabbage and apples with minimal effort:

1. **Sauté the Bacon:** Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it’s deliciously crisp. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pot, leaving behind the rendered drippings, and set it aside to use as a garnish later.
2. **Sauté the Onion:** With the bacon drippings still in the pot, add the thinly sliced onion. Continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft and translucent. This step builds the foundational aromatic flavor for the dish.
3. **Add Cabbage, Apples, and Liquids:** Introduce the shredded cabbage, sliced apples, apple cider vinegar, and apple cider into the pot. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined and coated in the flavorful drippings.
4. **Pressure Cook:** Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the steam release knob is set to the Sealing position. Select the Pressure Cook (or Manual) setting and set the cooking time to 3 minutes for crisp-tender cabbage, or 4 minutes if you prefer a softer texture. Allow the pot to naturally come to pressure.
5. **Quick Release and Stir:** Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a Quick Release by turning the steam release knob to the Venting position. Once all the pressure has been released and the float valve drops, open the lid. Give the braised cabbage and apples a good stir to distribute the flavors.
6. **Season and Garnish:** Remove the whole cloves (if used, as per recipe ingredients). Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper to the pot. Stir well, then taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more sugar, salt, or pepper as needed to achieve your ideal balance of sweet, tart, and savory. Finally, garnish with the crispy, reserved bacon before serving hot.

Tips for Perfecting Your Braised Cabbage and Apples

• **Choose the Right Apples:** For a balanced tart-sweet flavor, consider using a mix of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji. This combination adds complexity to the dish.
• **Don’t Skimp on the Bacon:** The bacon drippings are key to the savory depth of this recipe. If you’re going meatless, use a good quality olive oil and consider a pinch of smoked paprika for a similar smoky flavor.
• **Layering Matters:** When adding the cabbage and apples, try to distribute them evenly. While pressure cooking ensures even heat, a good stir after adding the liquids helps to prevent any “burn” notice from the Instant Pot.
• **Customize Sweetness and Tartness:** The amount of sugar and apple cider vinegar can be adjusted to your liking. If your apples are very sweet, you might need less sugar. If you prefer a bolder tartness, add a little more vinegar at the end.
• **Deglaze for Extra Flavor:** After sautéing the onions, if there are any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, add a splash of apple cider or water and scrape them up with a wooden spoon. This “deglazing” incorporates all those flavorful bits into your dish.

Delicious Variations and Creative Additions

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with these variations:

• **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the onions for a subtle kick.
• **Herbaceous Notes:** A sprig of fresh thyme or a bay leaf added during pressure cooking can infuse an extra layer of aroma. Remove them before serving.
• **Vegetarian Option:** Omit the bacon and use olive oil for sautéing. Replace apple cider with vegetable broth for a delightful vegetarian or vegan side.
• **Additional Root Vegetables:** Carrots or parsnips, thinly sliced, can be added along with the cabbage and apples for extra sweetness and texture.
• **Warm Spices:** A tiny pinch of ground nutmeg or caraway seeds can complement the apple and cabbage flavors beautifully, particularly for a fall-themed dish.

Serving Suggestions for Braised Cabbage and Apples

Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of main courses:

• **Holiday Feasts:** It’s an exceptional alternative or complement to traditional sides for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Its vibrant flavor cuts through the richness of other holiday dishes.
• **Pork Dishes:** The classic pairing of cabbage and apples with pork is unparalleled. Serve it alongside roasted pork loin, pork chops, or even pulled pork.
• **Sausage:** A hearty sausage, whether smoked or fresh, finds a perfect partner in this tart-sweet side.
• **Poultry:** Roasted chicken or turkey benefits from the bright and savory notes of this dish.
• **Everyday Meals:** Don’t reserve this for special occasions! It’s a fantastic weeknight side for simple grilled meats or even as a light vegetarian main with a crusty bread.

Storage and Reheating

This dish makes wonderful leftovers! Store any remaining Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, in the microwave, or even back in your Instant Pot on the Sauté (low) setting until heated through. If it seems a little dry, add a splash of apple cider or water.

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5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples

By
Sandy Clifton

Instant Pot Braised Cabbage and Apples has a nice tart-sweet flavor, with a savory edge. Pressure cooker braised cabbage and apples is a perfect side dish!

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

17 minutes
mins

5 minutes
mins

Total:

32 minutes
mins

Servings:
8

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 4
  slices
  Thick Cut Bacon,
  chopped
• 1
  small
  Onion,
  thinly sliced
• 4
  Whole Cloves
• 1
  head
  Cabbage,
  shredded
• 2
  med
  Apples,
  peeled, cored, thinly sliced
• ½
  cup
  Apple Cider Vinegar
• ½
  cup
  Apple Cider
• 1-2
  Tbsp
  Sugar
  (more or less to taste)
• ½
  tsp
  Kosher Salt
  (more or less to taste)
• ¼
  tsp
  Pepper
  (more or less to taste)

Instructions

• Before you begin cooking, have all of the vegetables chopped, and the other ingredients ready to go.
• Turn on the Sauté setting and add the chopped bacon. Cook until crisp. Remove to a paper towel and set aside.
• Add the sliced onion to the bacon drippings and cook, stirring occasionally, until turning translucent.
• Add the cloves, shredded cabbage, apples, vinegar, and apple cider. Stir well.
• Place the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
• Cancel the Sauté setting. Then press the Pressure Cook or Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 3 minutes (4 if you like softer cabbage). The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
• When the cook cycle has ended, turn the knob to the Venting position to do a Quick Release of the remaining pressure/steam. When the pin in the lid drops down, open the lid and stir the cabbage.
• Remove the cloves.
• Add the salt and pepper, and 1 Tablespoon of the sugar and stir well. Taste and adjust any of these to suit your taste.
• Top with the reserved bacon and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories:
155
kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Side Dish

Cuisine:
American

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